What preparations do I need to do to the concrete before I paint a concrete statue for outside and what type of paint should I use. Any help is appreciated.

We use Sherman Williams Exterior paint or any other good exterior paint. We generally prime it with a concrete primier from Sherman Williams first.

Is it best to power wash the statue first? He has been outdoors all of his life, and he has some nicks and cuts. What should I fill them in with? He is a jockey and is probably over 20years old. Thank-you

When we were in this business (5 years ago) we had two suppliers. One used automotive lacquers; one used latex enamels. Both got good results. In any case let the concrete cure at least thirty days before painting.

Dan wrote:

What preparations do I need to do to the concrete before I paint a concrete statue for outside and what type of paint should I use. Any help is appreciated.

Boy, have I looked and looked for a solution to this problem and have come up with the most wonderful paint that has fit my purpose. I have this large fountain bowl with a little boy and girl holding an umbrella and it was looking pretty ragged. I was directed to Ace Hardware and purchased UGL latex based DRYLOK masonry waterproofer white paint. However, didn't want the "white" and they wouldn't tint it to an aquamarine for me....took it to Sherwin Williams and with a little direction of black and blue tinting...what a color!! I painted it with only one coat and let me tell you, the masonry part of the paint is a delight and it blends right in with the concrete texture. The paint can be used for anything, in fact today, I am painting a pedestal that holds my gazing globe and it is looking wonderful. Only draw back??? You have to purchase a gallon as they don't come in quarts but sure you can find many uses or share with neighbors. This is my first posting but couldn't resist the chance to spread the good news. Good luck everyone, with your fountains and fish ponds.

I work at a statuary in missouri, and what we use is pretty much the same as the cheap acrilic paint you can get at walmart. (if you water it down JUST a bit, you can also use it in an airbrush). then when the statue has dryed for 24 hours, you can seal it with regular thompson's water sealer. it'll stay just as pretty as it was the day you painted for years.

i also have seen many people speak of curing times, we talked to our supplier for paint, and although it could be different for different paints, we only have to have a 2 day old statue to paint it.

whoo hoo, i helped =D

Anonymous wrote:

i also have seen many people speak of curing times, we talked to our supplier for paint, and although it could be different for different paints, we only have to have a 2 day old statue to paint it.

Unless you are working with thin pieces in the midst of the Summer in a dry environment, or putting thin or hollow pieces in a drying booth I would not wait only 2 days after they are out of the mold to seal them.

The thicker the piece the longer it takes to express the water out through the porous material.

If you are staining the pieces it is a different story, because the item remains porous.
The other information is if you do not lock the surface of the whole piece, water can express it self out from the lowest point if unsealed in a cool environment or highest point if in a hot environment.

Other wise you will either get bubbles in your paint or worse cracks in your cement.


I only say this because we had to learn this the hard way a few years ago, from a very few customer returns (6 months after shipping on a specialty fountains done in an expediated manner)
http://ArkahdiaArts.com

I'm using a 1-Part Epoxy Acrylic Concrete & Garage Floor Paint as a base coat for my statues. The paint is "tintable" , however I can't seem to find the "tint" for it, anyone know?