Garden statues made of concrete are prone to the damaging effects of harsh cold weather and hot, humid summer weather. High-quality concrete statues will, over time, begin to fade in color and beauty.
Repairing concrete statues will restore the lost beauty and vibrancy of your statue. To repair cracks in the statue, cement epoxy can be used to fill in the gap. Before applying the epoxy, clean off any excess dirt or debris. The epoxy takes 24 hours seat before painting the concrete statue.
Creating and maintaining my concrete statues has been a labor of love as an owner of several garden statues. Concrete garden statues are a beautiful addition to any space. Luckily, repairing concrete garden statues is a manageable task you can do independently.
Restoring the concrete artwork requires proper identification of the problem. Sometimes, the restoration process can be simply cleaning off dirt and mildew. In other instances, these repairs can be extensive if the damage is significant.
Identifying the problem is the first step in repairing your concrete art. Once the problem has been identified, you must apply the appropriate maintenance to resolve the issue. The right tools are needed to fix the problem.
The final result depends on the number of repairs and desired end goal. This article will cover everything you need to know about repairing concrete garden statues, including the required steps, tools, and materials.
How to Repair Concrete Garden Statues
Here are the tools and materials you’ll need to repair concrete garden statues
- Soft-bristled brush
- Water
- Paint
- Sealant
- Dry cloth/towel
- Base coat
- Clean of dirt and moss from Concrete Statues.
Cleaning the surface of the cement art piece is essential to remove any loose dirt and to inspect your art piece for any cracks or breaks you need to repair. Moss is typically on the surface and can be removed easily by following the steps below.
Use your garden hose to shower or mist the statue with water gently. Avoid using power washers due to the strength and power of the stream of water that can damage your statue’s surface.
Avoid using a hard bristled brush when scrubbing the statue’s surface, as this will create small ridges or microcracks that will result in a significant problem. Use a soft cloth or a sponge when washing the surface. You can use your hands to feel for cracks and remove debris on the surface.
Mix the water with dish soap before scrubbing the surface to ensure consistency. Be careful not to use harsh soap that can harm your concrete. Your standard dish soap is sufficient to get the job done.
Once the scrubbing is done, ensure the soap is sufficiently removed from the surface, and no bubbles are left. Have the piece dry in a warm place for at least 24 hours. The concrete needs to be set on a dry surface, not on a wet surface where water can wick through the concrete on the bottom, up into the piece.
Once completely dry, you can assess if it needs to be cleaned more, repainted, or resealed.
2. Remove Worn out Paint.
In certain instances, your cement art may need a new paint job. Over time the old paint may need to be touched up or replaced to restore the art piece to its original beauty.
Here are the steps to follow to remove old paint from your concrete art piece:
Use a coarse brush ( Not too coarse to scratch up your statue’s surface ) to remove any loose bits of dirt or paint. You want the bristles to bend about halfway when wet; it is too soft if they bend entirely flat.
Next, use a soft, dry cloth to help remove any bits still stuck on. Microfiber works amazingly well for this, but you can also use soft, disposable shop towels or an old washcloth or t-shirt.
You then want to use a paint remover (Preferably soy based) on any parts you wish to repaint/repair. Soy-based paint strippers are better at removing the paint while not compromising the concrete. Make sure to slather it on; if you put it on too thinly, you must do this step again.
After the amount of time the manufacturer recommends, use a throw-away rag to wipe down your piece.
Finally, wash your piece well with water, a gentle soap, and a soft rag.
3. Cleaning Concrete Art To Repair Cracks and Chipping.
When cleaning damaged pieces, you need to be extra careful not to worsen the damage. First, gently clean the entire piece with a bowl of water and gentle dish soap. Use a soft cloth to rub any loose pieces of dirt or paint off the piece.
Next, use a soft paintbrush to knock loose any pieces that will fall off shortly. Rinse the entire piece until the water runs clear with no bubbles. If you need to use a mold remover, now is the time. Allow the piece to dry completely for 24 hours in a warm, dry place.
Check to see if you got all the loose pieces off; if not, then repeat the process.
4. Seal off the crack.
Cement epoxy is recommended to seal of crack on the cement statue. Cement epoxy is an excellent selection to fill small cracks. Before applying the sealant, ensure that the surface is clean and dry.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions before applying the epoxy. Ensure to wear latex gloves before using the epoxy. Add the cement epoxy smoothly and as needed. Allow for the epoxy to dry for 24hrs before applying the paint.
Click on the link below for the best glue for sealing concrete cracks and breaks:
Best Glue For Concrete Statues
5. Apply a base coat.
The base coat prevents the paint from bubbling and chipping away when the paint is finally applied. The acrylic base coat allows moisture to pass through while resisting mass water penetration.
Concrete is known for wicking water when in contact with wet ground surfaces. The acrylic base coat has protection from algae and is also mildew resistant.
For perfect adherence to the base coat, get the statue surface wet. Use your sprinkler water to wet the concrete surface. Water is applied to ensure the paint stain is under the surface by absorbing the paint into the concrete, creating a seal.
6. Paint the Concrete Statue.
Acrylic concrete paint:The paint comes in various colors, protecting it from mold and mildew buildup. When applied, the paint is water-resistant and allows for easy cleaning.
Acrylic latex paints can be used for both indoor and outdoor cement art. The ability for the paint to soak into the concrete provides a bright and clean finish compared to spray painting. With its variety of colors, you can choose realistic colors for animal and holiday cement figurines.
Masonry Paint:The paint is mainly recommended for vertical concrete and brick walls. However, masonry paint has issues with soaking up water.
The durability of paint when exposed to water is lacking as the lifespan of the painted surface will be cut in half due to the pain of chipping and peeling. Therefore, the paint is recommended for indoor statues and figurines, not exposed to rain or placed in standing water.
Spray Paint:One of the cheapest means of painting your statue. Using a spray can be the best option if you are on a budget rather than looking for a clear finish. However, when the paint is applied to outdoor statues and figurines, the paint is susceptible to chipping and peeling. Adding a paint sealer will allow the spray paint to adhere to the statue and give them a cleaner finish.
Check out these related posts:
Simple guide on paints to use on concrete statues.
Simple guide on cleaning concrete statues.
How to restore concrete old concrete statues
How long do concrete statues last?