How to Antique Exterior Statues
Exterior statues are made from many different materials, including concrete, stone, marble or sandstone. Left to their own devices and the changing seasons, exterior statues will antique by themselves. But nothing stands out like a brand new statue in an established garden. Such statues draw too much attention to themselves and detract from their surroundings instead of blending in and adding aesthetic beauty to the garden. Help new statues along the road to antiquity and they'll soon look right at home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Clean water
- Bucket
- Brush
- Concrete sealer
- Paintbrush
- Latex concrete paint
- Latex exterior paint sealer
- Damp cloth
Instructions
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1
Wash the statue with clear water. Use a brush and water from a bucket, or use a garden hose.
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2
Apply a water-based concrete or stone sealer to seal the surface of the statue with a brush or cloth. Allow this to dry for 24 to 48 hours.
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3
Paint an exterior latex concrete paint in black or brown over the statue, then wipe off the excess with a damp cloth before it's had time to dry. Work on small areas at a time to avoid letting the paint dry. When the whole statue is covered, allow the paint to dry for 24 hours.
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4
Finish with coat of exterior latex sealer for concrete or stone.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Practice on a small area first to get the antique effect you like. Once you know how deep to make the color, work on the rest of the statue.
Apply and wipe off a second coat of latex paint if the first coat doesn't result in the color you want. Spread the paint thinly, applying less than you think you'll need. It is easier to add more later than to remove paint if you make it too heavy at the start.
Rinse and wring out the cloth after each wipe-down of the statue. The cloth should remove paint, not add it.
Determine what material your statue is made from before applying any sealants to the surface, since there are different products for stone and concrete.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
