How to Repaint Cement Yard Art

Harsh weather is a main reason why paint fades off of yard art.

Cement yard art comes in all types. There are fountains, animals, angels, statuettes and gnomes, many of which come prepainted or are DIY painting projects. However, extreme weather conditions and the passage of time can cause paint to peel and the cement to chip, ruining the aesthetic. Luckily, there are simple steps to take to preserve and redo pieces.

Things You'll Need

• Lacquer
• Garden hose
• Scrub brush
• Toothbrush
• Towel
• Plaster
• Sand paper
• Outdoor house paint
• Varnish

Instructions

Precautions

1. Store yard art inside when extreme weather hits. Janet Colvin of Dave’s Garden warns that cold temperatures and moisture can be the biggest problems. For birdbaths, she encourages gardeners to remove fountain bowls and store them inside during the winter or rainy seasons or flip them over so that water or snow can’t pool in the basin.

2. Talk to someone at a local hardware store when purchasing new pieces. Get recommendations from employees about what products to use to lacquer the item right away, before bad weather arrives.

3. Avoid placing the items in parts of the yard where rain tends to gather, such as low-lying ground.

Preparations

1. Spray the yard art with water to wash away dangling paint chips, dirt and moss.

2. Take a scrub brush and gently remove any remaining debris.

3. Use a toothbrush to clean the grooves that might still have flecks of paint and grime. Once this is done, hose the object again to complete the cleaning process.

4. Dry the object thoroughly with a towel.

Instructions

1. Use plaster to fill in the cracked and chipped areas. It typically takes plaster 24 hours to dry.

2. Sand the art piece to remove any jagged edges and to create a smooth surface.

3. Purchase outdoor house paint to use as it is more durable. Oil pant is also resilient.

4. Apply a varnish to seal the paint and ensure it will last longer.

Tips & Warnings

• Many hardware chain stores let people return quart-size cans of paint that they didn’t finish using or are colors that don’t fit their tastes. These cans are cheaper. If the object is small enough, take it to a local hardware store and have an employee help with matching the paints.

• Take out any heaters or pumps when the weather gets cold and store them indoors. Otherwise the pumps could rupture if the weather goes from one extreme to the other.

References

• Garden Art: How Can I Protect and Preserve My Garden Art; Dave’s Garden

Resources

• SVJ Creative Designs