How to Refinish Cement Statues

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Things You'll Need

  • Trisodium phosphate cleanser

  • Coarse plastic brush

  • Water hose

  • Rags

  • Heavy-duty fabric drop cloths

  • Acrylic latex primer

  • 2- to 4-inch nylon paintbrush

  • Epoxy paint

Prime the statue before you paint it.

Over time, a cement statue may tarnish. Breath new life into your statue by refinishing it with an attractive coating renowned for its ability to endure. Because cement statues are nonporous, they are ill-suited for new finishes. Promote a lasting finish by conditioning the statue with a primer base, or flaking is likely to occur. Identify potential problems before they arise, or you may end up with unacceptable results.

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Step 1

Scrub the cement statue with a coarse plastic brush soaked in trisodium phosphate cleanser. Rinse the cement with a water hose. Allow the statue to dry for three hours.

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Step 2

Cover the ground beneath the cement statue with heavy-duty fabric drop cloths.

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Step 3

Coat the clean cement statue with an acrylic latex primer, using a nylon brush. Brush with gentle strokes, smoothing sags and runs as they appear. Allow the statue to dry for three hours.

Step 4

Wash the brush with water.

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Step 5

Paint the cement statue just as you primed it. Use an enduring epoxy paint, or the finish may fail. Allow the statue to dry for three hours.

Tip

You may use a spray primer and spray paint if the cement statue is relatively small.

Warning

Never paint an unprimed cement statue, or the finish will peel.

Do not use latex paint on a cement statue, or the finish may flake.

Thoroughly clean the statue, or expect adhesion difficulties.

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