I enjoy recycling ugly things into beautiful things, especially garden decorations. So, when I spotted four weathered concrete statues in a thrift store last year, my “fix it” alarm sounded. Below is the step-by-step transformation. Follow my steps on your own weathered piece to produce a passable imitation of bronze.
Here is the forlorn foursome, positioned in the rear of a thrift store and priced to sell.
The Four Seasons in concrete, found at a thrift store for a few dollars each
After transporting them home (ugh–heavy!), I used water and a stiff brush (kitchen dish brush for larger areas and toothbrush for tight places) to scrub them clean of years of pollen, dirt, and dead moss. Any deep cracks were filled with epoxy. While the concrete was still damp, I painted them with a coat of black satin latex paint thinned with a little water. I experimented with flat and semi-gloss paint, but preferred the satin sheen. For your projects, start painting at the bottom of the piece and work to the top. Paint the bottom first to prevent ground moisture from seeping into the concrete. Applying black base paint while the item is damp will encourage the porous texture of the concrete to absorb the pigment rather than the color just resting on the surface.
After a vigorous scrubbing
Once the black paint is dry, use gold acrylic craft paint to highlight the raised details of the statues. I tried several different versions of gold and found that a champagne tone produced more believable results than a brighter. yellowish tone. For best results, use a dry-brush technique: Use either a flat or round paintbrush. I prefer a flat chip brush. Squeeze a few drops of paint onto a flat surface. Barely dampen the paintbrush bristles with paint, and then remove almost all the paint by passing the bristles over a piece of cardboard (preferred) or paper towel. The goal is to have just enough paint to leave a hint of color. Use the almost-dry brush to touch the areas where light hits the sculpture, the outermost points. Go light. More highlighting can be added later, if you decide the item needs more. Once you are satisfied with the appearance, use a clear, satin latex aerosol spray to preserve the finish for outdoor use.
Here are the Four Seasons, after spending a year outdoors. I think they appear as a passable imitation of bronze – at a bargain price.
