How to Paint Concrete Statues

Painting an old concrete statue can give it a cleaner look. You can also paint a new statue to match the decor of your patio or garden — just make sure it has been removed from its mold for at least three weeks before painting it. The process is much the same as other painting projects, which is good news: If your statute lives outdoors in extreme hot or cold temperatures, it may need occasional repainting. (This tutorial will also work for painting concrete floors, too.)

​Things You Need​

• Garden hose or bucket with water
• Soft-bristled brush
• Air hose or blow dryer
• Exterior latex concrete paint
• Mineral spirits
• Patio paint (optional)
• Concrete sealer
• Paint brush, sponge, roller, or paint sprayer

Wash your concrete statue with water using a garden hose or a bucket and a soft-bristled brush. Allow it to dry completely.

Blow leftover dust or concrete flakes off the statue with an air hose or blow dryer.

Lay the statue on its side, if possible, and use a paintbrush or paint sprayer to coat the underside of the statue’s base with exterior latex concrete paint, diluted 20 percent with mineral spirits. Allow the underside to dry before setting it upright. This step is optional.

Use a paintbrush, sponge, roller or paint sprayer to apply the same diluted paint to the surface of the statue as a base coat. Allow it to dry completely and apply a second diluted base coat.

Apply a finishing, full-strength (not diluted) top coat. For example, use a top coat that is darker or lighter than the base coat and, before it dries, wipe some of it away to reveal the base coat. This gives the statue a distressed look. You can also paint or stencil a design or pattern over the base coat using patio paint.

Allow the top coat to dry for 24 hours before sealing your concrete statue with a waterproof concrete sealer. (If your statue is small, you can buy the spray-can-size sealer.) Follow the directions on the sealer to apply correctly. It will help keep the colors you just painted bright, as well as repel moisture.

Allow the sealer to dry for 24 hours, and do not expose the painted concrete statue to moisture for another two days.

​TIPS:​ Paint your concrete statue only when the temperature is at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit and no more than 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Set your painted concrete statue on a well-drained surface like pebbles, rocks or patio blocks to prevent the base of the statue from absorbing ground moisture. This can make the paint peel and the concrete crumble.

Reseal your painted statue every year if painted with very bright colors; reseal less often if painted subtle colors.

​WARNING:​ Don’t use de-icing products or strong cleaning solvents on your painted concrete statue.