Colors and stuff for garden projects.

13 years ago

About the colors: over the last few years I experimented with everything from cement additives to water colors. I tried all those colorants that others say, "you can't use that on cement". My conclusions: use what ever you think will work. Sometimes I paint with one color of a water-based acrylic when dry I apply a second color and sand it off to keep the "webbing" and or cracks. I use wood stain, shoe polish, candle wax, polyurethane, but my favorite is a transparent stain made by Krylon. It is so important to me because it goes on as a transparent brown that blends into many of the other colors. I am sure most this would not stay "in-tact" if exposed to harsh weather but I like to think of them as art. They do look good in a sheltered area or on a covered patio and if they fade or peel I'll just brush them off and re-apply the finish, In the end it doesn't matter as long as we can enjoy the creation process. Just remember to leave one surface unfinished so the cement can breathe.

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Comments (4)

Calamity_J
13 years ago
Thanks for the info Robert! I have some plans to make some concrete leaves and will wanna paint them....
shrillmtb
13 years ago
Thanks for the info! I've done a bit of experimenting with the acrylic paints, wood stains and additives too, but I haven't been real happy with the results so far. Most likely a result of my technique than the fault of the products used : ) Ah well, experimenting is fun, even if things don't turn out quite as I intended. The shoe polish sounds intriguing, and I'm going to have a look for that Krylon stain you mentioned, and definitely some polyurethane for the shine!
Thanks again for sharing!
Sheryll
tehuti
Original Author
13 years ago
Hey Sheryll Boy, oh boy did I have a difficult time locating that Krylon (Crystal-Color, Satin, Woodland Brown, Indoor Semi-Transparent -#51298) when my can became empty. Not at Lowe's, Home Depot, or Ace Hardware (locally). I finally located an on-line store that had it and purchased 12 cans. It was a little costly doing it that way but I really love that product. I hope you can find it in your area.

As far as technique is concerned mine is very simple: try anything that is not dangerous to health, if it doesn't come out the way you want it: try something else.

Robert
concretenprimroses
13 years ago
I have used regular spray paint as well as house paint on concrete and sometimes it lasts for years out doors. I like your attitude, Robert! I agree, just brush it off and try again if/when the finish goes. sometimes the damaged finished is quite intriguing too, like an antique.
Kathy