Leaf casting sealer

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

Hello all,

After getting some inspiration from folks here and elsewhere on the web, I have done my first concrete leaf castings. I am posting pictures of a few here. I did several kinds of leaves, including a huge gunnera leaf. I painted a rhubarb leaf casting, and now I would like to seal it. I have read that some sealers turn white when they are used outside and they get wet. So my question to those of you who do leaf casting: what do you use to seal them. I want to be sure the sealer is safe for the birds too.

ETA: I tried to upload my photos, but can't figure out how to do it.

ETA: Okay, here they are. I dont' know why they're sideways!

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Comments (5)

Mike Larkin
10 years ago
Nice job on the leaves! Did you use craft paints? Good question on the sealer.

I have typically just gone into the Concert section of Lowes or Home Depot or the Ceramic tile section and purchased the sealer that they have stocked on the shelf, then picked glossy or matt finish. I am sure that they are made with chemicals, and may not be that safe. However I do not know how one would know for sure if it would hurt a bird. Or if after you sealed it allow it to dry for a period of time to limit the impact on hte water. I have also used Mod Podge, and have experienced the white look when wet.

My thoughts- Birds drink from all tyopes of places, ie water that is in puddles on the side of the road and there musy be lots of road salt, oil, etc in that water. Not the best and maybe they could get sick, but I bet what comes off from the bird bath is not as back as the many other souces of water. Maybe a bird expert could help with this.

There are concrete sealers that are made with bees wax, that are food safe, ( typically used for indoor kitchen countertops) Not sure how long it would last, but If you chose to use it , let us know how it turns out.

Mike
ptpulley
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, Mike, for your comments. I just used acrylic craft paints, some in tubes, some in bottles. I painted a maple leaf cast too, in fall colors. I like them, but I feel like they need a finish over the paint. I hope the concrete was dry enough for me to seal them in paint!

Maybe some kind of acrylic sealer would be good. We drink and eat from acrylic products, so they would probably be safe after they get dry.
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Mike Larkin
10 years ago
With the rise in the use of concrete for counter tops I know there is a variety of FoodSafe sealers avaiable for purshase. Unfortunately the price for a gallon of sealer make them very costly for sealing a small projects like a bird bath.

If anyone else has tried a safe sealer, please share.
Kim The Hypertufa Gardener
10 years ago
Those leaves are exceptional. I love the detail.
Dottie B.
10 years ago
Your leaves are beautiful. I just use the Outdoor Acrylic Sealer from Patio Paints. http://gardensandcrafts.com/leafcastings.html