By Traci Tuesday, July 15, 2014 8 Paint new chalk paint, Paint, Thrifting Permalink 0
Hello everyone! It is so good to be back to blogging. This summer my life seems to be a bit of a bumpy ride. The hot weather always sends my Fibromyalgia into over drive and this summer has been especially hot here so my symptoms have been out of control. But I am feeling better and just in time too because I have so many great projects that I can’t wait to share with you all.
Let’s start with my concrete statue hack. I have been wanting to do a concrete faux finish for a few months and when I found this odd-looking rabbit at my favorite Goodwill I knew I had found the perfect guinea pig. I am guessing that it was someone’s first attempt at painting ceramics but it was just what I was looking for. At 14 inch tall this $2.99 rabbit was too good to pass up.
Are you thinking that I have lost my mind? Never fear I had a plan all along.
I have been wanting a concrete statue for my garden like the one above but they are so expensive. This one is $129.99 plus tax and shipping at hayneedle.com. But instead for spending $150 I decided to transform this ugly bunny into a beauty with paint. Almost anything can be given a concrete look with this process.
I started out by spraying her white with a paint and primer in one paint. She looks 100% better already. I could have just stopped here but I had two new paints that I wanted to try out so she was the perfect candidate.
Since my plan was to follow the spray paint with two other different types of paint I allowed the paint to dry for a 3 days. Not only does paint dry to the touch on the surface but it also needs to cure. For a great explanation of paint dying and curing times check out this great post from Salvaged Inspirations.
The next phase of this bunny make-over included adding a bit of texture with this Embossing Crème by Maison Blanche. I got so caught up in using this product that I forgot to photograph it. It is the consistency of chocolate pudding so it may not the best product to use while trying to lose weight. No Embossing Creme? Try watering down spackle or let the chalk paint dry up a bit to make it a bit thicker.
It took me three generous coats of the Embossing Creme to cover the entire rabbit. I wanted some additional texture so I used a pouncing action to create the texture.
Of course at this stage of the project the bunny reminds me of a chocolate Easter Rabbit and I craved chocolate until I started painting it.
I had just used the new American Décor Chalky Paint on my step stool project and it figured it was another chance to test this product. I have to say that it covered well and the colors were perfect for this project.
I started with their black called Carbon. It took three coats of the black to cover the brown embossing paint but it drier super fast so it didn’t take much time at all. I was just thankful this phase didn’t remind me of food.
While I was planning on making this bunny look like concrete I could have easily done a finish to make it look like a metal statue by adding a fake rust or green patina.
I followed up with Relic, a dark grey and again I used a pouncing technique but this time I did not completely cover up the black.
Then I used a dry brush technique with Primitive, their cream-colored paint, painting only the raised areas of the rabbit.
It was still a bit dark so I diluted the cream-colored paint to make a thin wash and used it all over the rabbit.
Do you think it looks like concrete yet? I was happy with the results so I was on to the next step.
Since my rabbit was going to be spending her days in the garden I sealed her with Spar Urethane. This finish is popular for its ability to protect wood but it works well for protecting painted finishes. Spar Urethane is specially formulated as a protective clear finish that can be used on both exterior or interior wood. It contains UV blockers to reduce the sun’s fading effects and it forms a protective barrier against rain and moisture all of which my rabbit will be exposed to in the garden.
It took about 3-4 coats to cover her completely.
It was late by the time she was dry but I just had to take a picture of her even though it was already dark.
She has been shopping the back yard for the perfect home but I think she looks adorable nestled in the Alyssum and Lobelia.
But maybe under the hydrangea would be nice?
Wherever she lands I am thrilled with how she turned out. What do you think? Would you be fooled by this faux finish and what would you like to transform into concrete?
Thanks for reading,