How To Repair Cracks In Plaster Statues

Anne is a writer and instructor who recently restored a decorative statue for a friend.

The before and after photos of a statue restoration.

The Fine art of Plaster Statue Restoration

Do you have an old garden statue or a statue in your domicile that is quondam and maybe disintegrated with years of use? Statues, especially ones that are placed outside in the elements, can get weathered and worn over time, and it seems like a hard chore to find a manner to restore them and brand them look like new again.

I recently took information technology upon myself to restore a statue for a friend. I have had no experience doing this kind of project before, but using some ideas I had come upwards with on my own, I was able to restore the piece and have it looking similar new again. Hither, I volition give you a few tips on how to properly restore a decorative statue.

Step one: Practice a Thorough Inspection of the Damage

Earlier getting started on your projection, it is a good thought to discover it and take photos so you know the kind of condition it is in already. This volition help to identify whatever problem areas and things that you lot encounter that need to be fixed.

In my case, the statue was severely disintegrated and worn from the elements, so I knew I would need to notice something to fill in the holes that I found on the statue. In addition, I had some pieces of the statue that were cleaved off, then I also knew there would be a little piece of work to practice with re-assembling some pieces. This is why it is and so crucial to really look at the statue first and determine what needs to be washed. You volition accept a program of action and be able to plot out the proper steps as to how to restore it properly.

Step 2: Clean the Statue

The commencement thing you want to practice is make clean it a little fleck then you have a blank slate to starting time from. It is important and crucial that you don't utilize any harmful chemicals or cleaning products on the statue because it could harm the material and depending on what your statue is made out of, it could completely ruin information technology.

I used a damp material with water to make clean my statue. At that place was some dirt and leaves that had become caught in some of the crevices, and so I gently wiped the statue with a wet cloth to become rid of the layers of dirt and leaves. If your statue is very dirty, information technology might have y'all a few times to become information technology to where yous want it to exist. Please notation that it does not have to exist completely clean, but clean enough for you to have a smooth surface to work with as you make changes and repairs.

The difference between an area with no plaster and an area that has been filled in with plaster on a statue. — The divergence between an area with no plaster and an surface area that has been filled in with plaster on a statue.

Step three: Add Plaster

I found in my case specifically, because it was so damaged and there were so many holes in it due to weathering over the years, that I needed to make full in those holes. Plaster of Paris works wonders for this because it will help fill the holes and nonetheless give the statue a await of "stone". In addition, Plaster of Paris is very cheap and readily available at nigh arts and crafts stores.

Follow the instructions on the package specifically and begin "painting" it over the statue. I found that adding a thin layer first was the all-time choice. I used a large paintbrush to brush on the plaster to make certain information technology filled in the holes and created a polish surface for me to work with. You do NOT want to dodder information technology on with your easily, every bit a lot of times, this will brand the statue loose its shape and you volition have bumps and other unwanted impurities on it. Take it deadening and let it dry for a while earlier deciding if you desire to add more plaster after. A little goes a long way in this case.

The first step of adding Plaster of Paris to fill in the gaps and holes on the statue. — The starting time step of adding Plaster of Paris to fill in the gaps and holes on the statue.

Curlicue to Go on

Pace 4: Sand

After calculation the plaster, it is of import for you to spend some time smoothing out the surface, especially if yous will be painting on top of the plaster, which I highly recommend. Fifty-fifty if you aren't going to paint colors on it and just want to paint it all white again, it is important to have a smooth surface to paint on.

I used fine grained sandpaper to lightly sand the surface area earlier painting it. Exist careful in this process as well, as you do not want to sand too much and gamble sanding the layer of the statue underneath. I was very light with my hands then as to create that smooth surface on summit, but careful enough not to damage anything.

Step 5: Set up Broken Pieces

In my case, I had a few broken pieces that I needed to fix before painting. There was an arm that needed to be glued back on as well as some deformities in the statue that needed to be filled in and stock-still. For this projection, I used Loctite glue. It is safe and easy to employ, and you can discover it at most domicile improvement stores. The beauty of Loctite gum is the fact that you can use such a small corporeality and it will hold it together perfectly. You too don't have to wait for the glue to dry. You concur it together for almost 20 seconds and it will attach tightly. No need to await or get a clamp if you can hold it together for merely xx seconds!

In addition to gluing pieces back on, I as well had a deformed cross on my statue that needed to exist fixed. For this, I bought a small pack of molding clay (you can but this at whatsoever craft store). When you become the clay out, mix it with a little fleck of water and mold it with your hands until it is soft and malleable. So, shape information technology over the expanse you lot want to fix. I put the clay right over the top of the cross. Then, slowly and advisedly remove the clay. You will need to bake it in the oven per the instructions on the package and and so mucilage the piece on when you are finished.

Step six: Paint

In one case you have completed the gluing process, it is fourth dimension to starting time painting. For my project, I used acrylic paint specifically useful for outdoor purposes. Y'all can find this multi-purpose acrylic paint at any craft shop. Paint to your liking. If yous are planning on keeping the statue all white, consider shading the crevices with a darker colour (maybe a light gray), to requite the appearance of stone and go far look more natural. I found that shading really helped my statue come live.

When you are finished painting, you will want to employ an acrylic sealer spray, especially if you plan on putting the statue in a garden or outside when you are finished. This will preclude the weather from doing damage to your statue once more and will preserve it for years to come.

Pace 7: Adore Your Finished Product

One time you have finished, accept some time to admire your piece of work. It is amazing what we can do to restore old pieces of art, and it is so satisfying to see the hard work you lot have done afterwards. Make sure y'all accept pictures so you take a before and after picture of the process. If your statue is made of a specific textile, make sure you know how to properly restore it. Plaster of Paris may not work in all cases. If y'all are non sure, consult an expert at the craft store that might be able to assistance you in this process. In general, I found my method to work pretty well. Do what you think works all-time for your project, and I hope these guidelines and tips helped give you lot some practiced ideas on how to restore your garden statue or decorative statue.

I could not allow this go... on July 25, 2022:

In my opinion, I do prefer the original statue which wears the fourth dimension patina and damage.

To phone call this restoration it is not appropriate equally the result looks so much worst than the original statue and there is no sympathy in anything that was done to it.

It is a shame that people destroy a beautiful statue in this way.

Larry Slawson from Northward Carolina on October 21, 2022:

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing!