Okay DIY'ers...Question!

[Texasgal]

My Mother is having a big birthday this year! She is gonna be sixty!!!

She really wants a birdbath to put in her backyard garden.

I'd like to "personalize" the birdbath with paint, poetry and her grandsons hand prints in the bowl.

So... here is my dilemma. I saw some pre-painted glazed bowls already, but with the paint I don't think it would work. There are some really pretty concrete bowls that I think might work.

Two questions: What would I use to seal the paintings in and around the bowl and what type of paint would be best used for such a project? I assume I need to seal the artwork so that water and outside elements doesn't ruin it?

I've seen this in a magazine YEARS ago and I cannot recall what was used.

Please help!

[Suich]

1. I have absolutely no idea!

Post this in the DIY forum:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=287

Good luck! That sounds like a really neat gift or your Mom!

:)

[flvegan]

2. Here's an idea

Lots of places sell kits that you can make keepsake handprints in a concrete tablet. Not to be morbid, but I've used them as remembrances for pets that have passed (pawprints). Get the prints in the concrete and put that in the bowl of the birdbath.

I say this because birdbaths fall over and smash. Birdbaths crack. This would be something that no matter what, she could take it with her (the tablet). Plus, much easier.

[Kali]

3. pool paint

or make your own basin with ready mix - you can even get concrete dye/color to mix in

[jannyk]

4. My only input is...

...that paint that tough , so it outlasts the elements, would also be impossible to remove from the kids hands without dipping them in paint remover :(

[merh]

5. This seems to be a pretty cool way to make a hand painted

bird bath - and it explains how to seal it too.
http://www.patriciaspots.com/birdbathhowto.htm

Another one http://www.dotcomwomen.com/crafts/claypot/flower-pot-birdbath.shtml

Then there is this method. http://www.ehow.com/how_6942465_paint-birdbath.html

And here's one about sealing painted concrete http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hypertufa/msg101319107420.html

Sounds like a great project - have fun & good luck - post photos when complete!

:hi: :pals:

[pacalo]

6. I love that birdbath on your first link, merh! I'd like to do that project myself.

:hi:

[merh]

7. The photo of one is in the second link, seems

relatively easy.




:thumbsup:

[Texasgal]

9. Wow!

Thanks Merh!

That's awesome! Great info! Thank you so much!

[HopeHoops]

8. Use an enamel and put a base coat on the concrete bowl first (garage floor sealer).

Do NOT paint the inside of the bowl!!! Not only will it make it slippery, but there is the potential for the paint to leach toxic substances into the water as it degrades from exposure to the sun.