Discussions

I have some concrete deer ornaments I would like to repaint. The resting doe is quite faded but still has patches of paint on it. The two fawns (one needs a bit of a repair) still have good paint on them but I want to do them to match the doe. I am planning to do an artistic style on them (realistic eyes etc) and would like to use acrylic paints. I would like to prime them all first and was thinking about an alkyd primer as I know you can put acrylic or latex over it. Does anyone know if alkyd would work for this and if so where can I buy it? I used to use lots of this on metal pails and such years ago and they have weathered very well, even with just regular acrylic paint with no sealant (although I plan to use it with the deer). I also have some ceramic ornaments I would like to touch up too.

An added note. I have googled the heck out of this but I really don't get a satisfying result for painting over an already painted surface. That is why I am thinking of an alkyd primer. I asked at Home Depot for this with no luck. In the past I bought it at home hardware in Souris but I've looked at the HH website and can't find what I want.

Yes, it is still on the Home Hardware website, Beauti-tone Alkyd primer. The hubs says to used muriatic acid concrete cleaner first, though. (He is a retired HH paint guy)

Masonry primer is widely available. It is water based. If I was doing a garage floor I might consider cleaning with muratic acid (properly diluted), but in your case as long as you wire brush any loose paint and lightly sand the remaining painted areas and clean with mild soapy water and rinse and dry the ornaments then masonry primer and water based exterior colors should be fine. If you're worried about the old paint looking lumpy under the new you could use paint stripper to take it right down.

'Hislovemonkey' and 'bigmoe' for your help ... This advice is better than what I have found online. The only reason I am steering toward alkyd primer is because I have had such good luck with it before and acrylic paint over it weathers well. I have not used it on concrete before though, but I think I will give it a try.  
 
Another paint question. I want to repaint the bannister up and around our front steps. Who ever re painted them did so without removing the old paint. Now almost everything is peeling. What is the best way to get this old paint off? I did get a heat gun. This is going to be a very painstaking job but I would like to do it right.

Doreen Winona Logeot said "'Hislovemonkey' and 'bigmoe' for your help ... This advice is better than what I have found online. The only reason I am steering toward alkyd primer is because I have had such good luck with it before and acrylic paint over it weathers well. I have not used it on concrete before though, but I think I will give it a try.     Another paint question. I want to repaint the bannister up and around our front steps. Who ever re painted them did so without removing the old paint. Now almost everything is peeling. What is the best way to get this old paint off? I did get a heat gun. This is going to be a very painstaking job but I would like to do it right. "

and scape the dickens out of it to get the loose/peeling stuff off, then you have to sand down what's left. After that, use a primer-hubs says either alkyd or acrylic. The primer is needed to bind all the existing paint to make a surface for the new paint to cling to. The new paint should be Tremclad or Rustcoat, which is good for either wood or metal railings.

is a porous substance so I wouldn't use an alkyd primer on an outdoor ornament unless the bottom will also be completely sealed. The concrete needs to be able to rid itself of moisture which will cause the paint to come off in strips. I'd go with the masonry primer as suggested, it works well and will keep your acrylics in place for a long time. As for your ceramics, just clean well with soapy water, dry, paint and seal really well. The only time you'll have issues with paint peal on ceramics is if the initial firing was not hot enough. enjoy your projects!!

Hislovemonkey, there is a lot of paint to scrape but I think it will be well worth it in the end.  
MGC, I appreciate your explanation because although it seemed alkyd primer was not recommended, no explanation as to why. I will get masonry primer for my concrete ornaments. I expect I can use the alkyd on the ceramics?