Concrete bird baths come in all shapes and sizes but rarely in different shades. Painting a concrete bird bath is an excellent idea for those looking to add extra bursts of colors to their garden!
Anyone can learn how to paint concrete bird bath. Its four basic steps are cleaning and preparation, application of a primer, the actual painting, and application of a sealant.
You can’t go wrong if you have the right materials and tools and can hold a paintbrush. Read on to get into the details!
Table of Contents
Step-by-step Method for Painting Concrete Bird Bath
Before beginning, remember that paint and rain do not work well together. Pick a non-rainy season to do this project or, if you are able, move your bird bath to a covered area before beginning your work.
Also, keep in mind that the estimated drying times listed below may vary depending on your area’s season and humidity levels.
Without any further ado, here are six simple steps for painting a concrete bird bath.
What to prepare:
- Big plastic sheets, old newspapers, or rags
- Cleaning materials (scrub brush, soap, water)
- Paint brushes or paint sprayers, or both
- Paint to use for cement bird bath
- Concrete sealer
- Primer for concrete surfaces
- Paint sealant
Step 1: Thoroughly clean your bird bath.
You want to make sure you are painting the surface of your bird bath, not the debris stuck on it!
Scrub your bird bath with a brush and soapy water to remove any bird poop, mold, algae, grime, oil, and anything else that may be on there.
To know the effective method to clean a concrete bird bath, check it out here!
Step 2: Apply concrete sealer.
Sealers create a waterproof barrier on your bird bath, preventing the concrete from absorbing all the paint you are about to apply. Remember, concrete is a highly porous material.
Most sealers can take 10-12 hours to dry thoroughly, but always refer to your package instructions. Generally, applying two layers to be safe is always better, so anticipate spending at least 24 hours on this step!
Step 3: Apply primer.
Once the sealer is completely dry, it’s time to apply your primer. Brush or spray it on evenly over the entire surface of your bird bath to ensure a good painting surface for later.
Again, two layers are recommended. Thankfully, primers are typically fully dry between half an hour to an hour, so this step shouldn’t take as long!
Still, if you aren’t in a rush, scheduling an extra hour or two of drying time is best.
Step 4: Paint your concrete bird bath.
It’s finally time to take out that paint for cement bird bath that you prepared!
Whether you brush or spray, let your imagination run wild as you paint your bird bath. You may need to apply several layers, depending on your final vision.
After you are happy with the bath’s appearance, leave it to thoroughly dry for about 24 hours before moving on to the last step.
Step 5: Apply paint sealant.
As its name suggests, a paint sealant seals in the paint. It protects your artwork from the harsh outdoor elements and allows it to stay vibrant for longer.
Additionally, it acts as a waterproof barrier between the paint and the water that will eventually fill your bird bath.
Again, it’s recommended to apply two layers for maximum protection and use a polyurethane sealant. Each layer may take up to 24 hours to dry.
Step 6: Position your bird bath.
And that’s it! All that’s left to do is to position the bird bath in your garden, where both you and your feathery friends will be able to enjoy your masterpiece.
Types of Paints to Paint Concrete Bird Bath
The paint you use is crucial because it needs to be safe for birds and durable enough to withstand constant exposure to the elements.
You can use three basic types of paint: Acrylic, latex, and oil-based.
All three are waterproof paint for bird bath and non toxic paint for bird bath.
| Can be used for | Pros | Cons | |
| Acrylic | Inside and outside of bird bath | Highly durable to extreme changes in temperature and weather | Expensive |
| Latex | Inside and outside of bird bath | Cheap and easy to apply | Low durability. You will regularly be repainting cement birdbath.
|
| Oil-based | Only the OUTSIDE of a bird bath | Rich colors, only need to use one layer | Requires an extra chemical (paint thinner or turpentine). It may eventually become toxic to birds as it is worn down over time, so you cannot use it for painting the inside of a bird bath. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best color to paint a bird bath?
Generally, the best bird bath color ideas are easy to spot from the air.
Birds will fly to bright reds, pinks, oranges, blues, and yellows. Greens and browns may be attractive only for smaller birds, while white tends to scare all birds away.
Consider what birds you want to attract for more concrete bird bath painting ideas. Depending on the species, birds may approach either a color that is the same as them or the same as their food.
It will take more research and planning, but it will be worth your time if you are determined to attract a specific species.
What kind of paint is safe for birds?
It’s essential to use safe paint for bird baths because, aside from being in direct contact with the water they drink, paint flecks will eventually come off over time, and birds may ingest them.
Oil-based, water-based, latex, and acrylic paint for bird bath are safe and excellent options. However, water-based paints are better suited for wooden surfaces. For concrete, stick with the other three choices.
On the flip side, avoid paints with lead, chromate, zinc, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Is spray paint safe for bird baths?
Spray paint for bird baths is fine if you use non-toxic paint and the paint packaging did not specify a particular application method.
If you are uncomfortable working with a brush, spraying your paint can be an easier alternative.
Conclusion
There’s no need to worry about how to paint concrete bird bath, since it’s all relatively straightforward.
If you want a DIY project to unleash your creative juices or a fun activity for the kids (and have a garden), consider this bird bath painting venture!
The entire process can be highly entertaining, from conceptualizing ideas for painting a bird bath to the actual painting steps. You may also attract more birds afterward, too.
George and I became friends after a birdwatching trip with our new group. And we have been enjoying every adventure together. When he told me the idea of establishing a site that shares our experiences and fun, I immediately agreed. After trials and errors, here we have Thayerbirding.
