Do you have an old garden statue that you love, but it’s looking worn and faded? If you’re a fan of Buddha statues like I am, you might know how expensive they can be. So, I decided to give mine a makeover with some granite spray paint to bring it back to life.

I came across granite spray paint at my local hardware store, which works wonders on plastic to make it look like real stone. There are also other effects available, like marble and crackle, if you’re after a different look. While my Buddha may have lost a bit of his personality, he’s at least presentable again!

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How to Make a Plastic Garden Statue Look Like Granite
Revamp Your Garden Statue with Simple Spray Paint

Materials Needed

• Granite spray paint
• Primer spray
• Topcoat sealer
• Scrubbing brush and detergent
• Plastic weld/Polymorph (for repairs)

Step 1: Do Repairs if Necessary

Before starting the spray paint, you’ll need to make any necessary repairs. My Buddha had sun damage and a few cracks from being knocked over, so I needed to fix those first. This is what my statue looked like before I started.  Most of the wear on the Buddha was from sun damage from being out in the elements for years.

For repairs, you can use either plastic weld or polymorph. I prefer polymorph because it’s highly versatile. You can heat it with hot water and mould it onto the statue. The best part is, if you make a mistake, you can reheat it and reshape it until you’re happy.

Here’s how to use polymorph:

1. Heat the polymorph in boiling water until it turns clear.
2. Remove some with a spoon and mould it to the cracks or broken pieces.
3. Once cooled, it will harden into a solid white plastic.

If the finish isn’t quite right, reheat it and smooth it out with your fingers. Warning: A heat gun can make the polymorph extremely hot, so be careful not to burn yourself.

Step 2: Wash Your Statue

Before applying any paint, clean the surface thoroughly to remove dirt and debris. I used dish soap and a scrubbing brush to clean all the nooks and crannies. Once cleaned, rinse the statue well and let it dry completely in the sun.

Step 3: Apply Primer and Granite Spray Paint

To get the best results, I applied a clear primer before using the granite spray paint. Once the primer was dry, I used granite spray paint to transform my Buddha. It’s important to spray in a well-ventilated area and avoid windy days because the paint can get messy.

I applied two thin coats, allowing about 40 minutes of drying time between coats (depending on the temperature). After the second coat, I noticed some areas were darker than others. The hardware store guy explained that the underlying colour was showing through. If your statue is terracotta, I recommend spraying a grey base coat first to get a uniform finish.

Lastly, seal the paint with a clear topcoat to protect your work.

More garden projects for inspiration

This wooden suncatcher was made from a slice of wood with resin inlays.

These beaded garden stakes are a great way to add some sparkle to your pot plants.

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