Asked on Aug 13, 2014

How can I repair a cement garden swan planter?

Aggie
by Aggie
Over the years, my cement swan planter has deteriorated around the neck area. I would like to repair it if I can before it gets any worse, but I'm not sure about how to do it or what kind of product to use. Any help will be appreciated!
  14 answers
  • Lavende Lavende on Aug 13, 2014
    You can use a cement patch product. Mix up a small batch with water following the package instructions, wet the goose, and use a small drywall knife to smooth it into the gaps. Then a fresh coat of paint and it should be ready to go!
    • Aggie Aggie on Aug 14, 2014
      @Lavende Thank you for your input. I didn't realize they had a cement patch product available, so I will definitely be looking to find some of that. Is there any special kind of paint I need to use for this project to insure that it will stay on over the long term and harsh weather? I've been wanting to work on this project for several years now.
  • Kim Smith Kim Smith on Aug 13, 2014
    I think a concrete patch product with some vinyl as an ingredient. Then it would perhaps add some adhesion to the cracks from inside and keep them from getting bigger, and maybe protect them from more water - freeze and thaw cycle. (But I like it with that ancient look.)
    • Aggie Aggie on Aug 14, 2014
      @Kim Smith Having a product with some vinyl in it sounds like a good idea. It would probably hold better and be more weather resistant. Thank you for taking the time to offer me some more information. The "ancient look" is nice, but I kind of want this one back like it was originally. If it were a Roman statue or something like that, I would just leave it as is.
  • You can patch it with cement. Mix some cement up + "paint" it on with a paintbrush. It will fill all the cracks, then if need be you can sand it a bit once it's dried to smooth it :) Then you can hand-paint any details/features that go missing from the new cement.
    • Aggie Aggie on Aug 14, 2014
      @Caitlin | Belong With Wildflowers Using a paintbrush sounds like a great idea, and the cement would get way down into the crevices. Thanks for all your great information.
  • Winful Winful on Aug 14, 2014
    if that doesn't work (and it should) and if the cracks are big you could fill it in with mosaic tiles and grout. might look kind of neat?
    • Aggie Aggie on Aug 14, 2014
      @Winful That is a very imaginative idea, but unfortunately I'm not a big mosaic fan. Thanks for a very neat idea though!
  • Priscilla Crigger Priscilla Crigger on Sep 20, 2014
    go to lowes orhome depot and get a bag of HYDRAULIC cement .it is in a plastic tub . it is water proof and is used to patch swimming pools the best for patching cement .. mix only a tiny portionand thin so you can use a brush . it dries very fast ..
    • Miss Kitty Miss Kitty on Sep 20, 2014
      @Priscilla Crigger Thank you for your suggestion, but I have already bought a product called Dap Pre-Mixed Concrete Patch. I haven't had time to use it yet, so I'm hoping it will do the job. It was recommended by one of the associates at Lowes. I appreciate you taking the time to help. ♥
  • Sue Sue on Dec 29, 2014
    I just "fell" into this, but it was perfectly interesting and I'm going to get some of Hydraulic cement tomorrow. I have a turtle of my 91 year old mothers that has the same problems, so Miss Kitty, post how the Dap works & I'll do the same w/ the other. Love sharing!!! thanks all!!
  • Miss Kitty Miss Kitty on Dec 30, 2014
    Hi Sue! Unfortunately I did not have time to get that project finished last summer, but I did buy the product. I will have to do it when spring gets here. I will let you know the results then. I hope you can get your project done as well.
  • Bo Primo Bo Primo on Dec 30, 2014
    I have a goose that lost his whole beak, an suggestions on building a new one?
    • Sue Kiene Sue Kiene on Oct 09, 2016
      I would make a new one out of clay or plaster or concrete. If it is a little larger than you want you can always work on sanding it down to fit. Can be attached with gorilla glue or other glues. Paint
  • M ramirez M ramirez on Jun 07, 2015
    You can also go to Hobby Lobby and buy some plaster or resin that will work
  • Suzanne Suzanne on Oct 31, 2015
    Go to Sherwin Williams and get small cans of cement stain. They are VERY helpful in working with cement ! Also cement stain lasts a lot longer with a sealant applied after/
  • Barbara Barbara on Oct 09, 2016
    I was thinking Bondo that is used to repair dents on cars, you can use it on cement.
  • Jeffrey Ferrel Jeffrey Ferrel on Oct 09, 2016
    LOL - I was hesitant in saying the bondo idea, because it sounds like such a lame idea, but it works quite well. I would stay clear of Bondo brand, and go to an automotive paint store and get a product called Rage, Rage Ultra, Rage gold... it is much easier to work with and is just a better product.
  • Check in your local home improvement store for concrete patch. Follow the instructions and once it's repaired, repaint.

  • Mogie Mogie on Apr 13, 2023

    Appears that the problem is from expansion and contraction when water gets into the statue via a crack. You need to fix this first before going to the next step of repainting and then sealing.