Asked on Aug 26, 2016

How to repaint my nutcracker

Marly
by Marly
I am not sure how to begin to redo my nutcrackers. They stand 6' tall and they're for outdoor use. They're heavy and I'm not sure what they are made of, some type of resin I believe.
  15 answers
  • Kate Kate on Aug 28, 2016
    I suppose the first question is do you want to redo them all one color with detailing, or do you want to do different colors for the jacket, face, hat, buttons, etc?
    • Marly Marly on Aug 28, 2016
      I would like them to look like traditional Christmas Nutcrackers
  • Nanci Nanci on Aug 28, 2016
    I would first lightly sand (I've found those green scotchbrite pads to work very well for this step) to remove peeling & chipped paint. Clean them well to remove all dust. Spray paint with a good quality flat white primer & then proceed with your craft paints. Once all painted spray again w/either a flat or glossy polyurethane coating. If going to use outside I'd probably give them several coats of the polyurethane.
  • Cherylbeatrice Cherylbeatrice on Aug 28, 2016
    I would agree with Nanci but say that you could also paint the primer on as 6' would take a lot of cans of spray primer not to mention having a place to spray something that large. Good Luck it looks like it could be a fun project. I can imagine they are very impressive holiday decorations.
  • Gail Gail on Aug 28, 2016
    If you're looking for ideas how to paint it to look like a 'real' Nutcracker, I'd google pictures, find the one I like the best, and take it with me to the paint/craft store when I got the paint. Then, let 'er rip! Just follow the picture 'pattern'.
  • 62q10370829 62q10370829 on Aug 28, 2016
    clean up. use gold, black, red or green or blue for body. look them up. just use out side paint. i have 1000 -- 2in to 5 ft. good luck.
  • Jenney Jenney on Aug 29, 2016
    I have one that I had commissioned a local artist to do for me.. She sanded him down with soft sand paper then a second sanding with the next grade. Painted him in Traditional colors and detailed him perfectly.. Mine stays inside but I asked about outside and she suggested a waterproof clear varnish/paint. Enjoy and take time.
  • Rj Rj on Sep 04, 2019

    Interested in selling these two nutcrackers? I would be interested

  • Gmac Gmac on Dec 19, 2020

    do you want to sell this nutcracker? I have been searching for one like this

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Dec 22, 2020

    I would sand off any the paint/parts that are coming off so it's nice and smooth. Then coat with primer, paint and seal! Good luck, I love those large Nutcrackers and always wanted some by my front door!

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Dec 31, 2020

    it all depends on your style but I would for sure use outdoor paint for that projects

  • I would have though acrylic paint would work great. Then seal the final coat

  • Lindsay Aratari Lindsay Aratari on Feb 28, 2021

    You could use chalk paint

  • Amy Poulton Amy Poulton on Nov 07, 2023

    For some nutcracker design ideas and colors to use, there are some examples here: https://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/christmas/nutcracker-crafts-44709391

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Nov 07, 2023

    Here's what a Hometalker did using Rub N Buff:


    https://www.hometalk.com/posts/decorate/christmas/modern-nutcracker-using-rub-n-buff-44525935

  • Deb K Deb K on Nov 11, 2023

    Hi Marly, hope this helps you out.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HP1YCLwgQk