What's the best paint to use on a cement bird bath?

Ana Bacallao
by Ana Bacallao
hi, I'm in the process of refreshing my birdbath. I have cleaned it and wanted to give it a more "stone" look. I bought a textured spray paint but then realized it probably would not work on cement. I went to HD yesterday and a gentleman there told me I should not use spray paint but rather use a water base flat paint. Anyone has experience with this? Thanks in advance ce
  10 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 24, 2017

    To be honest with you I would not recommend painting the bird bath. There are chemicals in the paint that will potentially harm the birds. From what I have researched the same goes with how the bird bath is washed.

    • Ana Bacallao Ana Bacallao on Jan 30, 2017

      I would love to get my hands on some Unicorn Spit paint but can't justify he expense yet.

  • Gloria S Gloria S on Jan 25, 2017

    I had a resin bird bath that I painted last spring & I also used the flat paint but I did not paint the inside of the bowl. I painted all of the outside & up to the edge of the bowl. Then I took colored stones ? glued them on the inside of the bowl with marine grade waterproof glue. Am attaching a pic. Think it turned out pretty good. Just wish I had taken a b4 pic ( I bought it for $10 at a flea market & it really looked horrible but I like a challenge !!)

    • Ana Bacallao Ana Bacallao on Jan 30, 2017

      Gloria, that looks amazing and exactly what I had in mind as well. Hope mine comes out as nice as yours....

  • Gloria S Gloria S on Jan 30, 2017

    Thanks Ana..the hardest part was the design !! Plus I didn't realize It would take so many stones. I started with a couple of bags from the Dollar store & wound up having to make 2 more trips b4 I finally finished !!The birds seem to love it tho & so do I !!

  • Elizabeth Elizabeth on Apr 20, 2019

    The entrance of my home is a light sand color. I'd like to brighten the entrance as well as the kitchen, any ideas for a happy, alive color?


  • Deb K Deb K on Dec 14, 2022

    Hi ana, hope this helps you out. Any exterior latex paint should be safe for birds. First, clean and prep the birdbath by removing all dirt and debris, then rinse with water. It's important that the concrete is completely dry before you prime and paint it.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 13, 2023

    I just like to scrub the inside of the birdbath at the begining of the season using just plain water and a nail brush. I supose you could use a resin at the bottom?

  • If it's just for the base they do make concrete paint that that can be tinted a color. Of course, it wouldn't be safe for the birds, but you said you only wanted to paint the base.

  • Mogie Mogie on Apr 13, 2023

    I would feel better about not painting the inside of the bowl. Just adorn the outside.

  • Deb K Deb K on May 19, 2023

    Hi Ana, hope this helps you out.

    Any exterior latex paint should be safe for birds. First, clean and prep the birdbath by removing all dirt and debris, then rinse with water. It's important that the concrete is completely dry before you prime and paint it.