How would this statue be repaired?

Judy
by Judy

Just looking for some ideas. It is not heavy; thin walled. It is from a rescue zoo I volunteer at. I have a few pieces from the hole but not all of them. Thank you!

  16 answers
  • Gk Gk on May 08, 2020

    Could you fill it in with spray foam and then make a wooden frame to go around it so it would sit down inside the frame? You might be able to press what looks like the pieces of stone into the spray foam and then touch it up with some matching paint.

  • Vicki Vicki on May 08, 2020

    Try patching it with a wooden insert, then plastic wood over it. When the plastic wood is dry, paint it.

  • William William on May 09, 2020

    It's very thin walled. I've repaired ceramic, resin, and fiberglass statues. Carefully stuff the statue cavities with crumpled newspaper. Then use spray insulation foam into the statue. The newspaper prevents the foam from expanding into the statue or you would use a lot. Once dry and hard carve any foam that expanded out of the hole. Use Bondo, auto body filler to cover the hole. Try to smooth it out as mush as possible. Once that's dry you can sand it down to the shape you need. Then you can paint.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on May 09, 2020

    I like William 's idea. I was going to suggest gluing a new base around it. If you had access to a lightweight material like part of a piece of siding, it would be easy to cut and adhere to the statue with an exterior silicone caulk, which if put around the edges would keep out moisture. If you wanted a heavier base, you could create a wood box that it was set into. Just some ideas! Good luck and stay safe!

  • Recreated Designs Recreated Designs on May 09, 2020

    Hi Judy, I would try putting a piece of mesh over the hole (metal) and then you can fill it in with bondo or cement and paint. The mesh would give the filler something to bondo to and create a faux wall to then seal. Good luck.

  • Em Em on May 09, 2020

    Add 4 pieces of wood to surround the base and use Loctite construction glue to attach it.

    Slide the statue into it once you put the glue on inside the wooden frame and it will make the whole thing stronger.

  • Kris Kris on May 09, 2020

    I also like Williams suggestions. That foam he talks about is an awesome product. I think if you take his suggestions you wouldn’t go wrong. Your little fox is adorable and will look like new in your yard! Keep us all posted! Good luck!

  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on May 09, 2020

    You could build a pressure treated box around the whole base and hide the hole.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on May 09, 2020

    you could use stick on tile (comes in sheets) and is easy to cut that would cover the hole and make the statue even more beautiful



  • Deb K Deb K on May 09, 2020

    Hi Judy, hope this helps you out some,

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AprzbtHkaQ

  • Judy Judy on May 09, 2020

    Thank you everyone! I got lots of good ideas.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on May 11, 2020

    Hello I would consider patching it up with a piece of cardboard and then covering it with Bondo or epoxy putty and then camouflage it with a paint product. I hope this helps.

  • Judy Judy on Jun 10, 2020

    Thank you everyone for your help; I thought you might like to see the end results. We put some cement inside to make it heavier, about 1/2-3/4"; stuffed it with newspaper, covered that with expanding foam, covered that with Bondo. Then I painted it.

  • Can you take the whole dog off the square and attach him to a different base? Otherwise I would say look into fiberglass repair.

    • Judy Judy on Feb 04, 2021

      He's all fixed and lives at 3 Palms Zoo! Thanks!

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jun 11, 2021

    Hello, If this were mine, I would fill it with concrete (like a mould) and then when set stick the pieces back using epoxy glue. or remove the rest of the base and set it on a new base, or use something like fibre glass . Best wishes.

  • Rein Pangilinan Rein Pangilinan on Mar 17, 2023

    I recommend attaching new base to the statue using an exterior silicone caulk too. You could use a lightweight material like a piece of siding and cut it to size. This would prevent moisture from getting in if you put the caulk around the edges. Alternatively, you could create a wooden box for a heavier base to balance the upper part. :) Best of luck! Also, you can always reach out to experts - I had mine repaired by Natureworks