Give New Garden Ornaments an Aged, Weathered Look

New concrete statues scream "recently purchased" with their stark whiteness. You want them to look like they've graced your garden for decades. These faux-finish aging techniques give new concrete a warm, weathered patina that accents rather than overwhelms.

Technique 1: Caramel Patina (for Statues)

1. Brush on off-white base coat, rubbing into folds and crevices with a cloth. Dry, then spray light sealer coat. Add second base coat if needed.
2. Mix 3-4 parts caramel-colored paint to 1 part latex glazing liquid. Adjust for pleasing color.
3. Rub mixture on with clean rag. Dry.
4. Dab diluted off-white base paint on patches. Blend gently with clean cloth.
5. Seal with semigloss sealer.

Technique 2: Verdigris Finish (for Plaques)

Verdigris — the greenish-blue of aged copper — transforms a simple plaque into a venerable antique.

1. Wipe concrete with damp cloth; dry. Brush on off-white flat latex paint. Dry thoroughly.
2. Mix 1 part latex glazing liquid to 4 parts grayish-green latex paint.
3. Work in sections: paint ~⅓ panel at a time. Blot and dab with clean cotton rag as you go. Adjust thickness with more paint or glaze.
4. Rub glaze into crevices; dab off raised detailing to mimic aging. Add more glaze if needed.
5. After drying, apply three coats of clear flat sealer with drying time between coats.