Craft- Plaster- Paint question UPDATE Post #7

[Freedom]

I bought this at Busch Gardens in Florida over 20 years ago.

As you can see, it gets covered in dust. Anyone have any ideas how to clean it? When I get it wet, the blue paint comes off, see the second photo, of the tail. Any ideas how to repaint the tail? Thanks.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2008/June%2018%20flowers%20n%20mermaid/IMG_1509Small.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2008/June%2018%20flowers%20n%20mermaid/IMG_1510Small.jpg

[pitc9]

It's kind of hard to figure out just how the paint looks by the photos but it looks like it almost has a faux finish to it... am I right?
It almost looks like it was painted blue first, then they applied white over it.

I can't really tell that any blue paint came off, I can see a few solid white spots, is that where your talking about that the blue came off?

Maybe you can clean it then repaint the entire thing.
You could do a faux finish on it.

[Freedom]

so for a total non-creative person, what is a faux finish?

I don't think there is any white on it, just the blue paint on top of the white plaster (if it is plaster). And glitter. It had LOTS of glitter, which has disappeared over the years.

Yes, there are 2 white psts easiest to see, just where the tail splits into the "y" at the end. There are other white spots, not as easy to see in the photo. And they are all over it. From when I tried to use a damp paper towel and OOPS! That didn't go very well.

[Moesha]

What about using the soft brush attachment and vacuuming it lightly?

[lvpets2002]

:) How so pretty.. Hey if you just want to shadow paint it, then use liq coolaid & sponge it on.. You will have to let it draw & redo steps several times.. But it will turn out great..

[Husky_mom]

you can repaint it with some paint used for ceramics... sold at craft stores.... let it dry then apply a barnish or something so you can wipe it up later on with no problem.....

[Freedom]

Thanks all. I got my nerve up today, bought paint, glitter glue, and spray on clear polyurethane. This is how it looks now:

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2008/June%2029%20Doggie%20Meetup/IMG_1566Small.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2008/June%2029%20Doggie%20Meetup/IMG_1567Small.jpg

And with no flash, just the overhead light:
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2008/June%2029%20Doggie%20Meetup/IMG_1568Small.jpg

Interesting note: when I turned it over to paint the back, the paint on the front came off just as the prior paint was doing! So it must have to do with it not being a porous material. The polyurethane took care of that.

I am VERY pleased!!! Thanks to all of you, I never would have had the courage to even try this without ideas, suggestions etc.

[4 Dog Mother]

Great job! It looks better than new!!!

[pitc9]

Wow!
It looks Great!
Way to go!
:D

[critters]

There are special ceramic paints available for stuff like that; they might be called Ceramcoat. They have a primer and a topcoat included. I had a duck/goose cookie jar that had the paint peeling off in sheets, at least until the furs broke it a few weeks ago!!