Angel Restoration

[Superman]

I have angels in my life. GF, daughters, granddaughter and last but not least, Mom. And now this one:

[Superman]

She comes up to the bottom of my chest so that makes here around 3' tall, I guess. She actually belongs to my GF.

She's made of plastic, hollow, much lighter than she looks. Some kind of plastic, I think. There is some cracking happening in the plastic, and the paint is peeling.

I am going to restore/repaint her. I am posting here to get advice and suggestions. You guys are always good for that.

I will do some light sanding/scraping. I wonder if I should fill cracks and, if so, with what. I wonder what kind of paint would be the best. I have some acrylic paints, the craft kind, a bunch of colors. But I don't think "acrylic" is oil-based and I wonder if oil-based paint would be the best to use.

And then there are color decisions. I think Michael, the archangel, has black hair and brown eyes but I think this one will likely have blonde hair and blue eyes. And the garment.....I think it will be pale blue, perhaps with gold-gilded edges.

Whatddya think?

[Superman]

Here are two angels together, BTW.

[red-beard]

Supe, if they put up with you, they are angels! (ducking)

ON a serious note, do you think you can sand blast? Maybe using nut-shells or one of the soft alternatives?

As far as repairs, I'd go bondo!

[Superman]

Right you are, James. As much of a PITA as I am on this forum, just imagine what these angels put up with.

Okay, bondo. Yes, blasting might be possible but I don't have a setup for it in my shop. I may just do a little wire-wheeling and some light sanding. My time is cheap and I have passion for this angel project. I envision she will look......angelic.

[daepp]

What about that newish 3M stuff the body shops use to repair modern plastic bumpers?

[tharbert]

Make a plaster cast then pour your own.

[vash]

i would sand cast it and pour bronze if i had any skills..which i dont.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by tharbert

Make a plaster cast then pour your own.

I like this idea. Do it in bronze.

[Laneco]

Load her up and take her to a media blast. Then use automotive materials for the body work. Use a sealant for plastic/fiberglass. Then paint away. Sealant and paint should be extremely UV stable (e.g. automotive or boat).

As far as color goes, I would go monochromatic. Very light gray, nearly white, with darker shadowing in the relief of the feathers, face, and garment.

angela

[Tobra]

Marine paint, as the charming redhead says, will be very durable.

For the cracks, if you use a dremel or something, you can make the crack into a little "V" and it will be easier to deal with.

[Superman]

Hmmm...... Monochromatic, eh? Interesting.

[Hard-Deck]

Media Blast and repair with bondo or epoxy or both. Paint with marine paint or POR15.

[Hard-Deck]

Or just gold leaf the whole thing

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Tobra

...as the charming redhead says

There is no such thing

I agree, one color.

Is the angel going to reside inside or out?

Lucky #7, BTW.

[john70t]

The marble greco/roman temples and statues used to be painted colorfully.
Still, something lifelike that size would look unnerving.

[duncan1437]

i was going to suggest painting it the color of concrete, which is very light gray, almost white, as mentioned above. i just like concrete and its color..seems classy and timeless...






edits...might find some ideas here... natural concrete, antique white, painted, etc .... http://nielsensconcrete.com/products_61_10.phpdit

how to make plastic look like natural concrete
http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.ca/2011/02/how-to-faux-finish-plastic-flower-pot.html

[look 171]

Pressure washer and automotive paint. Bondo or epoxy to fill gaps. Look for one of those car DIY car wash that has the pressure washer. It will cut down on lot of sanding or scraping. If automotive paint stays on your plastic bumper for over ten years, it will stick on your angel,

[Superman]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I agree, one color.

Is the angel going to reside inside or out?

Outside. She guards my GF's wellhead, right there at the edge of the driveway.

[Superman]

Originally Posted by john70t

The marble greco/roman temples and statues used to be painted colorfully.
Still, something lifelike that size would look unnerving.

When the redhead mentioned monochromism, I started wondering if she would be too creepy as a real-looking creature. Personally, it probably wouldn't bother me. I accept angels' presence and would be delighted to see one in the flesh, so to speak. I'd probably talk to my psychiatrist about dosage adjustments but angel sightings would increase my comfort, rather than decrease it. But I think I am in the minority on this.

Then again, unnerving people is sort of a hobby.