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How to Paint a Concrete Fountain

L. Scott Pishko

Having a concrete fountain outside is soothing and enjoyable, but it can begin to show wear quickly if not regularly maintained and protected from the elements. Painting your fountain will give it a personalized, one-of-a-kind look while creating a barrier between the concrete and the outside elements.

maintain your concrete fountain with a fresh coat of paint.

Waterproofing will give your fountain much-needed protection from debilitating water damage and keep it flowing strong for years to come.

  1. Remove pieces that can be taken apart and set them side-by-side on the ground.

  2. Prepare a solution containing 1/2 cup mild dish detergent and 1 gallon warm water in a bucket. Use a soft brush to clean the pieces of concrete fountain and remove the dirt, then rinse well. Let everything dry for 15 minutes.

  3. Wash the fountain with an industrial solvent as directed on the bottle, if the fountain is particularly dirty. Use a more coarse item such as a scrub brush to safely clean the fountain without chipping the concrete. Rinse and let it dry 15 more minutes. It is vital that the fountain is clean prior to painting.

  4. Place drop cloths in the area in which you will be working to protect the ground from paint drops. Set the concrete fountain pieces on top of the drop cloth after cleaning them.

  5. Coat the fountain with spray cement paint by using a sweeping motion left to right to evenly coat it without runs in the paint. Most cement paints require at least three coats. Make sure that each coat is dry before applying the next one.

  6. Apply a spray waterproofer, as directed on the can, over the entire concrete fountain. This will act as a protective barrier against harmful outside elements. Let it dry at least 24 hours before refilling the fountain with water.