Is it possible to update the appearance of the monument with paint and how to do it

A granite or marble monument in a cemetery may lose aesthetics or crack over time. The inscriptions on it fade, as well as photographs, drawings. Fortunately, you don’t need to buy an expensive thing again, because the monument can be restored with your own hands. It is worthwhile to figure out in advance what paint to paint the monument, buy the necessary materials, and get to work.

Content:

• Monument Care
• Restoration of the inscription on the monument
• Paint selection
• Necessary materials
• Operating procedure
• Painting portraits and inscriptions on a granite monument
• Drawing inscriptions on marble

Monument Care

In order not to resort to the services of restorers, which are very expensive, during the entire life of the tombstone, it must be properly looked after. Here are the practical tips that you must follow after installing the product from concrete, granite, marble, other materials:

• do not plant trees near the monument, shrubs that can damage the product by roots, do not make flower beds - all plants attract moisture, which negatively affects the stone;
• do not use aggressive household chemicals, ordinary synthetic detergents for the kitchen, bathroom - they destroy the surface of the stone, weaken the adhesion of particles;
• to prevent the ingress of hot water, contact of fire with a stone slab - spots will appear on it.

It is better to close expensive marble for the winter if in the region the probability of severe frosts is high. For this purpose apply films, waterproof covers. When small chips, scratches appear, it is worthwhile to purchase a special polish, paste, other protective agent that will not allow the stone to collapse further.

Restoration of the inscription on the monument

Even the most persistent letters on the monuments gradually lose their brightness and clarity. You can do the restoration of the erased inscription on the stone with your own hands - it will not take much time, it will not cause unnecessary costs.

Paint selection

For painting monuments, it is necessary to carefully choose consumables, because an unsuitable composition will quickly peel off or not lie on the surface at all. Sometimes, even with a successful painting, the monument, after drying of the paintwork, immediately cracks, climbs, making the product look even worse. Cleaning areas of the paint can also cause problems, as there is a high chance of scratching the stone.

For painting monuments, drawing letters, you need to buy special materials. Acrylic products labeled "for outdoor marble" are well suited. They can be used for updating inscriptions, coloring borders, other cemetery structures. The paint is suitable not only for marble, but also for granite, artificial stone. Typically, such tools are not used in the restoration of foundations for the installation of which cementless plasters were used.

The advantages of paints on marble are as follows:

• long service life;
• high resistance to UV radiation;
• good vapor permeability.

On sale there are paints of different colors.Usually, materials of gold, silver, less often black are used to restore inscriptions on the monument. The coating can be matte, glossy. Means dry quickly - in 1-2 hours, have no unpleasant smell, are applied with a thin brush. If the paint has thickened, it can well be diluted with plain water. The surface service life after staining reaches 5-10 years.

At home, "craftsmen" often themselves change the properties of paints, making them suitable for working on stone. To paintwork kept on the monument, add a little borax solution and a few drops of nitric acid to the usual acrylic composition (it can be replaced with nitric acid salt). After the pigment of the desired color is introduced into the white composition.

In addition, you can independently make paint with a metallic sheen based on bronze, aluminum powder. The powder is diluted with liquid gelatin, egg yolk, various adhesives that are suitable for stone. The more metal powder at the base, the more vivid the color of the inscription on the monument will be. It is best to make paint with a consistency of thick sour cream. Do not make the layer too thick; it will crack faster.

Necessary materials

To work, you will need the following tools and items:

• plastic spatula;
• cleaner paste;
• soft rag;
• solvent (acetone, alcohol);
• finished paint on stone;
• brush;
• fixer of the finish layer.

Operating procedure

At first, the monument is being prepared for work. It is well wiped with a wet cloth and allowed to dry. It is important that there is no lichen, moss, or any plaque on the monument: they will have to be cleaned after softening with special paste for a stone based on phosphoric acid. Put the paste, leave for 15 minutes, then remove the dirt with a spatula. Then the place to work with is degreased with acetone, alcohol. In fresh air, solvents instantly dry, so you need to wipe the base quickly.

The procedure for restoring inscriptions is as follows:

• moisten a brush in paint;
• squeeze excess paintwork on the edge of the container;
• put an inscription on the available letters or add your own signs, drawings;
• let the paint dry;
• apply the topcoat (it is better if it is in the form of a spray).

You need to work with such paints quickly, they dry directly on the brush, which is also facilitated by windy weather. It is possible to improve the structure of the inscription, to make it more clear without staining - by polishing with zinc powder. This method is suitable if the paint has just begun to fade, and not faded. They collect the powder on a napkin, rub it well into the engraving on the monument, while the letters become bright, saturated, contrasting. You will have to use the method often - 1-2 times a month.

Painting portraits and inscriptions on a granite monument

Refreshing a portrait or inscription on granite is easier than on marble. This material is less difficult to care for, more responsive to the use of solvents, the risk of discolored spots is lower. Large surfaces are painted using special spray guns; inscriptions are made with thin brushes according to the already existing engraving. Most often, the following data is applied to the stone manually:

• FULL NAME;
• dates of birth and death;
• drawings and ornaments;
• words of sorrow;
• portraits.

Experts also use a more reliable method of drawing inscriptions - using acid etching. Acid is applied to the monument in the right places, which leaves bright traces. This technology is complex, it is practically not used by specialists at home.

Drawing inscriptions on marble

To apply the paint when it has completely peeled off, a more thorough restoration will have to be done. First you need to buy sandpaper with fine grain, process all sections of the monument to remove a layer of old paint.Sometimes for this purpose you have to use a thin chisel, a clerical knife, a hammer, but you should work carefully so as not to leave scratches. Professionals use grinding machines, which is much simpler, more efficient.

After grinding, degreasing is done, the paint is applied in a similar way. It is not recommended to engage in independent work with expensive monuments, for this it is better to take the product to the restoration workshop, where they will give it the appearance of a new thing without the danger of irreparable damage.