How to Paint a Bronze Statue

Clean your item thoroughly using an ammonia-based cleaner. Use a toothbrush if necessary to get into the cracks and crevices. Rinse the item with clean water and dry thoroughly.

Sand the statue using fine-grit sandpaper. The sandpaper will roughen the surface up a bit, allowing the primer to really adhere to the surface of the bronze. Metal and other slick surfaces chip and peel easily, so it is especially important to prep the surface well. Wipe off sanding dust with a damp rag.

Prime the statue. Use spray primer for the smoothest finish possible. Choose a primer that reads "bonding primer" on the side of the can. Bonding primers are formulated for slick surfaces and will really stick to the bronze. Apply one to two coats of primer, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.

Spray paint the statue. Use a lacquer spray paint. Rustoleum and Krylon both make spray lacquer. Lacquer finishes are shiny and very durable. Spray the paint on in a steady back-and-forth motion, slightly overlapping each pass of the spray can. Apply two to three coats of paint. Let each coat dry before you apply another.

Stain the statue for a more weathered effect. Lacquer paint is extremely glossy. A little bit of stain will dull the shine and add depth to the paint job. Dip a clean rag into a dark brown or black stain. Rub a small amount of stain on the statue and rub off with a clean, dry rag. Continue applying and wiping off stain until you achieve a look that you like.