Seeking Advice on Gargoyle Restoration from Potters, Ceramics Workers, Concreters, etc

GnarlyKnuckles on 09/05/2023 - 04:55
Last edited 09/05/2023 - 05:07

Dear Ozbers,

I need learned advice from peeps in the know re a little gargoyle project, because a mate has asked me to find an ‘old looking’ one to place at the top of a water feature he has bought and set up in his back yard. After much searching I have acquired a nice old heavy one of perfect size, but he is missing his horns and wings (they have been broken of years ago). Once he is complete I’m capable of the secure placement of him to the base-plate atop the water feature (which is metal) without damaging anything underneath, but I would like some advice from peeps in the know (ceramics artists? potters?) re the initial restoration of this ugly little guy.

I will try and attach pics of him in his current state in a post directly after this one.

My ‘amateurish’/somewhat uninformed plan is to:

  1. Carefully drill small-diameter (2 mm?) but deepish (30 mm?) holes directly inwards towards the core where the horns should be, and where the wings should be.

  2. Fashion approximated ‘frameworks’ of the missing horns and wings out of a durable wire mesh (something like ‘chicken wire’ but with smaller holes, which I happen to have some of lying around), complete with ‘stalks’ to poke into the drilled holes.

  3. Use some sort of highly durable/totally weather-proof material (maybe something like cement, ‘BondCrete’, I-don’t-know-what’?!?) to fashion the missing parts onto that mesh framework …

I’m confident with #1 and #2 above, but what I really need is advice on is #3. I don’t want to spend a bunch of time restoring this guy and securing him to the mounting plate, only to have him ‘melt away’ over time. I want the ‘solution’ to be final/able to withstand anything, forever after.

Notably, colour considerations are not that important. He has been broken rather symmetrically, so even if the new material does not match the old in colour, that will not be a major problem.

Any and all advice will be much appreciated.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • GnarlyKnuckles on 09/05/2023 - 05:06
    +1

    This is a test, and I will delete this post if the image links do not work. Sorry if this inconveniences anyone.

    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/123856/103527/front_cr…

    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/123856/103528/front_cr…

    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/123856/103529/back_cro…

    If anyone can confirm that they can see these images, that would be great.

    Thanks.

    • mapax on 09/05/2023 - 05:46

      Yes, I can see them.

  • SBOB on 09/05/2023 - 07:18

    final/able to withstand anything, forever after.

    Well as it's already broken, doesn't that mean the existing material doesn't pass this requirement?

  • AustriaBargain on 09/05/2023 - 07:52
    +2

    What if he just got a real gargoyle.

  • mskeggs on 09/05/2023 - 07:58
    +3

    FWIW, I think he looks cool as is.

  • cashless on 09/05/2023 - 08:19
    +1

    Rather than restore, you might as well purchase your own

  • Cardy on 09/05/2023 - 12:07

    This won't help with the repair, (but hopefully of some interest) https://wanderwisdom.com/travel-destinations/The-Gargoyles-o…

  • dtc on 09/05/2023 - 12:51

    Concrete is the obvious material. The existing gargloyle uses an aggregate mix, so you want a similar product. Any will do, quick cement or whatever, but check the colour (some are white, some are grey etc). Perhaps add some concrete fibres for strength

    However I think your proposal to build mesh frame is wrong. These items are all made in a mold. If you try to build concrete onto a mesh it will slump and distort and it be impossible. If you want to use concrete you need to make a mold, then attach the end result to your gargoyle (eg make a horn in the mold, then attach the whole horn to the gargoyle). Using an epoxy glue of the right type is the best option, no need for a mechanical connection (although you could put in a few dowel joins if you want, using metal dowels).

    The issue you are going to have is that making a mold, especially for the wings, is going to be quite tricky. The best option is to make your horn/wing out of air dry clay - sculpt it until it is right. Then use that to create a latex mold. Once the mold is created, pour in the concrete and let it set. Then attach the horn/wing to the gargoyle (after you sand it and whatever until it looks right) This is a not uncommon craft activity so you should be able to find plenty of instructions on line

    If you want to build it up on a frame, you cant use cement because it wont hold its shape as you build. You will need to use epoxy clay I think. Maybe you can give it a small coating of concrete at the end to match up the colouring

    Alternatively you could use air dried clay and then waterproof it really well (https://craftknights.com/how-to-make-air-dry-clay-waterproof… ) and then cover with concrete to match up. Air dry clay is much cheaper than epoxy clay but if the waterproofing fails it will fall apart.

    For either of the clays you have the risk that the concreate will 'delaminate' from the clay - you might need to lay the concrete over wet glue for extra protection.

    Hence the mold is the best process.

  • blitz on 09/05/2023 - 17:28

    Well, like @mskeggs I think it has character as it is. But alternatively, could you fit some metal cones to the horn stumps? They might wear better than Bondcrete?

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