For an outdoor, exposed wall mural, what media is best? How do I prep wall and seal it after completion?

Question

I am supervising a team of high school students that will be creating an outdoor mural at a neighboring school. We want the mural to withstand the elements and to last for years to come. The mural will be painted on a textured concrete surface, that has already been painted.

Answer 1

have done many murals and all arefdifferent but don't paint on anythng that is not prepped the paint on the concrete that you mentined needs to be wire brushed to get off any loose flakes that would come off later on their own then roll the entire wall with Kilz so that it is sealed against discoloration from within the concrete that can ruin a mural in a week. Once the kilz dries roll another base coat of a light neutral gray good quality acrlic or latex exterior housepaint on it and let it dry completely 2 days at least for cure.... then start the mural. If you are going to do tight detail have a pounch pattern to put the drawing on with... draw the whole thing on brown butcher paper then go over the line with a dressmakers rowelled wheel and punch a billion little holes along the lines..... tape the paper in place and then using a fine charcoal powder in a rag bundle with the bottom of it filled with charcoal sharply tap that bundle onto the lines and it will leave a trail of little black dots to follow... simply pencil them in with a carpenters pencil and you are good to go. do two coats of every color with drying time in between and it should last a long time. Seal it with a good quality clear medium ask yur paint man he will have just the thing If you have other questions e-mail me at my reg yahoo addy and I will be happy to help or explain further

try to get the store to donate your paint by putting a sign at the botton of the mural saying that so and so provided the paint and give the local paper a press release and a follow up with photos as they are always looking to fill space mention your paint supplier in that as well
have fun yeah more pubic art by students!!!!

Answer 2

Outdoor house paint will be your best bet. Just mix and use like you would acrylic paint. If you want to add even more longevity to the project, you can coat it with clear polyurethane. good luck and enjoy your project.