A couple of things jumped out at me. 1. I'm not positive but I don't think patio paints are meant to be used in a submerged environment. Rain OK, occasional soaking OK, underwater? Probably not OK. They are called "patio" paints and patios are seldom submerged. 2. Not to disparage Rust-oleum sealer but there are better sealers out there. And again, is the product OK to be used underwater? It says ideal over concrete, etc. but does it say "can be submerged"? Also a lot of sealers are meant only for vertical surfaces, they're basically water "shedders" instead of waterproofers. Read the label carefully. I use a Behr brand sealer that is meant to be used around pools. Note: most sealers go on cloudy but cure/dry clear. 3. Re: painting a birdbath. Birds have very sharp talons, any little scratches through the sealed surface will allow water underneath the sealant. This in turn will either react with the concrete causing it to flake or become grainy or let "bubbles" form under the paint and sealer skin. 4. Was your concrete leaf completely cured? If not, any paint/stain/sealer applied to it may come off. 5.I wouldn't seal and then paint, the paint may not adhere or go on smoothly. 6. Personally I would recommend using a non-painted leaf for the bath and using a painted leaf as decor. Perhaps paint the under side of the bath leaf? Don't know if any of this helps or not. Let us know how things turn out.

Your leaf turned out nice. Fun, isn't it? We just made one last weekend. Funny story re: the leaf. I've been looking at this particular leaf in my rhubarb patch for weeks. Sunday morning I even showed my daughter the leaf I was going to be using that afternoon to make a birdbath. When my DH went out to pick the leaf-- you guessed it-- GONE! So we selected the next best leaf. The next day visiting over the fence with a neighbor- we found the culprit when they mentioned that they had to get the rhubarb that they had picked yesterday cooked into sauce. I guess that's what happens when you tell the neighbors "oh, just help yourself whenever you want"! Oh Well- I think our alternate leaf turned our just fine!

I was weeding & mulching today ... & this is my leaf birdbath...a big one...but I bought it some yrs back & leave it outside (cause it is heavy) but I 'flip' it over in the winter. Wanted to show you this because the artist used 'horseshoes' for handles...he also had some reinforcement of the cement in the center bottom. I also bought these welded kind of 'palm leaves' last yr from the same artist...I love 'em ...birds use this leaf as a birdbath. Jeanne S.

instead of chicken wire try fiber from your local cement co. it comes in small bags, cheap, easy to use and very strong. they use it in concrete floors instead of rebar. i have elephant ear leaves that have stayed together for 10 years. you might be able to get it lowes or building supply store.