Burlapping mastic............need some help!

Dave Church

Dave Church

Well-known member
I have some old cork decoys that are made from REALLY poor quality black cork. I wanted to experiment and see if I could salvage them by covering them in burlap. Has anyone doen this on cork before? I have heard people talk about mastic but I am not sure where to get it or if there is a brand name I should be looking for. I know it's some sort of adhesive, any help would be great.


dc
 
Hi Dave,

AcryloPro is a brand we use often for burlapping foamers. Home depot or any hardware store should carry it. I'm sure others will have advice on repairing cork.

Thanks,
Paul and Canvas
 
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I also use Acrylpro Tile Adhesive in a big bucket for $12 from the Home Depot.
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Dave
I burlapped some corks for customer his past fall. Thought he was crazy when called but the corks were inpretty bad shape, they turned out great and we ended up flocking them for him. The drying time for the mastic will vary with the temp and humidity. I do 2 coats on the top and 2 on the bottom, usually just a day or 2 between coats assuming it's warm enough to dry. If you want me to do them for you just shoot me pm, I'm currently working on 3 dozen black ducks and pintails, 4 dozen bluebills and 2 dozen cans but I'll put you in line. Where in MD do you live?
 
Steve,
Thanks for the offer. I live down in the "bootom" of the western peninsula. Way down by St. Mary's city, Pax River Naval Air Station, etc. I have already started the project and have attached bottom boards and will begin cutting the burlap and applying the mastic this week. It is actually kind of fun. I got a feeling that this might lead to some wire frame canvas decoys just to say that I made some. I love trying new things.

dc
 
I am no expert but mine dried in about 24 hrs.The house temp was 70 degrees.Then i did the second coat.I then let them sit for 3 days before I sealed them with spar finish.Turned out pretty tough.
 
Dave,
Everyone does things differently,there may not be a right and a wrong,here's my method. Burlap the top run the cloth over onto the bottom about an inch.Use two coats of mastic let dry between coats then cut bottom pieces of cloth to cover the bottom again two coats of mastic let dry between coats. You can sand to remove any bumps,when i am done it is hard to tell where bottom and top meet. I install the keel after the wrapping is done. I wonder if sealing the black cork with a water base spar before wrapping will help the burlap adhere better? Let us know how they turn out.
Bill.
 
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