Cork decoys

[Glenn Haas]

Can I use resin to seal cork decoys? Is there an advantage to restle coating them?

 

[Steve Sanford]

Glenn~


Yes, you could use epoxy resin to coat cork decoys. I typically use Spar Varnish - but epoxy would certainly provide a tougher skin. With either, you need to manage the drips and runs that happen before full cure, especially with epoxy. I usually hang my birds tail down during the cure. With either sealer, I wipe the inevitable big drop that collects at the point of the tail while the material has not yet hardened.


Either sealer needs to be scuff sanded (80-grit is fine) before applying paint - always more work with epoxy. The epoxy would also need to be washed with warm water to remove any amine blush - which prevents paint adhesion.



Restle coating (or similar treatments with ground walnut shells etc) do a great job of reducing shine BUT be aware that the rough surface will hold fine mud and can be very tough to clean. I have had to repaint some decoys that had been exposed to clay-like mud.


All the best,


SJS

 

[Glenn Haas]

Thank you. I?m familiar with restless coating. I?m more concerned about the decoys soaking up water

 

[Steve Sanford]

Glen~


I just sealed these Wave Riders with Spar Varnish. The cork was sound and tight and showed no signs of crumbling. If the cork were in rough shape I would probably use epoxy.


View attachment Wave Riders - Spar Varnish A.JPG



Here they are scuff-sanded and ready for a base coat of flat oil paint.


View attachment Wave Riders - scuff sanded.JPG



All the best,


SJS

 

[bob welsh]

In the past we would use a product called Val Oil or Gym floor sealer and mix with fine sawdust and make a paste to fill the voids on black cork. Both products are not produced anymore. I have not done many corks recently so dont have an alternative . Maybe spar would work in the paste mixture

 

[Steve Sanford]

Bob~


Al McCormick - Long island's Mr. Decoy for many decades - filled the voids on his black cork birds. I believe his mixture was cork dust + spar varnish.


View attachment Black Duck - JCW.JPG



All the best,


SJS




SJS

 

[bob welsh]

thanks Steve

 

[gcs]

If you use resin, thin it down so it soaks in better and to flow into all the nooks and crannies..
I used coal tar epoxy once years ago, and while it looked like it completely covered, it didn't quite get into all the cracks and thus soaked up water...

 

[roy brewington]

Steve do you thin your spar on first coat to get good penetration? That method always seemed to work for me on corks.

 

[Steve Sanford]

Roy~


Yes, I put on 2 coats IF the cork is especially dry and open-pored. The first is thinned with paint thinners, the second is brushed on straight.


All the best,


SJS

 

[perry]

plastic resin glue

 

[Joe Daly]

Steve is correct. Al McCormick used a paste made from cork sawdust and spar varnish to smooth the bodies on his cork decoys.


Joe

 

[Steve Sanford]

Thanks for the corroboration, Joe!


Will you be bringing a vessel to the Duckboat Show on the 30th? I look forward to seeing you.


All the best,


SJS

 

[Joe Daly]

Bringing the Boston Whaler - with the blind on it.
Will see you there.

Joe