I use Ronans quite a bit and really like them, but they are flat flat flat. If you paint with just pure Ronans the bird will scuff because the paint is so flat. Hence why you see folks mixing some tube oils with them. Many carvers will base coat with Ronans and then paint tube oils over top. When I took a carving class with Grayson, he does use Ronans and mixes tube oils with them. After the bird has had a week to cure, he will rub a varnish over top of the bird tinted with burnt umber to finish and keep the paint from scuffing.
Several years ago, I spoke to the chemist at Ronans and he explained some of the science behind the paint. It was designed as a sign paint, and never meant for immersion in H2O like what we do for decoys. One very important thing to remember is even though Ronans dry quick, they need at least 12 hours to cure before putting another coat over top. The paint needs time to allow the binder to completely evaporate.
A trick that I read years ago was to mix some pure tung oil with the Ronans. I have a magnum rig of goldeneyes that Glenn Sweet made for me last year, and my plan is to finish the birds out, and seal with pure tung oil. Then mix ~25% tung oil with the Ronans and finish the bird that way. Caution, I have ONLY read this and haven't tried it yet, but I have all the stuff to get started. I will let everyone know my results. Unfortunately, at my rate of decoy production, it will probably be 2014......
Haven't ever used Goldens. I have quite a few decoys that were painted with Ronans. They have held up very well in my rig, and I really like the finished product.
Best advice is to try a little bit of everything until you find what YOU like.
Best,
Steve
