I need a little decoy help from the pros

fred slyfield

fred slyfield

Well-known member
Guys, several years ago I purchased the "king Can" decoy Yukon Mike donated to the site.

Anyway, he has developed 2 cracks in his chest that run from where the bottom board is attached up towards his neck, the cracks are very slight but enough to let water in when I hunt him.

Can anyone advise the best way to seal the cracks and make him waterproof again?

Thanks for your help

Fred
 
Fred, while I'm not a Pro I would say if the decoy is wet now you better retire it for this season. If it's hollow I'd think you'd have to open it up and do some work on the inside first then fill and touch up the outside where the cracks have appeared. If it's solid wood I'd say it's a shelf bird now unless you want to hollow it and release the stress in the wood.
 
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Thanks Brad, it;s hollow and I have it in the house drying out, it dripped about a cup of water out of it last night when i took it out of the boat.

Fred
 
Fred-
If he is hollow, drill a small hole in an inconspicous place and pour in some plasti-dip , roll the decoy around to ensure a good coast inside. Them I would fill the cracks with microballoon/epoxy blend and call it good. Its a gunning bird - so get it sturdy and usable. I did this with a deek and it worked perfect. Or just bring it down later this year when you come to hunt :)
D-
 
Thanks guys. I removed the screws from the keel and it wasn't glued on so I'm going to drill a couple holes under the keel area and get it good and dry inside.

Fred
 
When I do repairs on my cedar decoys, whether my own or for a customer, I use West Systems epoxy. For a crack, like you describe, I would set the decoy in the house and leave it inside until spring/summer. That should give it plenty of time to "air dry". When you go to make the repair, sand down to the wood where the crack is and about 1/2" on either side of the crack. West System makes an expoy repair kit, available at marine store. Follow the instructions on the epoxy and use the filler that is provided in the kit to make the epoxy nice and thick. Spread it on there nice, let dry 24hrs and then sand. Its good as new.

I have several of my own cedar decoys that were shot and one that got caught in a prop and chewed up real bad. I repaired using west system and the decoys are stronger than they were new and the best part is, I can't even tell which ones I've repaired now.
 
If this happened to any decoys of mine, I would prefer that person send it back to me for repairs. I say that from a carver and collector's perspective.

So far the best advice is to retire it for the season and let it dry out. Don't try and speed this process! Keep it away from ducts and wood stoves etc.

I know Mike is on quite the quest with his family right now and his location isn't the most convenient for shipping, but I would at least get his advice before moving forward.

But that's just me.
 
Dwane gives good advice. A carver knows his own birds best. The second best option would be to send it to a reputable carver to have it fixed. I know Mike's birds and would be comfortable fixing it (Dwane and many others on the site could do it as well). Who knows...ask Mike...my working on his decoy might add value (just kidding Mike).

If you want my help PM me..
 
Fred, let me take care of that when I get back. Drill a hole to let him dry and I'll take care of it in the summer. I'm in Vietnam right now but will be home by june-ish. I'd like to open it up and seal the inside as well as repair the crack. No cost, just lete try to fix it.

Mike
 
Mike , Thanks so much I took the keel screws out and removed the keel then drilled 2 wine cork sized holes, he is resting on the entry way table as a Christmas decoration.

I'll let him sit out the rest of the season

Fred
 
I have a drake goldeneye deek that is in a similiar situation drying in my basement as I type this. This is a bird I carved for Cheech Kehoe and has taken on lots of water. I figure it will be dry enough to do something with by summer. Part of the fix will involve epoxy saturation of the interior.

John
 
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