Painting plastic decoys

R

rfberan

Active member
I know this question has been brought up in the past, but I wondered what if anything has worked for painting the GHG decoys which have their paint chipping off. I also understand many on this site won't stoop so low as to use plastics. Having both a rig of corks and a rig of hollow white cedar I respect this philosophy. However, I've found that tromping through the muck in our marsh trying to have the quantity of blocks I want, that I've gone back to plastics. That said, I need to repaint some of my GHG teal decoys just after one season. I assume I need to abraid the plastic first. Then wondered which primer anyone has found adheres well.

Also, has anyone gone back to GHG with this issue with any success?

Thanks for the assistance.
 
Other than the bunch of foamers I am working on, my whole rig is plastic. Mix of G&H, Carrylite, Flambeau and a few GHG.

I have repainted most of the the Carrylite and Flambeau divers. The G&H only got painted because I turned my can & redhead hens into drakes. Other than that, the G&H are 8-10 years old and still look great. My Carrylite gadwalls are holding up very well too, go figure?

On all of these I have used mostly FME from Lou and some plain old Rustoleum flat white & black. The FME is fantastic stuff, even sticks to Carrylight plastic. I highly reccomend it.

I've got 6 GHG buffies. Have had some minor paint chipping but nothing major.
 
One of the suggested ways to deal with paint flaking is to flame the surface of the plastic to alter the molecular structure for better paint adhesion.

My suggestion would be to make a big pile of your plastic decoys, cover with gasoline and ignite (note: do this outside, since is will be smokey and don't breathe the smoke). This treatment would be especially appropriate with any moto ducks you may have as well.

T
 
I have had good luck with rustoleum and FME on plastic. Clean it very well first and get the flaky paint off. Scrubbing them with a scotchbrite pad and laquer thinner has worked for me. Sand and clean in one step!

Gene
 
The ones I have done have been total repaints so I wire brushed and powerwashed them.
I used a base coat of krylon fusion that is supposed to bond with the plastic. They have held up well so far.
 
Buy yourself a slotted decoy bag and keep your rig in these. I go a step further and wrap my dekes in some old fleece cloths or dishtowels inside the slotted bag. It protects the paint and makes your dekes last longer...
 
Tod,

If you went to Catholic grammar school ?

You were the one the nuns threw the chalk at.

You were the one the nuns hit on the knuckles with a ruler.

Now fess up if it is true.

Regards, Bill
 
Oh you are a spoil sport Todd, I thought you loved moto ducks , HeHeHe.
Take care and God God Bless
Eddie and Amber
Its all about Building that Bond.
 
I too have problmes with paint on my GHG Green Wing teal, especially the drakes. Solved the problem by switching to G&H decoys (Cablellas may still have them on sale). I think GHG look better out of the box, but G&H look a whole lot better after as season or two as they hold their paint and look almost as good as the day I bought them. Made in America and they stand behind their decoys.

-Bill
 
I too have problmes with paint on my GHG Green Wing teal, especially the drakes. Solved the problem by switching to G&H decoys (Cablellas may still have them on sale). I think GHG look better out of the box, but G&H look a whole lot better after as season or two as they hold their paint and look almost as good as the day I bought them. Made in America and they stand behind their decoys.

-Bill
Click to expand...

I agree. A buddy of mine had a dzn ringnecks that started losing paint after 3 seasons of hard use. G&H replaced the whole dzn. He shipped the old dekes to them, they shipped him a new dzn. My G&H gadwalls, cans & redheads look almost new after 8-10 years. If I took the time to wash them, they probably would look new. Only issue I have had is a few head cracking at the base, but this is from me stepping on them while bagged up in the boat.
 
Tod,

If you went to Catholic grammar school ?

You were the one the nuns threw the chalk at.

You were the one the nuns hit on the knuckles with a ruler.

Now fess up if it is true.

Regards, Bill
Click to expand...


No nuns past and present :(.
 
I converted some hand me down plastic dekes last year.
1st wait until wife is gone for the day.
2nd wire brush by hand.
3rd throw as many as possible in dish washer
4th set to heated water and turn off heated dry. Use dish washer soap.
5th remove and place in warm dry environment and wait until they are completely dry.
6th do the dishes while waiting. It never hurts
7th use plastic cote as base layer
8th paint
9th finish with flat clear coat. Adds a little protection.
10th. Enjoy

 
"One of the suggested ways to deal with paint flaking is to flame the surface of the plastic to alter the molecular structure for better paint adhesion.

My suggestion would be to make a big pile of your plastic decoys, cover with gasoline and ignite (note: do this outside, since is will be smokey and don't breathe the smoke). This treatment would be especially appropriate with any moto ducks you may have as well.

T "

You just made my late OT shift worth taking.
 
If you clean the plastic dekes with brake cleaner and a rag just prior to painting the paint will stick better. I am not sure why it works but it works for oil enamel paints.
 
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