Question on epoxy procedure for decoys

Brad F

Brad F

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What do you folks use to spread the epoxy on the joint when fastening two part wood decoys together with thickened epoxy? I have done a few wood decoys...doing more wood decoys now that my cork has run out and I have lots of wood to use up. I've tried wood sticks, tongue depressors, etc., but that doesn't seem to efficient? As I have been advised in the past I wet the joint with epoxy and then add some thickened expoxy in the joint when I fasten the halves together. I was thinking maybe inexpensive disposable brushes from a craft store maybe? Any tips on this procedure would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
 
I don't make hollow birds, but when I apply exoxy reg or thickend, I use plastic knives. Buy a big box from costco will last you quite some time. I also use them for grabbing paint to mix together.
 
What do you folks use to spread the epoxy on the joint when fastening two part wood decoys together with thickened epoxy? I have done a few wood decoys...doing more wood decoys now that my cork has run out and I have lots of wood to use up. I've tried wood sticks, tongue depressors, etc., but that doesn't seem to efficient? As I have been advised in the past I wet the joint with epoxy and then add some thickened expoxy in the joint when I fasten the halves together. I was thinking maybe inexpensive disposable brushes from a craft store maybe? Any tips on this procedure would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...


Chip brushes are a great way to spread epoxy, but pretty wasteful to throw them away after one use. You can buy them in bulk and they are pretty inexpensive.
 
acid brushes work good and you can buy in bulk. I try to have a half dozen decoys ready to go when I put the two parts of the body together that way you only use one brush at a time.
 
Thanks for the replies. Acid brushes?? are those short black bristles with metal handles?

UPDATE...................OK, I looked them up and have them ID'd. Thanks to all!

Again thanks in advance for the help.

Brad
 
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acid brushes and popsicle sticks......indespensible..... don't be afraid to trim the end of the sticks to suit what you are doing....
 
Brad wet the joint and let it dry then add your thickened epoxy the next day. You will get a nicer seam without the wood robbing epoxy from the joint. I use a stick to do all of that work. Will have to buy more popsicles next Summer and pay higher dentist bills to get a few more sticks.
 
Little Acid Brushes and Craft Sticks. Bought the brushes at harbor freight for super cheap. Craft sticks at wally world are cheap.
 
I think I am making to much out of this so I've deleted yet another question. You folks have covered it well for me.

Again, thanks to all for the info and advice.

Brad


 
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Brad:
Like others, I do a light coat of straight epoxy on both surfaces and then spread the thickened epoxy with a tongue depressor. Sort of like you see a mason lay a brick. mound it up on the edge and let it squish outta the sides. I thicken my epoxy to a bit stiffer than peanut butter, This lets it squish without running down the sides.

Good luck!!
 
Okay Terry, I'll bite:

What kind of peanut butter runs? You eating that healthy organic stuff with all the oil? My Jiff only runs if it's on hot toast. Now I'm going to have to check what Jiff uses for fillers - micro balloons or sawdust. :^)

Scott
 
See Scott thats just my point, peanut butter does not run! Although I prefer the tried and true Jif, my cardiologist is wholly against it. LOL

I thicken with a 50/50 mix of fumed silica and microballoons. This keeps it soft enough to prevent chipping when you grind it down and makes for an almost invisible joint. I keep adding until it looks like it may be too much, then mix it up real good. You should have peaks that do not diminish. About like room temperature Jif. When laminating your decoy, it will create a bead around the joint, but should not run down the side, avoiding those pesky hard spots on the decoy.
 
Now the BEST peanut butter is, smooth style peanut butter which has a spoonful of honey blended into it. Spread that on a piece of fresh home made bread = YUMMMM YUMMMM

'Course I wouldn't recommend it for gluing decoy bodies., just for refueling the carver.
 
Peanut Butter and Honey, what a great snack! I traded a Branding Iron with a bee keeper in Florida, I ended up with about 12 different flavors of honey. Most were yummy, a couple I didn't much care for. I grew up on store bought blended honey, it was an eye opener to taste the variety that's available.
 
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