Salvage job on cork decoys?

[Kenmorris]

Can the decoys pictured be made hunt ready again? I have 6-8 of these I picked up last year as part of a second hand lot. I don?t haven?t a clue how to proceed. Any help would be helpful. View attachment FFC18617-D4CA-44C2-AE49-5144805A37B2.jpegView attachment CA744654-411C-4794-9F43-C240D0037B8D.jpeg

 

[Kenneth M Deckman]

They can but some look like they'll need alot of help. You'll need spare cork, small diameter wooden dowels,tite bond 3 glue and bondo

 

[Steve Sanford]

Ken~


I've rehabbed a lot of cork birds. First step is triage: Answering the question: Can this decoy be saved? Just like boats, guns, clothing et cetera, some items can get to a point where they are truly not worth saving. (FYI: I've rehabbed 2 hundred-year-old boats in the past year and regularly shoot a shotgun made in 1925.....)



The bird in Photo 1 would be a candidate for the wood stove in my shop. The body in Photo 2 looks more promising.


I do not have a Tutorial dedicated solely to rescuing cork birds, but this one shows some of my approach.



https://stevenjaysanford.com/painting-goldeneyes-tutorial/


If you posted a photo of each, perhaps we could identify good candidates for rehab. Instead of a wood stove you may need to think about a July 4th bonfire for some.....


All the best,


SJS

 

[gcs]

probably take less time to make new ones....

 

[Kenmorris]

probably take less time to make new ones....

You?re probably right, at least they were cheap[smile]

 

[Dani]

Maybe some of the worst decoys have enough cork that you could turn them into teal or coot decoys.

 

[Kenmorris]

Maybe some of the worst decoys have enough cork that you could turn them into teal or coot decoys.

That?s a solid idea, if I mess it up I?m not out anything! Thanks

 

[Steve Sanford]

Ken~


....and, cork dust (actually, crumbs from rasping) can be used to make a filler when mixed into a slurry with Titebond III. Rasp away at your worst bird for a supply! And, you may also need to cut out a chunk of sound cork to splice into another bird. One bird will make the ultimate sacrifice for the good of the rig!



All the best,


SJS

 

[Kenmorris]

Ken~


....and, cork dust (actually, crumbs from rasping) can be used to make a filler when mixed into a slurry with Titebond III. Rasp away at your worst bird for a supply! And, you may also need to cut out a chunk of sound cork to splice into another bird. One bird will make the ultimate sacrifice for the good of the rig!



All the best,


SJS

Better than it going on the burn pile, I have a perfect candidate.

 

[Joe Daly]

I have used penetrating epoxy brushed heavy onto the crumbling cork. It stabilizes the loose granules and stops the crumbling. Then I use the Sanford bondo of cork and Titebond 3 as filler.


Joe