Sealing burlaped decoys

[Kevin Puls]

I had a sudden dreadful thought today. I think that I used to put spar varnish over the tile mastic I used for burlapping decoys before priming. That was 20 years ago. I’ve done 8 or so decoys this winter without varnishing. Just priming.

Does anyone just burlap and mastic without sealing their decoys with varnish?

 

[Don Mintz]

In the past when I was burlapping decoys I would do two or three coats of gloss oil based enamel on them, both as a sealer and a base color. then I'd paint over it with oil based paints to keep everything compatible. The enamel soaks into the burlap and mastic pretty well.

 

[Michael McCord1]

By the time season rolls back around whatever you put on should be fully cured. As long as it’s exterior grade primer and paint I would think you’ll be fine

 

[Carl]

I always just primed with Kilz

 

[James Boyd]

I have some decoys I burlapped that are well past the 20 year mark with heavy use that were only sealed with oil based paint

 

[roy brewington]

Always used tinted kilz as a primer then 2 coats exterior paint over that. No issues with water deteriation.