Patrick,
As I've stated before. I bought into the dead flat paint on gunning decoys. Until I carved a rig to use in Sask. with flat oil paint finish.
Long story short, as the morning progressed birds flared. I took a long walk up hills above the marsh we were hunting, and saw the water on the decoys was throwing a very noticeable glare.
Water throws a glare much like a mirror & glass, (refraction, etc.) that we have all seen while in the outdoors.
Maybe not a great example, but when ya see a well waxed vehicle, the paint does not throw a glare. The windshield (much like water) at angles, does throw one heck of a glare, that does draw your attention, and not for the better.
I found that flat surface paint held water for a very longtime. Especially if ya toss decoys (that's why the keel to help self right) even on calm days.
Decoys with a sheen shed water very well ASAP, and have a much less glare.
Seeing it with my own eyes, made me a believer.
How you get the sheen on your decoys is your preference, as they are your creations.
Jim S., is the late Jim Schmiedlin, 1945 - 2015.
A man of keen observation, detail, functionality, and intended purpose.
If one studies his decoys. You will note that his gunning decoys, have much more sheen than his decorative decoys. When in many cases it is the opposite.
That is the AH - HAA moment of truth.
As a Navy man he knew water, glare, and gunning conditions better than most.
Everything he did he thought through, from small details, to the big picture.
If you go to the facebook page dedicated to him, you will see some of his Wood Ducks... Killers.
Your decoys have style & quality that makes them standout. Hold on to that as long as ya can.
Best regards
Vince
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