Who's using Ronan paints?

Chuck J

Chuck J

Well-known member
I have been thinking of giving them a try. How do you use them: Do you use them exclusively? Do you just base coat? Do you mix in tube oils? Do you just keep them around to sniff after you run out of glue?

I tried out the rustoleum/tube oil thing, and frankly it was too much fussing around. Was hoping to get several basic colors to put on straight, and minimize the time spent mixing. Also contemplating getting some FME mixed...assuming they are compatable.

Any and all thoughts and opinions appreciated,

Chuck
 
Sutton got me started on Ronans in the can. I love them, but the colors are limited. They dry very fast for oil, almost like acrylics and can be mixed with oils. I don’t care to mix with oils, they sheen up quite a bit and the dry time really spaces out. The flat is about as flat as my first girlfriend and almost has a chalky feel. For basic colors (BBs, Cans) you really cant go wrong. I have to bribe to get an annual shipment, haven’t found anyone carrying it n my area. Another option if you can find it is "sign paint". Ronans and sign paint are tough and really can take a beating compared to traditional oil and acrylics.
If you find a good online source, please let me know.
D-
 
I have been thinking of giving them a try. How do you use them: Do you use them exclusively? Do you just base coat? Do you mix in tube oils? Do you just keep them around to sniff after you run out of glue?

I tried out the rustoleum/tube oil thing, and frankly it was too much fussing around. Was hoping to get several basic colors to put on straight, and minimize the time spent mixing. Also contemplating getting some FME mixed...assuming they are compatable.

Any and all thoughts and opinions appreciated,

Chuck
Click to expand...

Chuck,
I use them quite a bit. They are a really neat paint.

Very durable, and dead dead flat. That can be bad if you paint with just straight Ronans, because they will scuff easily.

Right now, I use them as a base coat, and then put tube oils over top. You can mix tube oils in with them, but sometimes the mix can be inconsistent because sometimes you will not get the linseed oil completely mixed within the Ronans. I've tried that, and was disappointed.

One "secret" to Ronans is that you have to let them sit for a minimum of 12 hours inbetween coats to cure. Even though they are dry to the touch in minutes, they still need cure time. Kinda like Jo Sonja acrylics if you've ever tried those.

If you want to try straight Ronans, then I would suggest experimenting with two techniques:
1. Paint your bird to completion and allow time to cure. Then take Johnson paste wax and put on and off several coats. This will keep the flat paint from scuffing.
2. If you can find pure tung oil, mix ~15% ratio into the Ronans, and this will really toughen it up.

Definitely an awesome paint, but it will take some experimenting to get what you want!

Good luck,
Steve
 
Steve - great tips, I plan on trying the tung oil tip, not one I had heard of. I carnuba paste wax my nice deeks every season, seems to give them that extra edge of protection you mentioned and a neat sheen.
 
Great tips guys, thanks!

Steve, can you store the paint after the tung oil is mixed in, or do you need to just mix in what you will use up?

Derek, I have yet to use them, but have heard suggestions to use : http://www.vincentidecoys.com/ronan.htm They have 1/2 pints, Dick Blick seems to only carry quarts. I'm not sure how much shipping will be, as I have heard that paint can be painful to ship.

Chuck
 
Great tips guys, thanks!

Steve, can you store the paint after the tung oil is mixed in, or do you need to just mix in what you will use up?

Derek, I have yet to use them, but have heard suggestions to use : http://www.vincentidecoys.com/ronan.htm They have 1/2 pints, Dick Blick seems to only carry quarts. I'm not sure how much shipping will be, as I have heard that paint can be painful to ship.

Chuck
Click to expand...

Chuck, not only can you store it w/ the tung oil in it, but it will also give it some added shelf life. Keep the rims of the cans clean and store them upside down... I have a couple cans that I use that are over 2 years old and the colors have yet to "skin" over on me. But as Steve said, look at Woodcraft or somewhere and make sure you get 100% (pure) Tung Oil. You're not gonna find it at the box stores.

Vincenti decoys is a great place to get the Ronan online. Shipping isn't as bad as you would think, and Pat and Jeanie have it dialed in. If I'm not mistaken, I think they're closed on Sun, Mon, and Tues. Super people to deal with.
 
Great tips guys, thanks!

Steve, can you store the paint after the tung oil is mixed in, or do you need to just mix in what you will use up?

Derek, I have yet to use them, but have heard suggestions to use : http://www.vincentidecoys.com/ronan.htm They have 1/2 pints, Dick Blick seems to only carry quarts. I'm not sure how much shipping will be, as I have heard that paint can be painful to ship.

Chuck
Click to expand...

Chuck, not only can you store it w/ the tung oil in it, but it will also give it some added shelf life. Keep the rims of the cans clean and store them upside down... I have a couple cans that I use that are over 2 years old and the colors have yet to "skin" over on me. But as Steve said, look at Woodcraft or somewhere and make sure you get 100% (pure) Tung Oil. You're not gonna find it at the box stores.

Vincenti decoys is a great place to get the Ronan online. Shipping isn't as bad as you would think, and Pat and Jeanie have it dialed in. If I'm not mistaken, I think they're closed on Sun, Mon, and Tues. Super people to deal with.
Click to expand...

Dwane,
Hope you got out on the water this year!!

One other thing about storage, I have a refrigerator in my shop, and I store my Ronans in the fridge, upside down as mentioned. During our KY summers, my shop (metal barn) will get 110+, and will wreak havoc on enamels. Keeping them in the fridge will also help preserve paint.

Best,
Steve
 
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