Wood putty for setting decoy eyes

Chuck J

Chuck J

Well-known member
Most guys talk about using acetone based wood putty/plastic wood for settting eyes. Has anyone had trouble with the water based stuff? I have a tub of it that is "waterproof" and "interior/exterior" according to the label, but wondered why so many use acetone based rather than water.

Thanks
Chuck
 
Dries quicker, harder and you can use a small paintbrush after it's dry to shape the lids. The waterbased..tried it...seemed to shrink a lot more and wasn't as adhesive plus when dry you cant use water to soften it back up. The acetone stuff, you can have a can go hard on you and put a few drops of acetone in the can, close the lid and after a bit have it usable again. I've tried apoxy sculpt too and couldn't get the hang of it although I have rolled little boogers of it into balls to use for eyes that I painted when I didn't have the right size or color in the bag.
 
I use the 2-part ribbon epoxy (one side blue, the other white) to seat my eyes. I'll then use Apoxie Sculpt to set the upper and lower eye lids. It is water soluable so you can use a small paint brush and water to get it just right. It sands and carves easily too. I've used QuickWood that Rockler sells and that is OK also. I have used wood putty from the can a few times and didn't like it. Dries too fast and is caustic.

Nate
 
I use apoxy sculpt that I get from a taxidermist buddy of mine. works great and is usually cheaper than other two part epoxys.
 
Thanks guys, great info.

Lee, I had noticed the shrinkage issue, my solution was two fold, try not to make deep gouges where I don't want them (which sometime doesn't quite work) and apply thinner, multiple coats. Didn't know you could rewet the acetone based after it was already hard.

I might have to give the 2 part a try as well.

Chuck
 
I've always used apoxy sculpt. Easy to shape with a paintbrush, dries hard, etc. My buddy still has one of the small 4 oz(?) containers that is still good after 5 years. You can get 1 lb for like $12 or so.
 
The biggest problem with two part stuff is when you actually hunt the deke and someone shoots it's eye out. You have to drill it out to put a new eye in. With the wood putty you can stick the tip of your knife under whats left and pop it out. It's also the same when you come back after letting it cure and see that you have one eye looking up and one down...or your "buddy" poked it to see if it's dry...the epoxies make you use a new eye
 
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