Painting decoys

[BOGSTER]

I have tons of old decoys that I need to do something with.

I want to repaint them in different species...probably divers and such.

I am particular. I will paint detail probably more than is needed.

What kind of paint should I use?

I assume a coat of primer?

[beanhunter]

a lot of what I have in the paint lines you can find at walmart in the craft section-micheals has a lot of odd color paints-another thing I did was get some sample stuff from lowe's-if you get the right associate you can talk them into some freebies since now they want to charge for small containers---I'm just getting into this so only my.02

[ESSO82]

Jansens makes a good paint. Not sure about on plastic though. Contact Willy at theduckblind.com and he will set you up. A good primer is a good idea. you can use quite a few different things to prime and add texture.

[BOYKINS & GOLDENS]

Parker.

[cudexter]

Bog

clean the old paint off ( Tsp or the like)

Valspar ( lowes brand of paint) sells a spray paint specifically made for plastic- comes in clear. Once that dries you can paint like normal over it. Spray a flat or satin clear enamel over that for protection.

I work in the paint department for whatever that's worth and above is exactly what I would do.

Sample cans of paint from lowes cost 2.94 and they are half pints- plenty of paint

[Gunning Bird]

There are a couple of issues to be considered.

First, the decoys need a thorough cleaning/brushing/degreasing. Use what you've got on hand.

Secondly primer/paint. One option is to prime with an automotive primer specifically made for painting plastics (bumpers etc.) which is available at most automotive parts houses and then paint with a decent quality paint (Ronan's, Parkers, Jansens, Goldens Matte). Another option is to use paints specifically made for plastics like CuDex mentions above.

[tsmart]

After you clean them good, and before you paint....

Remember, decoys flex in heat/cold - a lot of the reason paint comes off.

Use an adhesion promoter to help the paint stay intact.

Duplicolor makes one...

http://www.amazon.com/Duplicolor-Adh.../dp/B0007UAXJQ

T.

[cudexter]

I should add I am for quantity ( # of deeks) over quality ($$) when repainting my plastic decoys.

Listen to gunning bird- except his teal butts are just a shade off.

[Gunning Bird]

Alrighty now, Dex. A quick review of the teal pair by 2-time world champion JW (Simpsonville resident) last Sunday said they were both dead on and I'm leavin' them alone as far as painting is concerned. Since the paint has likely cured enough to this point, they'll get the final clear coat lacquer this afternoon.

Hopefully Bog will get the point about not using regular craft store paint on the decoys in order to avoid an Avery/GHG gaffe. Proper priming on plastic is key and from what I understand, that's been the cause of all the GHG paint issues we've seen.

As much as I hate to relay the story as it may add some confusion, it does bear pointing out that a good quality paint is well worth the expense. My FIL came to visit about 5 or 6 years ago and asked if I had any old decoys he could have. He had just built a house on a pond near Kissimmee, Fl and he wanted to float the pair out back just for fun. I found a pair of Flambozos and dressed them up a bit with some Golden Matte acrylics. Don't think I primed them but I know that they were clean, 20+ years old and any oil residue was long since gone.

Long story short, the decoys have been floating in the pond 24/7/365 for the last 5-6 years and the paint is still on them. Granted, they haven't been banged around other than having a gator crunch them on occasion (they both survived multiple attack and are now full of expanded foam). Definitely confirmed my belief in using a quality paint.

[ACC/Boykin]

Bog, if they are plastics, after they have been cleaned well and sanded one of the best plastic primers out is a product called "gripper." It's a latex based primer that bonds great to plastics with good flexibility. Found at any local paint store not sure if Lowe's or HD carries it or not.

[BOGSTER]

Thanks for the replies.

I need to expand my diver spread.