Decoy paint!

[Johnnybear]

I just replaced some old decoys with some Flambeau classics and the paint on the drakes is flaking off like crazy right out of the box. I was wondering if there is something I can do to help keep this from happening? any suggestions?

[Ian F.]

No

Not being a smartass, but the paint sticks, or it doesn't and changing that can't be done after it's applied. Carrylite was/is the worst as they use recycled plastics that have release agent now part of the plastic and it causes the paint to come off before they are even used.

Very best,

Ian

[NEEHAMA]

i was wondering the same thing. i once tried tremclad but it didn't stick. you almost need an epoxy glue , nail polish, type sticky paint. i hope some one can give us both an idea.

[K-1]

Cabelas has decoy paint kits.

[NEEHAMA]

but is it "magic" paint that actually sticks i wonder? nothing sticks very good. but i'll check it out thanks.

[brotherjack]

Spray it down with a clear coat expoxy or the like; basically something of sufficient thickness and texture to form a solid film over the paint? Thus the paint would be held in place by the clear coat covering it, rather than by adhesion to the plastic below?

I just made that idea up on the spot - no idea if it would work well or not... .

[Dano]

Spray it down with a clear coat expoxy or the like; basically something of sufficient thickness and texture to form a solid film over the paint? Thus the paint would be held in place by the clear coat covering it, rather than by adhesion to the plastic below?

I just made that idea up on the spot - no idea if it would work well or not... .

Might work but will probably leave a shiny finish which will cause birds to flare off. Short of roughing up the surface and repainting, you probably won't have any luck getting paint to stick.
You can help keep the paint on by using the decoy bags that seperate the decoys into individual pockets (Ian has them). This keeps the decoys from rubbing and banging into each other during transport. A good idea on all decoys and I'm investing in a few of the bags myself for next season as I can already see a few marks on the GHG decoys I bought for this season.
Dan

[phoenix]

You might try that Krylon Fusion paint as a base and then paint over them but that would still require you to clean them off completely and then repaint. How old are they? Maybe you could take them back for warranty. If you wanted to try brotherjacks idea I think they also make a Fusion Matte clear coat but I don't think it would work all that great.
Kim

[Johnnybear]

I think the only thing to do is get those bags Dano was talking about with the individual slots. This seems to be the biggest problem having them banging or rubbing against each other. I might buy a can of flat or matte clear coat and try it on one as an experiment. I'll post the results.

[Ian F.]

You can get a dozen GHG hot buy mallards for $25, next question?

www.bagdepot.com, has the best prices on pocket bags

Painting plastic is just a time thing, given time the paint comes off plastic, only question is how long. As a decoy carver I have an idea of the time and effort for a repaint and beat up old plastics become basic divers or scoters, just too much time and effort in repainting plastics compared to buying new..

Ian