Painted some decoys

Joss · 11-30-2007, 03:02 PM

My G&H mallards were looking really bad so I gave it a try..... Any thoughts or critique........

I hope the photo's come out. This was my first try.......

joss

Mallard Decoy.JPG

2 decoys.JPG

DukAddict · 11-30-2007, 03:04 PM

One problem with the type of paint you used I believe is that you will be getting a very high sheen when the sun is out and the water hits these decoys. I really like the black and white and the heads on each of the decoys but the main body colors may be a problem. Just my 2 cents. But overall great job and great attention to detail

Brett Neffendorf

fishinpoor · 11-30-2007, 03:07 PM

I agree,looks like a potential shine problem,other than that not bad

steelheadslayer · 11-30-2007, 03:08 PM

Those look pretty good. I like the heads, they look awesome.

The only thing I see that you may consider when painting more is the amount of brown paint that comes over the back. Perhaps a narrower band of brown and not so much bringing the breast color back down the sides so far might be desirable. Having said that, I see no reason why you shouldn't kill a bunch of ducks over them this season painted just as they are.

ampersat · 11-30-2007, 03:22 PM

No worries on that shine. Two trips out and they should dull right up.

adobe wall · 11-30-2007, 03:47 PM

way to shiny, and the colors aren't right. Not a flame, you just asked for a critique.

FWIW, I had a dozen Flambeaus that had shed their paint in record time and I put a very similar (but dead flat) paint job on them. I hunted them 4 trips and had a lot of birds in air, a lot of first looks, but didn't kill much. I gave the decoys away and bought some new (different brand) and commenced to killing birds again.

Take them out and try them, but if you are flaring birds or only getting a wide circle or two with no committment it's time to replace them.

I think if you're shooting birds with their feet down, in heavily hunted areas, the decoys have to look good. I spent enough money painting dekes to realize it's not cost effective or a good use of my time. I'll give them away or paint them up for divers and sea ducks or use them as second bouys on crab pots.

jmho, aw

Joss · 11-30-2007, 04:00 PM

thanks guys, My mom and i are having a good time doing this and experimenting. I will play around and show some more posts later.....

Gun Rod Bow · 11-30-2007, 04:18 PM

Since you have internet access, look up decoy company adds and do some image searches on Mallards and do your best to duplicate them.

Dont be afraid to mix colors of paint in small batches.

For instances add some brown to the grey, black with the grey, etc.

Pay attention to the zones of color.

Looks like you are having fun.

If you need some more blocks to try with I'll look around and see if I have some to donate.

PS, go black on the eyes.

Keep trying. It would be really cool to kill some birds over the ones you painted yourself.

Hunt'nFish · 11-30-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adobe wall

FWIW, I had a dozen Flambeaus that had shed their paint in record time and I put a very similar (but dead flat) paint job on them. I hunted them 4 trips and had a lot of birds in air, a lot of first looks, but didn't kill much. I gave the decoys away and bought some new (different brand) and commenced to killing birds again.

Take them out and try them, but if you are flaring birds or only getting a wide circle or two with no committment it's time to replace them.

jmho, aw

Dave, so are you telling me I shouldn't give them away to a young hunter???
They look fine to me. Did you mud them up 1st?

Joss, as long as your having fun that is great, but if replacement $ is an issue, PM me and I'll swap you for some better stuff. Or we'll pass the jar and fix ya w/ new. I have a pile of used gunners just waiting to go home w/ some young hunter.

But it sure would be cool to see some pics of you and some ducks over those refurbished G&H's.
Hunt'nFish

adobe wall · 11-30-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunt'nFish

Dave, so are you telling me I shouldn't give them away to a young hunter???
They look fine to me. Did you mud them up 1st?

I think there's better stuff out there HnF but if that was all I could get, you bet I'd hunt over them!

And I'll chip in with your offer as well. Joss, if you need some decoys save the money you're spending on paint and buy some ammo. I'll pitch in on some decoys as well. Send me a pm, or send one to HuntnFish and he can fwd it my way.

regards
aw

Joss · 11-30-2007, 05:08 PM

Thanks guys. Money is not an issue so to speak. Its just not high on the priority list right now. I have always wanted to try this and the money i have into so far is about $20.00 for nine decoys.. Can't complain there. I will keep you guys posted....

Limbhanger · 11-30-2007, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adobe wall

I think there's better stuff out there HnF but if that was all I could get, you bet I'd hunt over them!

And I'll chip in with your offer as well. Joss, if you need some decoys save the money you're spending on paint and buy some ammo. I'll pitch in on some decoys as well. Send me a pm, or send one to HuntnFish and he can fwd it my way.

regards
aw

I think I have close to a dozen older flambeaus I would be willing to give away........

Your paint job is very nice and clean, but look at some good reference pictures for a more realistic look.

Dave Smith · 11-30-2007, 06:34 PM

Spray them with Testors dull coat, they will dull right up. If you don't have an airbrush, try dry-brushing areas that need to blend. Look at reference to see which colors have a sharp line and which are blended into each other. Nice work- way to keep the heads dark. Dave Smith

Joss · 11-30-2007, 08:52 PM

I have read about the Dull Cote.... Do i need a specific hobby shop to get it. Any idea's would be great.

Meridian · 12-02-2007, 07:14 AM

While looking through Cabellas catalog I ran across a paint kit for decoys. Evan came with instructions for the different birds to paint. At fishermans marine I saw a kit as well. I think both were about 20.00. Hope this helps.

Joss · 12-02-2007, 12:53 PM

thanks Maridian......I have attached some updates and playing around. I think the Hen is to light so I need to play a bit more. My mom found a simple way to get rid of the glare. I tried using the Dull Coat but did not notice much of a change....

Anyway. Any thoughts on the newest birds..

thanks Joss

Hen 1.JPG

Hen 2.JPG

MD2.JPG

MD 1.JPG

Acuta · 12-02-2007, 01:09 PM

Very nice looking paint job. Drybrushing the feather tips on the hens is a nice touch. Adds contrast to the deke at longer ranges/bright sunlight. Did you seal the paint? I have done some Bluebill repaints that came out nice, but the paint was dead in one season, redid them in the off-season and sprayed them with Matte clear acrylic (rattle can). They needed a bit of "mudding", but after that they looked VERY good and the paint is still holding up 4 years later (mind you, I only hunt divers 2-3 times a year).

Eric

Ps. The hens are not too light, maybe a bit too grey, but not too light. Look at Suzies from a distance and they tend to be a light brown/cinnamon color. I'd leave em as-is. Worse case scenario they kinda look like Greyduck which is NOT a bad thing in a spread these days.

mr_bones4 · 12-02-2007, 05:45 PM

The updated ones look good. A huge improvement from the first ones that you posted. Nice job!

Dave Smith · 12-02-2007, 06:08 PM

I wouldn't paint/expose the speculum on the drakes- almost a sure sign of a "decoy" and not a real bird. Be careful with using clear acrylics to dull- some of them will polish to a nice shine after a little use and others will turn a milky white. Testors is great- it needs to be shaken and WARM- the decoy needs to be warm, also and coated in a dry environment to kill the glare. You are always way better off to make the PAINT dull and not have to try to dull things down later. First glance at the hens look like they could use a little red & yellow- very nice work. Dave

MarlinMark · 12-02-2007, 06:14 PM

Joss,

I just want to give you a shout out of encouragement. When I was younger and didn't have 2 boys thrashing around, I used to tie all my own flies. It was very rewarding and fun. I think your on to something here and have a great mentor in Dave Smith.

Mark

Joss · 12-02-2007, 07:27 PM

Thanks for all the reply's. My mom being the painting person in the family, my kids have actually helped on the first sets. Kind of a family thing I gues you could say.

Dave: thanks for all input. I will get the testors and us it the way you indicated. Is it ok to use multiple coats of the Krylon Matte and then hit it w/Testors... Or should i just use the Testor's. Or do you suggest another sealer.

I am not quite sure what "Scapulars" are, are they the blue feathers on the wings?

Tulelicious · 12-02-2007, 11:11 PM

They are looking pretty good. Ive often thought of doing this myself for fun. How much time do you have invested into the dekes youve done so far?

Joss · 12-03-2007, 07:04 AM

I've got nine done so far. the paint dry's pretty fast if you know what colors you are using. I suspect about an hour and a half or so. Thats after I prime them, which is scrub with a wire brush to get all the dirt off, wipe down with acetone and flash them then prime.

I have heard of people baking the paint on but i have not figured out what that means. I have heard about people using their at low temp or a hair dryer. My big thing is getting the dull coat on them. I think I need to fog them with the sealer rather than doing it like a spray paint.

I am having a good time dong this. I have about 30 mallards that will eventually be done.... Maybe not this season but a few will hunt with me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tulelicious

They are looking pretty good. Ive often thought of doing this myself for fun. How much time do you have invested into the dekes youve done so far?

Hunt'nFish · 12-03-2007, 07:17 AM

Joss,
The updated pics look very nice. Your definately on the right track now.
Keep up the good work.
Hunt'nFish

Joss · 12-03-2007, 09:03 AM

Thanks HuntnFish........ I think I will tone down the blue on the wings a bit and take them out and see what happens on Wednesday.......

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunt'nFish

Joss,
The updated pics look very nice. Your definately on the right track now.
Keep up the good work.
Hunt'nFish

Dave Smith · 12-03-2007, 09:32 AM

Joss- just looked closer at the pics- the drake is nailed- colors are great- yes, the speculum are the blue feathers with the white edges- I would loose them altogether (on the drakes only), but it doesn't matter that much. Though there are lot's of hens that are light like yours, I think you will kill more birds with a little richer, "reddish brown" color. I don't know exactly why- it just seems to work that way.
Remember your painting Polyethelene decoys, so throw out the ideas of sealing and priming. The only way to make paint stick to PE, is to flame treat the surface- this has already been done at the factory so don't strip off the base layer of paint. Instead, paint over the existing colors or at least base color with an ULTRA flat paint, then don't spray ANY clear coats over that. If you have to touch them up from time to time, so be it. Do this if you want to kill birds. Take advantage of the fact that you are custom painting and make all your hens a slightly different color- keep your drakes consistent but just like you have them: dark heads, reddish brown breasts, and "un-ripe banana" culmens. Keep it up!! There is NOTHING like shooting birds over your own creations.
Dave