Mallard Repaints

[Crispy]

Hi guys,
Just got done running through repainting some mallard decoys and I'm curious what you guys think. First time ever doing repaints.. I figure they won't flare birds, at least  .. Other than what you see here, I'll hit them with some flat clear to protect them and call it good!

[h2ofowlr]

Good enough to get a duck in close.

[ICEMAN]

Looks good to me. I have wanted to try this but ended up with new dekes instead when I walked by some on sale... 

[terrellwa]

They look great.  A lot easier than you thought it would be right?  I would suggest now to do some repaints of other species.  I know you have the GWT and mallards but think of all the other hunters that have that exact setup.  You need to look different than all the other plastic ducks sitting on the water as they fly over.  Great job though for sure will get 'em.  And glad you are on the forum.

[h2ofowlr]

I would learn how to do proper location, quality decoys spreads and concealment.  That will give you the heads up on the competition.  I see many guys that just throw them out in front of there boat and wonder why there not getting any action.     It will also help those that see lots of birds, may only shoot a few.  If your seeing birds outside the spread, you should be able to suck them in.  Not counting the big flocks a mile high.  Those take additional work.

[Crispy]

I would learn how to do proper location, quality decoys spreads and concealment.

I'm still working on the first two. This will be my second season really giving it a good shot so I figure I'm putting my time in trying to learn as much as I can.

As for these decoys, I'm going to try to tone the bill color down a bit as I think they are too bright. I'll post up the results and will be curious for feedback  I don't have any mallard decoys of my own so I was just winging the repaints. I'll probably do them over either mid-season or before next season.. hopefully they'll look like a 4th grader painted the bodies, as opposed to 2nd grade!

[Crispy]

Alright, got the bills toned down. I like them much better. Not sure what else I should do to make them a little nicer before the season other than coat them with flat clear.. I'm pretty curious to see how they work out. 

[General Disarray]

Hot Buys are under $30/dozen and actually look like a duck.  1985 circa Carrylites and 3rd grade Tempura paints work great for youth day decoy painting.  I hate those damn decoys with the aqua keel that comes up the front! Never fails to soak my hands when it's 10 degrees out. 

C'mon, you all were thinking it but no one had the balls to say it to him!

[ICEMAN]

Hot Buys are under $30/dozen and actually look like a duck.  1985 circa Carrylites and 3rd grade Tempura paints work great for youth day decoy painting.  I hate those damn decoys with the aqua keel that comes up the front! Never fails to soak my hands when it's 10 degrees out. 

C'mon, you all were thinking it but no one had the balls to say it to him!

No need to be a jerk about it. You don't like his repaints, OK, we get it. I like them. They will work. I bet you are a ton of fun to hunt with....

There is alot of value to repainting dekes. It is fun to repaint, fun to shoot over dekes that you rehabilitated. I only wish that my dad or grandfather duck hunted, as I would be spending hours repainting some of them. I would also keep some in their tattered condition.


Duck hunting isn't about just having the newest most realistic duck decoy on the pond.

[snocohunter]

I've been repainting a few of the heads with my cousin who paints cars. He did a test run using moss green pearl mixed with just the clear binder/base for automotive paint followed up with a matte clearcoat. They look awesome. Will post pics soon...