an odd burlap question

Lawrence Kotchek

Active member
Hi All,
I just bought 6 old Restle mallards (Beaver Dam vintage), one has some mouse chew damage on the bottom foam (about 2 inches deep and 4 x 3 inches across). I want to seal the foam back up so water doesn't get in (if water even gets in to foam).
I have tile mastic left over from burlapping a bunch of herters geese a while ago but no burlap.
The question is do I need burlap? Will a piece of a t-shirt work? It will be below the waterline so not worrying about texture or how it looks.

Thanks in advance, these are neat decoys - absolutely huge for big water
 
Seems like it would take a long time for that mastic to cure, and it would be heavy. I know you have the mastic lying around and all but it wouldn't be my first choice for the repair. If it were me, I'd fill the hole with spray foam, sand it flush with the bottom of the decoy, then seal over it with some epoxy. That said, this seems like a Steve Sanford special.

Mike
 
I have filled herters and restles with construction adhesive from the tube. That big an area you should layer it in allowing each to cure. It hardens well and is workable easily for final finish. I,ve mainly restle coated over these repaired decoys and there have been no problems after many years.If you plan on burlaping you can purchase small amounts at lowes or similar bx store in landscape section. If it was myself doing a restles I,d restle coat it .
 
no need to restle coat, the damage is on the bottom to the side of the keel. That area is flat hard foam and smooth with a stamped in address. I just don't want water to soak into the foam. I basically want to seal it so no water intrusion, the area can stay concave I think unless the decoy wouldn't ride right after...
 
Good morning, Lawrence~

I agree with Mike and Bill. I'd replace the foam - either with spray or solid - then seal with epoxy. If using solid foam, you could "glue" it in with almost any caulk you might have in your shop.

If you don't have any epoxy around the shop, a couple of coats of spar varnish or oil-based primer will seal the new surfaces.

If you need/want to match the Restle coating, just sprinkle some fine sawdust onto the epoxy/varnish/paint when it's wet.

All the best,

SJS

 
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