Question for you oil painters

Bob Reitmeyer

Active member
I hope to be finishing the paint work on my first go at oils. Have a pair of blacks I wanted to hunt last year, but unexpected drying times altered my plans. Is a spray varnish necessary and if so I presume it should be a matte finish? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

Bob
 
There are several ways to do this, the way I do it is dammar varnish thinned with turpentine. About a 2 parts varnish to 3 parts turps, I just brush it on and let it dry. After one hunt and a couple of dunks in the marsh water, it's a matte finish. There are many on here who know a whole lot more than I do, hopefully they will jump in.
 
No topcoat is necessary. Though many old times used flat marine varnish cut with turps. I?d hunt them as is and let the age naturally, or you could do as Phil noted.
 
Phil Boyles said:
There are several ways to do this, the way I do it is dammar varnish thinned with turpentine. About a 2 parts varnish to 3 parts turps, I just brush it on and let it dry. After one hunt and a couple of dunks in the marsh water, it's a matte finish. There are many on here who know a whole lot more than I do, hopefully they will jump in.
. Thanks Phil, if I brush, or spray on a varnish, is there an extended drying time or can it hunted in a week or so?
 
jode hillman said:
No topcoat is necessary. Though many old times used flat marine varnish cut with turps. I?d hunt them as is and let the age naturally, or you could do as Phil noted.
Thanks Jode!. I've gotten into the habit of spraying a matte finish over my non-oil decoys and was thinking the same might be good over oils.
 
Bob Reitmeyer said:
jode hillman said:
No topcoat is necessary. Though many old times used flat marine varnish cut with turps. I?d hunt them as is and let the age naturally, or you could do as Phil noted.
Thanks Jode!. I've gotten into the habit of spraying a matte finish over my non-oil decoys and was thinking the same might be good over oils.

It wouldn?t hurt them, but I?d go with a brushable oil matte varnish. However this will stop the oils from attaining thier natural hunting patina as it so nicely does. I let mine dry, hunt them , then give a quick rinse after the season and maybe a wipe or two of mineral oil. Nothing fancy.
 

I agree with Jode. Good oil paint does take on a fine patina of it's own after years of use. Mineral oil of some sort after a seasons use, does freshen the paint somewhat.

If you go the route of some kind of topcoat, be darned sure the oil paint on the decoy is well cured. If not you may be in for a unwanted surprise.

It basically comes down to to what you prefer, and what works for you. Trial and error, with a good dose of patience are the best teachers.

my 2 cents
 
Back
Top