Black cork decoys

[Brady Bronesky]

Just wondering how you would restore these decoys for hunting. I was thinking of restle coating these black cork decoys or do you think spar is good enough? I paid $50 for 18 of them .

 

[Michael B]

I don’t think there’s much to gain, besides weight, from restle coating. Do they need restoration? They appear to be in decent shape. I’d repair any shot holes or scratches with wood filler, give them two good soaking coats of spar (if it will soak into the crevices at all) and paint. Or, if the paint is original and in ok shape, just hunt them and enjoy them for what they are.

 

[Carl]

A little touch up paint and float them!
Is there damage that is not apparent in the photos??

 

[Steve Sanford]

Just wondering how you would restore these decoys for hunting. I was thinking of restle coating these black cork decoys or do you think spar is good enough? I paid $50 for 18 of them . View attachment 68512

Good morning, Brady~
As others have said, these birds look like they might be ready-to-hunt as they are.
Black cork decoys do have a tendency to dry out over time and so may need to be re-sealed, If there is bare cork showing - especially around the tail and the "chines" - the edge of the body where the side meets the bottom - and if the wooden keels are missing paint, then sealing with spar varnish may be in order.
My general restoration approach to cork birds - when it is needed - is: soaking coat of spar varnish - scuff sand with 120-grit - base coat of Flat Oils - usually Rustoleum Flat Black, Flat White, Flat Brown or a duckboat paint scuff sand with 120-grit - then latex topcoat. I see no need or benefit to Restle-coating cork decoys - I save that for foam-bodoed birds.

From what I can see, I would fill a few holes, dab on the appropriate topcoat, then tie on some nice tarred-nylon anchor lines. And....I would take those paper dots off the bills!

BTW: These posts show more dramatic restorations:
For cork birds - https://stevenjaysanford.com/painting-goldeneyes-tutorial/
For Broadbill - https://stevenjaysanford.com/re-painting-broadbill-decoys/
Hope this helps!

SJS

 

[Capt Rich Geminski]

Just wondering how you would restore these decoys for hunting. I was thinking of restle coating these black cork decoys or do you think spar is good enough? I paid $50 for 18 of them . View attachment 68512

If you have time clean and give them a new paint job. If not, get your supplies and a plan ready too do a proper job.