Painting Decoys

I want to get some information on bringing back to life some old decoys. I got about 2 dozen old foam decoys I want to paint up for diver hunting. Just want peoples tried and true methods if you have any. Looking for info on good paint and sealers. Any info regarding painting decoys would be awesome. Thanks!

I just took a look at the decoys I was going to paint and am reconsidering now. I got 5 carrylights, 3 are foam the other 2 are plastic. The other 7 are General Fiber Co. 2 of these got some damage but the other 5 are still in great shape. Any one know if any of these are worth any money? I would classify all of them as antiques. After minimal research on Google the General Fiber Co decoys are classified as paper mache. But as far as value all i got was auction sites with some of these up for sale.

It seems everyone in the decoy world uses kilz 2, but its a water based primer. I have used kilz, Its hard to say wether im happy with it or not, it takes quite a beating.. U guys think it may be better using a oil based primer? gonna cost 40$ to trial and error it on my next batch. :/ I also perfer using all oil based paints.

I would recomend burlaping or restle coating. After the burlap/restle, paint with a good quality paint/sealer such as Kilz 2. Put on a nice heavy coat and let it dry all the way. You say you are looking for divers, so basicly all you need is black and white. I use rustoleum oil based flat black, or flat black spray enamel. If you want to clear coat, a few light coats of a matte or satin finish will work nicely. Live ducks have a bit of natural shine to them. Thats really all you need to do. I get a little fancy and do some flocking and airbrushing. My bluebills have green and purple in the heads, as do my ringnecks, buffies and golden eyes.

ratso if your going to use them then plan on panting them yearly. If you use a sealer your going to get glare and birds will flare. I use flat white and flat black exterior latex. But i am in the starting to make mine fully flocked. Did an experiment last hunting season with 1/2 dz flock coys and birds that came in and landed all whent to the flocked ones. I am going to have a bill on flocking but if its more realistic then i am going to be pulling in more and get more shooting. best of luck to you Capt Rick