DIY Pigeon Flocking & Painting Camo Effect

[Thestoat]

Hi Gents,

 

Updated - Below is the material list & methodology.

 

I have had a go at flocking my pigeon decoys and I'm really happy with the results. I also used the UV paint for the neck and wing bar.

 

It took sometime to complete all 16 but definitely worth the effort though.

 

 

 

 

Material list & methodology.

 

Pigeon Flocking

 

Materials

 

• Grey Flock (mixed with a little bit of black - ratio 5:1, makes the flock slightly darker - possibly could be a touch darker in my opinion) - www.flocking.biz
  
• Adhesive/paint - No need for hardener just a good quality acrylic based paint (waterproof when dry) - I used Peganox goose grey - can be mixed to suit a RAL code & water based (by rustroleum) its for metal cladding on buildings - but is very flexible on surfaces - only in 5ltr & but £30. I can use it for other jobs so it was feasible.
  
• Yellow Humbrol Paint (1.45) Airfix model stuff for the beak and eyes.
  
• white humbrol paint for the nostril bits
  
• Lavender enamal spray for tinting the breast of the pigeon.
  
• Black Marker Pen for the eyes.
  
• UV white paint for the neck and wing bars (of fleabay)
  
• Black Matt Spray paint for the tail and wing tips.
  

 

Methodology

 

1. Wire brush the decoys for to remove dirt and provide a better key for the paint
   
2. Wash the decoys to get rid of the excess dirt and provide a clean surface for paint adhesion
   
3. Mix the flock well (you will need to use a bin to collect and recycle the flock) - Wear a good dust mask at all times and better done in a garage.
   
4. You need some kind of a hanging line for the decoys to dry on. (most decoys have a hook on the tail)
   
5. Paint 1 decoy. You need a stick (for handling) putting into the standing support to fully coat the decoy.
   
6. Use a sieve to coat the decoy (over a bin with a clean bag for recycling) - flock generously (I tried to leave as much flock on the decoy as possible whilst it was drying) - try not to disturb the flock.
   
7. Repeat process for all pigeons
   
8. Allow to dry over night.
   
9. When dry - dust flock into the bin for recycling - not always possible if you have a limited quantity of flock.
   
10. you need to get all the excess flock off the pigeon.
    
11. Paint the beak/eyes in yellow paint
    
12. paint the nostrils with white paint
    
13. Spray the breast very lightly in the lavender colour spray.
    
14. Paint the neck and wing bars with UV paint
    
15. Spray paint the tail and wing tips. (best to keep the spray can quite close to the decoy with a swift fast movement forward.
    
16. Marker pen the eye.
    

 

This was not a quick process and took some time and effort so be patient. I have found the paint to be very impact resistant.

 

This process may seem over the top but i think it has definitely been worth it. I have also enjoyed doing it.

 

I also spent a bit of the weekend painting my gear with the camo effect. Although I only took a picture of the battery.

 

Many thanks to the people who contributed towards the painting topics in the forum, it was a great help.

 

 

The battery - This process can be applied to anything

 

I cant express how important the choice of spray paint is, if you want a good job. You can use every last drop out of the can and the special nozzle allows a precise application minimising the wastage.

 

I used the Krylon Camo ultra flat range from fire support (Cheaper postage than most - £5 flat)

 

Materials

 

• Grey Primer (probably two cans)
  
• Krylon Khaki (one can will do loads because of its not your base colour) Probably still 3/4 left even after doing all of my magnet/bouncers and other stuff
  
• Krylon Olive green (i used two cans on the magnet/bouncers/ 3 batteries and some other stuff) THIS IS YOUR BASE COLOUR
  
• Krylon Brown (one can will do loads because of its not your base colour) Probably still 3/4 left even after doing all of my magnet/bouncers and other stuff
  
• Fresh Grass (descent lengths) Used the same bush throughout
  

 

 

Methodology

 

1. you need a well ventilated area and a dust mask.
   
2. Spray the battery "equipment" with the primer (30mins drying time)
   
3. Spray the base colour (Olive) on to the battery with good coverage (you could coat a couple of time) (dry in 15mins)
   
4. Spread the grass over the piece as if it was growing.
   
5. Spray the brown over the grass (important to be quite close to the grass to provide shape to the application (quick bursts of the spray or you will end up covering it) (it was touch dry with 1 min)
   
6. Re-use the grass on all sides of the workpiece
   
7. Repeat the process with the grass and Khaki spray paint. Try to offset the grass to allow the multi layer effect.
   

 

 

I hope this helps anyone trying to either flock their decoys or camo'ing their equipment. Just be patient and don't rush the job remembering safety first.

 

All this info is on pigeon watch but it took some finding to make sure I was happy with carrying out the job.

 

Best of luck

 

The Stoat

Edited September 15, 2010 by Thestoat

[harv]

cracking job, you'll never find that battery

[provider]

Great job mate they look excellent . what did you use to coat them ? .

 

Prov

Edited September 14, 2010 by provider

[Elby]

They look flocking great

[Frenchieboy]

It looks like you have done a great job there, well done! How about lutting details up of how you did it and what materials you used so that others can do the same please.

[TomV]

where did you buy your materials from?

[Thestoat]

Updated with the requested info.

 

best regards

 

the stoat

[activeviii]

Just to add. if you want to darken the colour then no need to add more black, just use darker paint to start with. you can paint the breast with a red tint and then flock over it with the normal mix and you will get the tint of red coming though. same on the back for the wings, use a oak brown paint on wings and you will end up with a colour close the the real bird colour.

 

All the best

 

Phil.

[Lez325]

I like the battery camo- would look good on a rifle me thinks

 

 

Les

[Easy Bully]

I did somewthing similar to my rotary arms, they are now somewhere in the middle of a couple hundred acres of barley......doh

EB