wood sealer?

[mtcooler]

don't know if this is right place to post ? i made a fish decoy i need to seal it to test it in water to find out where to add weight . what kind of sealer do i use? i need to paint it after it test good in water can i paint over sealer? thanks for help this is my first project.

[Tommy Taylor]

My experience is nuke plants, sewer plants, furniture and new homes as far as painting goes.Normally you don't want to paint over a sealer because it doesn't stick.Usually you don't want water on anything that will be stained because it affects how the wood takes a stain but if you are going to paint it it seems like you could test without sealing it but the wood would expand and at least have to be totally dried before painting.We used two part epoxy paint for metal that would be submerged in water but I am unfamiliar with what the people use for duck decoys and such.

[sashadoc]

mtcooler, Welcome to the forum. I'm not sure exactly what my Grandfather used on his decoys, but I think he used a sander/sealer for the sealing job and marine varnish for the finished job. He made canoes for people the old way (all wood) and always used marine varnish to finish them. He also made decoys for Pike and Muskies (ice spearing) and used what was on hand, hence the marine varnish. I'm sure you'll get some good replies so keep checking your thread. Where are you from?

Tim
PS: would really like to see your decoy. Can you post a picture when finished?

[mtcooler]

thanks, i'll post pic when done if i can just find out how to test with out water logging it?

[Big Barn]

For my fishing lures, I use a two part marine epoxy. But that is after the paint. I guess you could simply wrap your decoy on saran wrap to keep it dry while testing in water prior to paint & sealer. ???