[Shadojack]

I have a customer who is looking for clear protective finish for a duck decoy her son and law is making.

Anyone have any ideas for a good coating?

[Alice in Wonderland]

I have had good luck with Pratt+Lambert Base coat 4 or 5 , this is the Base where they mix the darkest shades from.
It is very milky looking from the can but dries very clear and it has protected most of my out door sculptures very well. I take them in in the Winter month.
I hope this helps
Alice

[Shadojack]

Never thought of trying just a basecoat paint. Usually without the tint they just run and leave streaks.

[AlArchie]

There is a plethora of marine finishes out there that would hold up well to the weather. For a really tough, long lasting fiish, I'd sugest the two part, clear marine epoxy finish. This stuff is used on strip made canoes and kayaks, and is tough as nails. I've used the epoxy marine paint, and it held up on a wood hull for over 10 years with virtually no deterioration.

The clear stuff on this site says it can't be used over a stain, but I'd bet you could use it over an analine dye with no problem, as the stain deposits colored particles on the surface and the dyes actually infuse the wood with color.

http://gregboats.com/pages/finishes.html

Only one thing.....this stuff ain't cheap. I think you may find this in quart sized quantities if you look around a bit.

Al

[mik1947]

Shadojack - You might consider spar varnish, also.

[Alice in Wonderland]

Shadojack
the are not any thinner than a normal finish ,I was very nervous the first time I used them and like I said they look milky when applied, but truly it turns out perfect .I would not spend a lot of time on my sculptures and then have them ruined ,belief me :-)
Alice