Spraying Flocking with Krylon clear coat to preserve?

[ShotCaller]

A friend of mine just bought a few FFD's. He is thinking about spraying Krylon clear coat on them ... thinking that it will protect the flocking and make it last longer.

I told him to hold off as I am concerned it could create a glare. I've done some art work in the past and used this to "topdress" them but I have no experience on decoys.

He just paid a lot of money for these and I don't want him to ruin them.

I told him I'd ask around to see what everybody thought.

[jthunts]

Not sure about this????? If anything sprayed at all maybe matte finish. I personnally would not spray anything on them. Maybe pro grades with no flocking or ducks

[Ben Cade]

You don't need to do anything like that to them. Put them in the six slot bags and cinch the tops tight when you're done.

[Derek Rambo]

I would not do that as it will take away the ability for the flocking to absorb sunlight...which negates shine.

I have been running FFD's now for three seasons..this will be the fourth...and besides a few scrapes and scratches the flocking looks great. Bagging them is the key...if you can afford FFD's going the extra mile to buy and utilize bags is just the cost of doing business the right way. It is an investment...protect that with bags and the need to come up with a way to protect the flocking is not needed?!?

[chevyman_2000]

Don't the FFD's come with bags? I just bought 2.5 doz off of a member. Are they really that hard to take care of?

[Ryan Kleinschmidt]

Don't the FFD's come with bags?

Yes they do and I would not spray any type of clear coat on the FFD's. It would not only cause issues with the flocking but I believe it would void the one year warranty. You could check with CS to be sure on the warranty issue.

[ShotCaller]

Thanks guys,

I'll relay what you said.

[TEAM GTG]

Spraying a matte clear (krylon 1311) will add a greyish frozty haze to black flocking if applied too thickly / quickly. It will not hinder the ability of the flocking to absorb sunlight. Much of the absorbtive quality is not the flocking itself, but the micro-texture created by the flocking. Keep the ffd's in the bags, and you will be fine. Be careful not to allow any rubbing to go on between bags. Flocking can take hard dings, knocks, etc. but the enemy of flocking is friction. The beauty of the ffd is that you get a ding, scratch, etc. It covers right up with an airbrush and looks as new. You can't say that about a painted decoy (unless it is textured). The primary purpose for a matte clear coat in my opinion is to add another layer of protection for the painted decoy (unifying the surface), which makes it easier to clean, maintain, and knocks off any sheen.

[Rick Frisch]

I wouldn't put anything on them. It many not do much as far as shine, but it may effect how they absorb moisture from frost and dew. You don't want anything to be shining in your decoys.

thanks,