How to Make Foam Duck Decoys From a Mold
Duck decoys are an important piece of equipment to have when hunting or training a hunting dog. These decoys are available in wood, cork and foam. Foam decoys can be purchased at a local sporting goods store, or they can be made from a mold for a fraction of the cost. Using two-part urethane foam will create a strong, durable decoy. You need only a few supplies that are easy to obtain before you are well on your way to making foam duck decoys from a mold.
Things You'll Need
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Newspaper
- Car wax
- Duck mold
- Two-part urethane foam
- Foam
- C-clamps
- Plastic cups
- Popsicle sticks
- Butter knife
- Sandpaper
- Adhesive
- Paint -- optional
Instructions
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1
Purchase the duck foam decoy mold of your choosing. You can obtain a decoy mold at your local sporting goods store or at a store that sells camping and hunting supplies.
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Wear protective equipment, such as gloves to protect your hands and goggles to protect your eyes from any chemical splashes. It is also a good idea to prepare your work surface with old newspaper or an old tarp to protect the surface from damage.
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3
Wash any dirt or debris from the duck decoy mold with a mild soap and warm water. Rinse the mold well and dry thoroughly.
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4
Coat the inside surfaces of the duck decoy mold with a light coat of car wax and allow to dry. This will prevent the foam from sticking to the mold when it is time to separate it from the mold.
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5
Prepare the two-part urethane foam by mixing it according to the manufacturer's directions. You can use paper cups and Popsicle sticks so that cleanup is fast and easy. Be sure to work quickly, as the foam will begin to expand within two to three minutes after mixing.
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Fill one half of the duck decoy mold to the brim with the foam and place the other half of the mold on top. Secure the mold halves together, using your C-clamps. The head of the duck may be separate from the body mold, or it may be attached. If separate, repeat the same process as you did for the duck's body.
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Allow the mold to dry, undisturbed, according to the manufacturer's directions. Most two-part urethane foams will be dry in about an hour.
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Separate the two halves of the mold carefully and remove the foam duck. You may need to pry them apart, using a butter knife or flat-tip screwdriver.
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9
Sand the edges of the duck where the mold edges were to create a smooth finish.
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Attach the head of the foam decoy to the body, using a waterproof adhesive. If you choose to, you can paint your foam duck decoy in the pattern of your choosing. Once the decoy is dry, it will be ready for use.
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Tips & Warnings
If you decide to paint your duck decoy, use images of real ducks to help you choose your colors and patterns.
Do not allow any animals to chew on the duck decoys, as the foam may be toxic.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit duck duck image by Undy from Fotolia.com
