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If your thinking about spraying auto clears you need to be aware of the health hazards. It is highly carcinogenic and you'll need a respirator that's rated for organic vapors. You can find them at auto parts stores that cater to auto body repair shops or some of your big box hardware stores will carry them. I picked mine up at Lowe's for around $40.

He can reach me at actlures@yahoo.com Paul

I have used a water based clear floor type poly by dipping it for 3-4 coats and it comes out absolutely fantastic on everything , but it does not like enamel metalflakes and will peel off in sheets quickly after only a few fish...nothing is cheaper than this for the results, but since I like my metalflakes I switched to automotive paints, clears and everything, this is expensive but I go and get left over stuff from body shops so in reality I have very little in it and the finish is awesome and extremely durable.

They use a machine that does not give the glitter a chance to bleed. The color is not held at high temp for a long time so bleeding is not an issue. High heat is not good even for good glitter as it will break down in time too. Frank

Like the other guys have said if your trying to get into lure building to save money then you might ought to think of something else to do with your time. Now if you plan on eventually doing it as a business then you should still plan on spending at least a year (and that's really cutting it short) to develop the necessary skills to do so. Some of the reasons most of us got into this is because we're dedicated fishermen who enjoy working with our hands. There's also the thought that we can build custom baits that fit a specific need that lure manufacturers don't offer. And there's always that little spark in the backs of our minds that we might come up with the next big thing that takes the fishing world by storm. I would venture to say that the builders at TU who only build baits for ourselves, or a few friends, do it more out of love of what we can do more than anything else. There's just something about catching fish on something that you built from scratch. That's something no lure manufacturer can offer. I can understand operating on a tight budget. A lot of us have that same problem. I doubt if anyone decided one day that they were going to build lures and went out and bought everything they needed all at once. That's one reason I tried to steer you toward epoxy. If you decide, for whatever reason, you don't like it as a top coat there are lots of other things your going to need it for. What it all boils down to is your going to have to make some choices. We can't make them for you. I know what it's like wanting to start something new. Your all fired up and can't wait to get started. This is one hobby where spending some time doing some research is going to save you a ton of money. You can see how much trouble your having just trying to choose a top coat. Wait until you start making decisions about airbrushes, paints, tools, etc. Not trying to overwhelm you as the folks here at TU will do their best to try and guide you with whatever problems you run into. This can be a very satisfying hobby, but like any hobby it's going to cost money and there's definitely going to be a learning curve. No way around it. Ben

What about Watermelon Frog hair round rubber, would that help? Paul

I email several suppliers Snoot to see if I can get some for you but in all honesty I don't believe they make it. I'm pretty sure you can get plain green pumpkin but it is much darker than watermelon. Anyway I should have some infor for you Wednesday or Thursday.