RiverMan

Definitely folk art......well done. RM

Years ago I had a link to a web site that showed baits being carved out by a multi-axis auto shaper of some kind, really cool. I can't seem to find the video now. I think if we small builders had some kind of auto cutter/shaper, it would be great! RM

Well I don't want to be over optimistic but it looks like the problem may be solved. I think it was simply contamination. Time will tell for sure because it wasn't happening all the time but for now there looks to be improvement!! thanks guys!

Hey Rich!! Good to hear from you, I was thinking about you the other day, I hope you are doing well. Dean, I have probably been a bit careless at times with touching the lures after the cedar...will watch this and see if it helps. I have most recently been using polycrylic as my sealer woodie...just because I had a gallon of it left. Typically tho I used sanding sealer as you know. As an experiment I just did two baits just now and I made sure I didn't touch either of them anywhere! I had latex gloves on at all times. Each of them has one fisheye but it looks to be small. I wrote the folks at ETI/Etex and this is what they told me: "Try applying a couple of layers of a clear acrylic aerosol to the lures first; there may be something in the paint that is a resist to the coating. From the photo it looks just like it may be a contaminant if it isn't a late breaking bubble. Only wipe with alcohol or acetone b4 re-coating". jed

That's what I have thought too Woodie because the problem is generally more pronounced with cedar than it is with maple. The thing that's confusing tho is how it happens with an etex coat over an etex coat.....this makes me think that CH and Lapala might be on to something. I will keep experimenting..... jed

Some colors are worse than others...gold is really bad. My createx paints will settle out like this and need serious shaking/mixing after just 2 wks. RM

Hmmm....that's interesting CH, have never heard of that and this would explain why I get it sometimes and other times not at all. I am generally applying the stuff after a "full cure" so maybe you are on to something. I will experiment with this idea, thank you! jed v.

Actually if I cover the dimples they will just reappear. The only way to get rid of them is to apply another coat...that seems to be the trick. I'm sure it's something on the surface, it has to be. Maybe JK is right it's coming from my hands. I try to not touch the lures though.......hmm. RM

The strength of TU and the world wide web in general is that it allows a whole bunch of minds to come together on one task. The rate at which everyone (not just lure builders) is learning as a result of the internet is just amazing. Think where mankind might be if we had the internet 100 years ago! We have folks on this board sharing their ideas from all over the world! This was largely impossible just 15 yrs ago. I think it's also important to recognize lure action. Yes lures with amazing paint, eyes, gills, fins, etc., look pretty and catch fisherman but how many of them swim well? I will take a basic two color plug with the paint coming off it with good action over the most awesome looking plug with gills and fins that won't run any day of the week! Lets face it, most of the pretty stripes, spots, etc., that we paint are for fisherman, not fish. A needed addition to this forum in my opinion is a compilation of pool demos that each of us could access. Each of us finds joy in creating lures in a different way. Some enjoy working with wood, other with molds and plastics. Some want to make the lure look as real as possible while others just want something that will function well and details in the paint are not important. The veterans on the board are helpful for sure but some of the most valuable ideas often spring from "new minds". jed v.

On occassion I will get small dimples in the etex finish, picture attached. In this case the dimples were when I put one coat of etex over another. I normally just go over the top with another coat but it's very annoying! I'm not sure if it's caused by my hands touching the lure, the brush, or just what, any thoughts? RM

Those are old paints........some you can salvage, some you cannot. Find yourself a piece of wire and bend it in an "L" shape. Chuck this into your drill and put it down into the jars and mix them. If you soak the jars in warm water first it will help. I wouldn't pour off the water because once you get the buildup mix in you will be needing it to get the proper consistency. RM

Cherry, I'm curious what you used as a clear coat. I tried polytranspar also and for some reason it didn't react well with etex. I know of others tho that seem to use the stuff just fine. Curious. jed v.

Hmmm, ok....will give a couple options a try today. thx again. jed v.

thx Dean

Iwata Eclipse or Peak X-5 by BearAir. RM

Anyone doing this? I want to try a new brush for applying the etex and want to make sure I have a way to clean it out after I'm done. I did a search on the topic and found guys were using denatured alcohol and acetone with Devcon and wondered how either of these products worked on etex. Thanks guys. RM

Yea stick with Devcon.......others will ruin the entire place!!