Hoodaddy

Michael,You have been totally honest about the product you are using.I have used a similar product in the past called Pelucid.Very tough finish, IMO not the shiniest (???) or the clearest I've tried.Shelf life sucks,odor is almost unbearable.I was told to keep it in an airtight container i.e.mason jar and in my refrigerator(dont think so) to help with shelf life.And yes if you dont flash them with or w/o using solvent based paints they will definitley run your colors.I believe after fighting w/ this product several times I'll stick with E-TEX or 2-ton.Dont forget to mention the warning label about the carcinogens.Just my 2 cents.

I dont belive its a cleaning problem because everytime I spray a new color I not only run clean water thru it I run windex through it also.Maybe its too clean LOL.I'll try sealing the threads and see if that doesnt help because I looked at the parts list and did'nt see a gasket or seal,o-ring etc. By the way I am using Pactra acrylics.I used to spray oils but too much clean-up and smell.Also had a few problems with paint adhesion when it came time to clear........Thanks

Guys,I'm using a Passche VL and every so often I have bubbling coming out from behind the air cap.Also it will bubble up out of the cup while spraying.Thought it might be a cleaning issue or even a bad seal/gasket but dont see any??? or leak of some sort.anyone experienced this???

Those are really beautiful.Great job

As far as cleaning after sealing,personally I just take a blower attachment on my air line and blow the bait off then lay them on a clean rag till painted.actually there is no need to sand after e-tex or epoxy coat unless there are imperfections you need to get out.You should'nt have any adhesion problems w/AA paints.I dont use AA paints but my understanding was you should'nt need to thin them.They're ready to spray right out of the bottle.Try to not use solvents to clean with because then you may have adhesion issues i.e.the paint lifting.

Yep...Been there Done that!! I dot my eyes on some baits and believe it was probably due to it not being set.It's only happened a couple times,much worse than yours.Looked like they were cryin.

Hope the Holidays bring joy and prosperity to all.Be thankful for all the maker has given you.Most of all.... peace to you and yours.Merry Xmas

Thanks guys,I'll give it another try.

Hey Blades,Just wanted to thank you for the post on Sunnyside Up.I just painted it w/ a slight mod.(no F/T stripes) last night.Man that looks real impressive.If I did'nt tell you earlier,that bait is a piece of art.It's a shame to even think about using it.Its great to be on a site like this with access to so much info.Thanks to all.As soon as I get my computer up I'll post some pics.That is if I can pull myself away from the bench.

Well I finally got around to trying the plastic coating by melting Solo cups in laquer thinner.Did'nt work for me.I wound up with a lump of melted plastic in the bottom of a jar.I thought I followed directions to the tee and used the right cups but no good.Although it did work with MEK,but man what a stinking mess.I think I'll be high for a few days,even with ventilation.The only thing that it did with MEK is I imagine the air that released out of the balsa made a whole lot of bubbles.Think I'll stick with 2part even though I did like how fast it set.Any advice???

You guys may want to do a search for some other posts on wildlife colors.If I'm not mistaken there have been a few that have had some disappointing results.I've not used it myself,but recall seeing some derogitory posts.

Tom, Speaking for myself we only make bass lures, we use an 18 gauge copper wire and yes we make a loop or U bend where the hook hangers are and yes we solder to make one complete wire.You can make a jig for bending your wires by taking a piece of hardwood "we use aluminum" and laying an un-shaped bait on it and marking where we want the hangers and line tie, drilling and inserting 1/8" roll pins in it(the hardwood) "you may want larger wire and stainless on a larger bait" and forming our wire to the shape we need for the bait.BTW leave the roll pins sticking up at least 3/4" .............Good Luck

Sounds like those fish down there in VOL Land like them old brown shad.LOL You may want to try a coffin style bill,they have a tendency to deflect off cover a little better than round ones.It was kind of hard to tell what kind of bill you had.I also was going to agree with LaPalma in legnth and also I agree that you may want to get the line tie a little closer to the lip, but if your catchin fish like that maybe I'll change mine!!!! Sorry for the late post,I've been kinda busy lately.Cold weather and bait making go hand in hand

Tom,If you want you can try this.Get two pieces of balsa "1/2 the thickness of your bait" then form your wire with hook hangers and line tie bent in it.Leave enough left over on the ends to solder,because the 2 ton wont hold the bends together when glued and a 30lber yankin on it.If you want you can even add your belly weight into the formed wire or add your weight with hook hangers later.Lay your wire on one half then place the other half on top.Press the two together mashing the wire into the bait.If you opted for the internal bellyweight make sure you cut a spot for it to sit in evenly or your bait will list to one side.If not,pull the two halves apart and appliy 5 minute epoxy.Press the halves back together and clamp tightly.I suggest using a flat piece of hardwood about the same size of bait on either side.You can probably use a vise but be careful not to crush it but get the 2 halves very tight....NO GAP.In about 30 minutes to be on the safe side unclamp and shape.Sorry for being so long winded.Its much easier to do than say........Good Luck

That was surely a great evening for you and especially a great story for the rest of us. I will guarantee you had a captive audience from more than just me. Thanks for sharing that so beautifully with us.The feeling of catching a fish on one of our own baits is hard to describe but you presented it greatly.Maybe you should take up sportswriting I wish for you many more memories just like that one.

Lookin good, You cant get any more pleasure than catchin fish on your own baits.I still have some of my first ones and I just chuckle everytime I look at them.Keep up the good work!!

I seem to have had the same problem hen painting with oils.I sure lke using water based a lot more.Whole lot less clean up.The strange thing is I only had trouble with purples.I shoot a color scheme I call purple haze and every time I cleared it would run the paint right off the bait.At that time I wasnt using etex but a product very similar.I sure like the idea of a heat lamp in the spray booth.Thanks for the tip.

Get ready for a little expense.I dont really know what your costs are like in GA.but to disagree with Skeete on an airbrush I would et the best one you can afford,I think its just like buying trucks,boats,fishin equipment...You seem to find something better once you purchase yours.You can get a pretty decent one around here for about 140.Now ou need a compressor.I dont especially are for the small ones set up for airbrushing,yes they are quiet and dont take up much space but they runn alot more and most I've seen just dont do a good enough job for the task at hand. As for paints seeing that you've read a lot of posts on here Auto Air seems to be the paint of choice, at around 5 bucks a 4oz.bottle it doesnt take long to rack up a few bucks.Clear coat is a matter of preference.Seems like from what I've seen Etex (environmental lite) or Devcon would be the go to.I use a product very similar to Etex and am getting ready to try some.Before I pass it up a lot of people use sealers,and or primers.Check on Tutorials for anything you're in doubt of.Yes this is a great site and I've learned a bunch since finding it.Everyone has always been very helpful,and more so willing to give input.I'm sure youll get plenty more response and you're lucky to have this site as I did not when I started.I might as well thow all my stuff away and start over.There are some great ideas on here.

I use a product made by Sherwin-Williams called Pro Block.Have had virtually no problems w/ bubbles.Like the previous post make sure you soak it a little.

Thanks Y'all.Yes I'll try Smyth its plenty close enough.

I have always used Createx acrylics but have seen several posts about Auto Air.I would like to try it but cant seem to find any around Cincinnati.If anyone knows of a good place to get it would you please let me know.Also I was noticing House of Color paints are these acrylics or oils.Ive played around with oil but just seems to be too much trouble.Good looking job though...Thanks

I also paint my spinnerbaits with an airbrush.I use just plain old Createx acrylics and clear coat with a 2-part resin.Make sure the clear has UV protectants or they will yellow on you.I have also tried clearing w/2 part epoxy (thinned).I found out that for me the longer setting time works best for it not to yellow .....................Good Luck

You might want to try Stamina.I dont know for sure if Barlows carries them or not.

You may want to post this on the wire baits forum.Thats where all the lead men are.You'll probably get better results.

Not too bad for your first attempt.I'm curious to know how well it swims also.Theres nothing better than catching fish on a bait that you created with your own two hands.Keep pluggin away and reading posts on this board.I've picked up a few tips and have had some questions answered by some very talented people.They are real freindly and will help you out any way they can.I agree that your sanding job could have been a little better and your eyes could be a little larger.As for your paint job it will get better the more you practice.I also think it probably looks as good as when I started.Sure wish I had that bait now.Go get you a Biggun on that bait and see how much more you'll get into this.Sorry but I think you're hooked already.