Cranky Fish

As far as your base coat goes. I use spray paint. I use flat white for crisp colors but if you start with a almond or antique base coat your final product seems to look more natural. It gives it that bone base coat. If you are going to finish in the blues or greens I suggest the white base. If you are trying to feather in blacks browns and greys you need to use the almond or antique.

Janns Netcraft

Has anyone tried paint thinner? If that is too strong, what about dipping in mineral spirits.

Thank you very much. I appreciate the help!

I need help finding a place to order a lure. I want the new Terminator hybrid buzzbait-spinnerbait. Terminators website does not let you purchase anything. Bass Pro said the blades had been on backorder for over a year and they just couldn't get them. Does anyone know where I can get them?

I can tell you a very cool way to get the color you want. Look up Ben Franklin crafts. Type in Pearl Ex in the search. I like to use Createx pearl white cut very thin and add in the interference blue and interference violet powder. I stumbled on the powder a couple years ago. It takes some trial and error to get the powder mix right to shoot in an airbrush. I found that using one of the cheapo 10 dollar airbrushes I can get a better coverage because I can really ramp up the air pressure. I try not to use it in my Paasch brush, however you can shoot it just make sure to clean the brush well. The best way I have found is to shoot WD-40 through my brush.

I may have overlooked it but do you have leads for your depth finders?

I know that it might sound crazy, but try turning the air pressure up another 20 pounds or so and dial the paint flow down to about half of what you typically use. Hold your brush about a foot away from the lure surface and start shooting BEHIND the lure. Slowly work your way in to the surface with quick side to side passes. It takes some practice but I am pleased with results.

I've been airbrushing lures for about 10 years now. I asked a friend who brushes professionally when I wanted to get started. He has 25 years experience brushing everything from lures shirts cars bikes etc. He turned me on to the Paasch VL double action. I keep 2 set up at all times. He runs from 6 to 10. I get exactly what I want from my finish. The kit comes with all 3 needle sizes and all 3 tips. In my opinion you would be hard pressed to find a more dependable or versatile airbrush. As for the compressor, unless you need absolute quiet pick up a 2 to 5 gallon tank compressor from Walmart. If you have problems, take it back!

Give the Createx colors a try first. I think you will be pleased.

You sure know how to open a can of worms! Keep check on your post. There should be several hundred replies before long! Just kidding with you. Welcome to TU! I don't know whether or not you will be airbrushing or hand painting. I guess the best advice that I could give you is to start with acrylics. They are easier to learn with and a lot less hassle when it comes to cleanup. As far as the sealer, most here use an epoxy topcoat! Good luck and happy painting!

Throw the man a rope! We always have room for one more.

I don't know what the pattern is exactly but what about old window screens?

Vodkaman, are we the only two here that tend to think alike? So far we are the only two left-brainers! I have no idea what it means but it makes us SPECIAL. Ha Ha

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I haven't used the auto Createx myself. You are talking about automotive paint right? I have a friend who has bombarded me with automotive paints for my Paashe. I haven't gotten time to use them yet. He airbrushes for a living painting anything and everything. The one tip he gave me was to use WD-40. When you need to clean out or change up keep a vial full of WD-40 and blow the gun clean. He says it's been working great for him for about 10 years now!

The thinner the tail, the tighter the wiggle. The rounder or shorter the tail, the harder the wobble. Case in point, Take a large bait like a one minus by Manns and the thing seems to walk left to right a foot at times!

Got to thinking and just wanted to add something. I have learned a lot from all of TU's members. There is however one member whose work has always made me strive for something better. The first visit I made to TU I noticed the work of one very gifted member in particular. His member name is Kellure. I haven't seen him post that often lately. From what I understand, he owns CLU lures. The work is amazing and I believe that anyone new to the forum should take a look at Custom Lures Unlimited! Before anyone gets their feathers ruffled, I see amazing work from dozens of our members. I just wanted to throw a little credit towards the member that makes me want to learn more.

Hello everyone. My name is Rodney and I live in Indian Trail NC. Just reading through these posts. I guess I need to ring in and say thank you to everyone for all the knowledge that has been lent to each of us. I noticed that "The Rookie" is from Concord NC! I wonder how many times we've crossed paths at Bass Pro in Concord. My wife says they need to set up a cot for me in the back. Anyway, I'm 35 years old and a European cabinet builder. Been doing it now since I was about 14; long story! I'm married with two stepchildren ages 23 and 20! Yeah I love older women!! You do the math. My wife actually got me hooked about 5 years ago. Her father is an avid fisherman and once I started I never looked back. She has always been my tournament partner and apparently was as frustrated as myself about losing every single tournament we fished. She bought me an airbrush about three years ago. I picked up the brush and we started winning. I have no where near the experience or expertise that is offered on this site. The fish on our local waters just needed to see something different. A friend at work saw some of the lures I was painting and turned me on to this site. I add what little knowledge that I can but I will probably always be known as one of the takers. I just wanted to express how greatful that I am, that there is a website dedicated to what we love. It's hard to imagine how many years of experience are on these pages. Thank You to all and for now, I'm just a sponge!

Yeah, Christmas came a couple days early! My wife is my tournament partner. She will always be there to help with the camera. I figure she will have as much fun as I do. If the fish aren't biting I normally turn around to find her asleep. I don't mind it much, she fell asleep earlier this year for about two hours. 5 minutes after she woke up she caught one 9lbs 11oz! She hurt a couple guys feelings at the weigh-in that day!

Thank you for the quick replies fellas! I thought about the fuse and was hoping that would take care of any problems. I called batteries plus earlier this morning and he said that as long as the voltage was the same the amps only determined the running hours. I just hated to screw something else up. I got a bad habit of rushing in to things and the next thing I know I have to replace something. Thank you for the help.

I know that I am posting in the wrong forum but the others seem to be dead today. I need a little advice from people I trust. Got an underwater fishing camera for christmas. The manual calls for a 12volt 7 amp battery. Looks like something you need for a kid's powerwheel or something. Can I not just hook in to my boats control panel? I know that the amps are different but I believe the deep cell is in the 30 amp range and that the cranking is in the 70's. Has anyone already wired direct. I am very anxious to hit the water with it but scared to burn it up by wiring it incorrectly. Thanks and everybody Merry Christmas.