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spoonbender

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Posts posted by spoonbender

  1. Would be painting crankbaits with the glow. I've used the aerosol versions, not bad for a base, but, as you mentioned, due to the finer particles, don't glow for much more than a 1/2 hour or so. I have tried the glow tape and sheeting on trolling spoons, but it would be difficult to conform it to the more variable geometry's of the crankbaits.

  2. A quickie search didn't net any results so I need to pester you boys for a little help on the best extended glow paint compatible with plastic lures. I have a request for a few dozen in various colors. I've used extended glow powders for trolling spoons and jigs but no acrylics or enamels to date. Any experience out there?

  3. I've been using 1 1/2" PVC clear 2:1 ratio shrink tubing with some success, a tad heavy to cut but do-able with a sharp knife. Make sure you order only single wall...as the double wall alternative has a thermal melt glue in it. Also, if you have an extra few bucks, pick up an Exacto swivel blade system. The knife is around ten bucks and the replacement blades are around a buck or so, really makes for an impressive system for following the intricate cuts necessary for stencils.

  4. A couple of days ago I tried mixing Createx (the regular airbrush colors) fluorescent blue with fluorescent red to get fluoro purple and the result just didn't have much "glow" at all. Also I think the blue looks a little too much like mild, regular blue to start with. Just wondering if the Auto Air Hot Purple ( in their fluorescent line) would be better, or if I could get another blue (the red is really bright...it's the blue that kills it. Also I could mix the perfect shade if I got another blue.) I'm staying away from Wicked because you have to buy the big bottles. I have half a mind to cruise walmart for some blue but I'd be afraid it wouldn't spray right or look good right next to Ctex.

    The last fluro purple I worked with was Lurecraft Poly-Sil, which was truly great - but that was a urethane.

    [/quote

    I have the Createx flr purple, aint' bad but get a brighter purple by mixing flr Pink and flr Blue. Just my 2 cents....

  5. I've also had issues with fisheyes, but in my case believe it's caused by application of epoxy before the paint finish is completely cured. It's most noticeable when I use gloss finishes, especially those bled from aerosol cans so may be a lack of complete mixing (shaking) of can and concentrations of the gloss wetting additives. Don't confuse air bubbles with fishseyes, as they are a completely different malady. If you start application when the epoxy starts thickening, the brushing action will drag the material over gaps in coverage without adhering to the lure. During the turning process, the material dragged over the gap will re-incorporate into the surrounding finish and leaves an "opening" in the finish. As the other gents have mentioned, thin your epoxy with DNA and apply it as soon as it's mixed properly. I use an alcohol lamp to provide a little heat and CO2 to dispense with any bubbles than form during the coating process.

  6. Anyone purchased any 5" unpainted minnow bodies from Barlows of late? I bought a few about 3 years ago and they were pretty poor examples, most of them were distorted at the tail and wouldn't swim. Their latest catalog has a slightly different looking model and the price is right......just wondering.....

  7. Does anyone know if you can find a Rapala Esko Knockoff anywhere. I have a lot of walleye fisherman around these parts and I guess they work great. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Busting Bass Baits (www.bustinbassbaits.com) has a larger version in a plastic body. A bit deeper in profile than the Team Esko but should have the similar wide wobble.

  8. I'd like to promote the "Made In USA" idea but I haven't done well securing unpainted crank bodies of domestic mfg. I prefer the minnow bodies for most of our coldwater/coolwater species. I've contacted Kendik several times without a response and similar results with JLV lures from Hawaii (still USA made). There's a great plastic injection company here locally but a set of molds could cost upwards of $12,000 which is a bit over my spouse allotted allowance. Ideas?

  9. The cleanest way I've found is to spray the clear on the lure and while it's still wet, dust it with a shot from a powder coating airbrush filled with your favorite glitter/prism's/pearls. The goodies only stick to the wet clearcoat and can get covered with subsequent coats for a more 3D effect.

  10. I'm with JSC, like the powder coating program over standard liquid paints for metallic lure parts. I've done both over the years, use the powder almost exclusively now. Powder water allows adding great details with an airbrush, and there's a ton of cool holographic and shift powders available.

  11. I know this is a cheaky post. I appologise Jerry. But lure building is a family and we reside in more than one house, so I hope you forgive me. Delete if you consider inappropriate.

    I am unable to connect to bassresource.com I get a 'forbidden 403' message. If someone could inform the admin and explain my dilema on my behalf, I would appreciate it. This is embarrassing.

    Dave

    I'm able to log on Dave, what username would I use to direct your plight to the administrators?

  12. I have bought split rings from Jann's, Stamina, and Barlow's. I buy the stainless steel rings. I like using size 1 on jerkbaits and small cranks. None of these are strong enough. They stretch when you catch a big fish. Where can I get a small size that won't stretch???

    [/quote

    I also use the smaller stainless split rings, but if strength is a concern I use Loktite 480 Prism adhesive on the rings. It's a bit of a pain to apply but cures quickly and greatly increases the test rating of the ring.

  13. I've used petroleum jelly as a release agent on hinges and eyes, clean it out after the epoxy clears. Just be very careful where you apply it, will leave nasty fisheye's in the clear coat wherever there's a trace. It can be washed off with hot soapy water when all's done.

  14. I needed to paint some soft plastic tails for a Spro BBZ1 knock off and didn't want to wait for the right stuff so used transparent orange and yellow CSI vinyl paint just for giggles on one sample tail. After appropriate drying time, looked the tail over and wasn't very impressed with the finish so threw it on top of the paint booth with a few other misfit projects that never made it to market. Today while cleaning up the shop a little I grabbed the tail and noticed that the finish was still a little sticky and bubbling a bit, so lightly scraped off the paint that was like sunburned skin peeling off your arm. After peeling off the loose material, noticed that the color was still there, actually seemed like the dye penetrated into the plastic without leaving any surface residue, looked pretty professional,....which is rare for my work.

    I've used the dips for sprucing up a plastic worm here and there, but didn't have the same effect as this stuff. No big revelation here guys, just an observation....will give a few other colors a try just for kicks.

  15. Good points here on both sides of the coin, just what I was looking for. I've done lure making all my life, mostly just for my use and a few fishing buddies. I'ts now taken on a life of it's own with more requests for custom patterns. I realize how quickly an enjoyable hobby can turn into an ugly mistress and would rather not lose money at something that begins to resemble another job. I'm flirting with retirement in a few years and wouldn't mind a part time business so need to start putting the wheels on a program now.....hopefully with a clear, objective viewpoint of the tackle industry. Thanks guys, good info.

  16. This topic might not be the most appropriate for this site, maybe even impolite, but I'm curious as to what most folks consider a reasonable profit for handpainted crankbaits. I'm not in it to get rich but would like to show a little something for the labor involved and recover the material costs. I've only sold lures to guides and individuals previously, ranging from 10 to 15 bucks, but have been getting requests from tackle shops for custom patterns in larger quantities. How much do they make on commercially available lures? One shop suggested they double their cost, which sounds a bit excessive. Thoughts?

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