Ichthus

Thanks for the tip Matt! I'll still be looking for some oil-based alternatives that act similar!

For bigger baits, I'll get a paintbrush and brush it on. But when I said the odor is not strong, it doesn't mean there is not an odor. There is an odor but it isn't unbearably strong like spray paint in a closed room.

The odors are not bad. There is an oil and a water based version and I've been able to dip my baits one hour and handle them the next. (Although they are sometimes sticky after only an hour) sometimes if I'm impatient I'll treat them with a little heat. Just don't keep the heat there forever or else it will produce bubbles. I've finished my baits at night and given them to customers (and even fished with the baits) the next morning!

thanks! I did forget, I think Alumalite has some foam-based resins that may react with minwax. just a heads up if you make your baits from alumalite. I bet if you called the folks over there at Alumalite they wouldn't mind helping you out and answering any questions.

As far as the chemical aspect of it, I know it will melt or "eat" stryofoam (like most petrolium based products) but that's not a problem unless for some reason you need to paint styrofoam. If you did need to paint a foam-like blank (never really heard of one but hey,) maybe you could use the water based version.

yes no problem! If you look in my gallery, all of the baits in it have at least 2 coats of the stuff on it! It's all I've ever used.

It's called Minwax fast drying polyeurethane. (thats exactly what the can says) its in a bronze/ copper ish paint bucket. the liquid itself is an amber color but dries so thin that three coats on a white lure wont even affect the hue of the bait. they also have water-based versions of it too.

I dip my baits in it and store it in a large mason jar so it is easier to reseal and doesnt harden. and hang them up for a few hours. The thing I like about it is that its hard enough to add another coat after a few hours and I've never had any trouble with it bubbling. I've never really tried to abuse it although I should just to test its limits. I may start experimenting with the satin topcoats to see if I get a sort of matte finish. I am using Minwax fast-drying polyeurethane. It's meant for sealing indoor wood finishes but It seals up the baits good too! pros: cheap, easy, cheap, different lusters available, dries quick but not too quick, easy to find (home depot, OSH , and Lowe's all have it), doesn't seem to affect action of lure,oh and its cheap lol cons: it dries really thin so you need to apply extra coats of it to ensure longevity although I have a bait 3 years strong with only one coat of it. (my first ever made bait)

so am I the only person that uses minwax as a topcoat on my lures? I have been using it for a few years now with no problems. I know its a little thin when it dries out but thats why I give it a good 2 or 3 coats on my baits and doesnt seem to hinder the action. any major cons to this because it seems too easy.

but be careful, acrylics dry VERY fast so if you do this you gotta check the tip of your airbrush for little dried up clumps that might accumulate and clean your airbrush copiously.

When you start getting into paint viscosity and psi thats where it gets to what works best for you. I use mainly the createx colors but ocasionaly, if I cant find the color i need I will get cheap acrylic paint and thin it down with isopropyl alcohol to my desired viscosity. It saves a little money too.

the top components look similar to my Husky brand one at home. Yours has adjustable air and pressure gauges but you will need a water trap. i've yet to get a water trap on mine but thats on the top of my priority list. check to make sure everything is in good shape before you go out an buy your airbrush.