dashepard Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 (edited) I am currently using powder paint to panit my jig heads one color in a fluid bed. Now I am going to be making some spinner baits and I need to know if it would be beneficial to use a powder panit gun like the ones that they sell at barlows, stamina, etc.. I have tried using the brush tap method and i get ok results but I really want a professional finish on these. Do you think that the extra air compressor that i have for the fluid bed would work? Any help would be great. www.dscustombaits.com Edited May 28, 2008 by dashepard add a link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reeves Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 dashepard, No need to buy extra equipment, you have it already. Paint the spinnerbaits using the fluid bed. I have been doing it that way for years, literally thousands of spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. You must set your paint level int he cup so it will cover the bait beyond the head when immersed in the powder. Heat only the lead head (not the hook or wireform). Hold the bait at the 'r' bend and dip into the fluid bed hook first, shake and remove. Tap off excess and wipe dry powder from hook with finger and thumb and hang to bake for curing. If there is any of this that is confusing, let me know and I will be glad to go into more detail for you. It all takes practice, just like with your jigs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dashepard Posted May 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 Thanks reeves, What type of heat source are you using torch or heat gun ? I have a torch but always seem to heat the heads up too hot which causes excessive powder usage. So now I use the oven to heat up my jig heads which no problem because you do not get the hook coated when doing this way but with a spinner bait I don't think that this method will work. Thanks for your help I will hold it under the flame for a shorter time I guess 2-3 seconds should be fine right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reeves Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 dashepard, I use a torch. I prefer the torch over the heat gun for two reasons. First, I feel it is less expensive, heat guns draw a lot of electricity. Second, because I can see the heat source and know that my bait is getting hot in the right places. I tried a heat gun and ended up with too many burned fingers. You are correct about applying too much heat and ending up with too much paint on the head. It takes lots of trial and error and practice, practice, and more practice. Be it right or wrong, and many will disagree and shake their heads, but this is the way I do it. Let's use a 1/2oz spinnerbait as an example. I don't set my flame real high, which I feel allows me to heat up just a bit slower. Holding the bait with the 'r' bend in one hand and the hook in the other, I hold the bait in the flame and constantly rotate it while I count. For a 1/2oz spinner, I will count fast, not real fast, from 30 - 34. Because I can see the flame and where it is hitting on the head, I try not to let it hit the hook or wireform as the heat will transfer to these points anyway. Once I reach my count, I dip the bait in the fluid bed and give it a little shake or swish and remove it from the powder immediately. It is in the powder for only a second. I then immediately tap the side of the hook on the powder cup to remove any unwanted excess from the bait. By now the paint is already 'wet' as the powder has melted from the heat. I wipe the hook with my thumb and index finger to remove any powder on it. I also pinch the wireform where the paint ends and rotate the wire between my thumb and index finger to remove excess and give it a clean cutoff. Hang the bait for curing and grab another and repeat the process. This method does apply a little more paint than usual, but I like the finish it gives. You can tell when there is too much paint and I try to stay just under that level. Each color is different and requires different heat levels to have them all look alike in finish when done. Something that has not really been discussed, that I feel is very important when powder painting, especially using a fluid bed. That is the shake or swish as some call it. I feel it really helps to apply an even coat to the object as opposed to just dipping in the powder and removing it. Just my opinion, but I have tried both methods and am a firm believer of the 'swish'. I know this may be a bit 'crystal cloudy clear', but work on your method and I really think the results will be your judge. Good luck, and if I can help further, just yell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 dashepard, Like George Reeves said there is no need to buy any more equipment. I know you said you are not fond of using the brush technique. However, I and several others on this site use it with good results. Everyone here has there own preferences. Whatever you use, it all takes time and practice. The below spinnerbaits are called Hawaiian Fire Tiger. Pineapple gold base, with candy orange and candy green. Topcoat with gold glitter, and waiting for Devcon 2T. The spinnerbaits and the hammered blade all done with powder paint. Both are awaiting red gill rakers, and possibly red dot or diamonds on blades, with gold, flo orange and flo green skirts . So you see that lot of things can be done with powder paint. There are a lot of guys on this website that are good at there trade. George is one of them. So don't give up, and ask a lot of questions. Finally, practice, practice and when you think you are good at it practice some more...........Ted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 Sorry for the horrible picture. I'll re-post it later tonight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 What I always have done with spinnerbaits is use small aluminum pans that small pecan pies come in. Just dump powder in pan bend pan so edges are up and lay spinner bait in powder. Hook and wire do not get in powder so no clean up required. Works real well with all colors except white. I struggle with white on spinner baits and real small jigs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted May 31, 2008 Report Share Posted May 31, 2008 (edited) dashepard Don't give up on using the brush system, as you can see below on 1 of my paint jobs called (Hawaiian Fire Tiger), everything was done using that method. Hammered willow blades and spinnerbait body all done with powder paint. Waiting for possible red or black diamonds on blades, I'll see how it looks. Then clearcoat. Everyone on this site will be more than willing to help you achieve your goals. Just ask. Edited May 31, 2008 by cadman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reeves Posted May 31, 2008 Report Share Posted May 31, 2008 Those look fantastic as usual as the master displays more of his masterpieces. Those are first class Ted, look good enough to eat, the fish ought to go crazy over them. I guess the main point that keeps coming up no matter what method one uses is, Practice. I know I have painted thousands and still occasionally screw one up, helps keep you on your toes. Don't give up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dashepard Posted June 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 I just dont see how you guys blend the paint so well and for that matter evenly by using the brush I really am impressed with those pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 Those look fantastic as usual as the master displays more of his masterpieces. Those are first class Ted, look good enough to eat, the fish ought to go crazy over them.I guess the main point that keeps coming up no matter what method one uses is, Practice. I know I have painted thousands and still occasionally screw one up, helps keep you on your toes. Don't give up! Hi George, thanks for the compliment. Just like you and the others on this site, I try to do my best and push the powder painting as far as I can. I by no means am an expert at this. I have a lot of colors that don't blend well, a lot of trial and error and many failures. The failures I look at as learning experiences. There are days that I just can't get things right, and I walk away, and leave it for tomorrow. Luckily I have a better success ratio than a failure ratio. Otherwise I would have given up a long time ago. I just dont see how you guys blend the paint so well and for that matter evenly by using the brush I really am impressed with those pics.dashepard, first of all I can give you some tips and help, do with them what you will. #1. I don't know how long you have been powder painting and or pouring jigs, but experience helps. #2. You are going to have to find a method that works for you as far as powder painting goes. If candles, propane torch, oven or heat gun work for you as a heating source, then use the one you get best results with. #3. If you intend to go down the multi-color highway, then you are going to have to change your way of thinking about how you apply powder paints. In order to do 3-6 colors, you have to use less heat, so you don't burn the paint. I'm going to end this here, because below there is some info for you to read, so you can get an idea on how all this works. #1A. Go to Tj's Tackle website www.tjstackle.com Benjamine has several tutorials and videos about powder painting, powder painting spoons and fluid beds. He also sells fluid beds and Pro-Tec powder paints very reasonably in price. #2A. I also have a tutorial on how I powder paint, along with some other helpful information. If you want the tutorial, PM me your e-mail address. If you are serious about multicolor powder painting, then all the people in this thread will eventually help you along. I also know of another member, LedHed, who does very nice multi-color jigs. As all of us use different powder and different techniques, we all strive for the best, and all of are jigs show our unique talent. If you would like to do a lure swap you can PM me also. I'm not here to critcize your work, but I would like to see what you make, and we can go from there.....Finally all the work you see here, is from years of experience. Don't get discouraged, if you don't get it right the first time, it take a lot of persistance, patience and practice................Ted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
