Joe S. Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 I prefer to seal pop molds with epoxy, what do you guys use to apply the epoxy? I have been using cheap art paint brushes but have issues with the bristles coming off and getting stuck in the epoxy, do I just need to buy more expensive brushes? Or is there a better alternative? I also tried a small foam paint brush but after a mold or two, little pieces start to come off that as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squigster Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 I prefer to seal pop molds with epoxy, what do you guys use to apply the epoxy?I have been using cheap art paint brushes but have issues with the bristles coming off and getting stuck in the epoxy, do I just need to buy more expensive brushes? Or is there a better alternative? I also tried a small foam paint brush but after a mold or two, little pieces start to come off that as well. I use the brushes also when I did use epoxy. I think elmers/water 50/50 works just as well but its just my preference. As far as the brushes, the cheaper they are, the easier they come apart. What I do before I use one is grab the bristles between your fingers and lightly pull outward away from the brush. Usually the loose ones will come out easily and the rest are left intact and will not come off. Give it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloomisman Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 There has to be something out there better. Material or a way to coat it. Some type of spray or something. I tried that heat spray paint. Didnt work it bled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 If you use what is referred to as a flux or acid brush, the bristles will stay in better if you crimp the bristles tighter with a pliers, the longer the pliers handle, the more leverage better the bristles will stay put. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 I use cheap brushes I get at the dollar store. I take the brush and crimp it with flat needle nose pliers. Then I pull on the bristles to get rid of the loose ones. I then take super glue and glue the bottom of the bristles making sure the glue goes into the metal band and does not "climb" the bristles. I've tried the foam brushes but it tended to cause a lot of bubbles in the epoxy. www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HJS Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 I use epoxy too and think I prefer it over Elmers. The epoxy fills in bubble holes nicely. I use either 5min or 30min epoxy, depending on the job, sold in the double syringes. Ad 5%-10% rubbing alcohol to the mix and it will get a little most fluid. I too use the cheap dime store (aka: Dollar Stores) brushes. The ones I buy have plastic shafts and very straight nylon bristles and come 10-15 per pack. I'd think that a drop of superglue right where the bristles met the shaft would hold everything in place. BTW, I don't think that soft hair brushes have enough backbone to properly work epoxy out smooth. And the cheap metal shafted brushes made for the shop might be a little too stiff and lacks the proper finesse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe S. Posted June 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 Thanks Guys, Looks like I will be crimping and crazy gluing some brushes:yay: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squigster Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 I use epoxy too and think I prefer it over Elmers. The epoxy fills in bubble holes nicely. I use either 5min or 30min epoxy, depending on the job, sold in the double syringes. Ad 5%-10% rubbing alcohol to the mix and it will get a little most fluid.I too use the cheap dime store (aka: Dollar Stores) brushes. The ones I buy have plastic shafts and very straight nylon bristles and come 10-15 per pack. I'd think that a drop of superglue right where the bristles met the shaft would hold everything in place. BTW, I don't think that soft hair brushes have enough backbone to properly work epoxy out smooth. And the cheap metal shafted brushes made for the shop might be a little too stiff and lacks the proper finesse. I am not a master at POP yet but one thing I fond that works well for me is to baste the baits with several coats and allow them to almost dray and then pour. It almost elimiates any air bubbles in the cavity. I glue them down to lexan, baste them, let them setup a little and cover them well, then pour. I then let the POP setup remove from the pan smear vaseline all over the mold, put aluminum foil over the edges, baste the other side of the bait and let it set a little and pour the other half. So far it has worked great for me. I dont have to beat the mold a whole lot and almost never end up with bubbles in my cavities and after sealing with the elmers/water mixture I think that it is very durable. Sorry, I didnt mean to get off the subject but thought this might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 squigster, What are you basting the mold with??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squigster Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 I am not basting the mold. I am basting the baits with POP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
