Crusty Posted January 16, 2009 Report Share Posted January 16, 2009 G'day all Just wondering if any of you guys have used Flexcoat rod building epoxy as a clear coat on your lures ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
braveviper Posted January 16, 2009 Report Share Posted January 16, 2009 Yes it works well mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benton B Posted January 16, 2009 Report Share Posted January 16, 2009 That's all I use now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcDavidBaits Posted January 17, 2009 Report Share Posted January 17, 2009 Does it cure in the can like dick nites? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted January 17, 2009 Report Share Posted January 17, 2009 Flexcoat is a 2 part rod building epoxy. I haven't heard of anyone having problems with it hardening unless it's mixed and applied... Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted January 17, 2009 Report Share Posted January 17, 2009 No, epoxies don't cure unless they're mixed. They can crystalize in the bottle if they get too old and have gone through lots of temp changes - but you can warm it up to turn it back to liquid. Personally, I've had Flexcoat yellow more than other brands after a year on the lure, but it was old epoxy that I had used for rod guides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcDavidBaits Posted January 17, 2009 Report Share Posted January 17, 2009 Ok. Just trying to figure out what clear coat I should should put on my finished lures. Is dicknites good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted January 17, 2009 Report Share Posted January 17, 2009 Choices - JMHO, any of several clearcoats work well. Here's a thumbnail sketch of the 3 most popular. Devcon Two Ton is probably the easiest to use and it's available at Walmart. It's sold as glue in a 30ML double syringe and it cures the fastest and is the thickest. Envirotex Lite, aka ETEX, is an epoxy designed for coating table tops. It's sold in two 8oz bottles at Lowes and Michaels. It also works very well but is thinner and takes longer to cure because it comes with solvent in it so it can be poured onto table tops. Most guys brush on several coats of ETEX, or one coat of Devcon. Another choice is Dick Nite Lurecoat, a moisture cured one part polyurethane. It gives a slick, glossy coat that is very tough. Most apply it in 2 or 3 coats, 24 hrs between coats. Dick Nite is probably the closest to a "factory look" finish. All of them have their quirks, so you should do some homework with the search feature before you use them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benton B Posted January 17, 2009 Report Share Posted January 17, 2009 etex and flex coat are about the same product but flex coat now has uv stuff in to prevent or slow down the yellowing. Devcon 2ton is the easiest to use but will also yellow if left in the heat. If you choose etex or flex coat, two coats will be needed. I've not tried Dick Nite's so I'm no help there. I wil say that flex coat has more flexiable finish than devcon and will resist cranks (a little). A lot of the striper guys use etex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusty Posted January 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2009 I am currently using an auto clear coat (2 pac) and applying 4 coats in consecutive days to get the high build I'm after. I find it takes about 2 weeks to fully harden and even then it's not as tough as flexcoat. I have just got a new product in that is suposed to have very high impact resistance and non yellowing. I made a small sample batch yesterday and after only 24 hours it seems to be true, very tough indeed. Now my next challange will be to see if I can spray it on . I will have to wait a couple of days before I can spray it over the auto clear but I will keep you all posted. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jameso321 Posted January 17, 2009 Report Share Posted January 17, 2009 Let us know how that new one works out. Pretty expensive? I am currently using an auto clear coat (2 pac) and applying 4 coats in consecutive days to get the high build I'm after. I find it takes about 2 weeks to fully harden and even then it's not as tough as flexcoat. I have just got a new product in that is suposed to have very high impact resistance and non yellowing. I made a small sample batch yesterday and after only 24 hours it seems to be true, very tough indeed. Now my next challange will be to see if I can spray it on . I will have to wait a couple of days before I can spray it over the auto clear but I will keep you all posted. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusty Posted January 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 Well.....I'd say the first trial ,4 lures 200mm long x50mm cup face poppers--- fail I am trying to spray a casting epoxy, Supposed features include self levelling, high surface tension and very high impact resistance. Result so far....this stuff is soooo unpredictable ie: mixed samples with varying amounts of thinners to get it to spray, Samples worked great! Sprayed the lures the next day, all lures key sanded and cleaned with thinners, mixed the epoxy exactly as before, sprayed lures- one lay ed up well, three beaded like a well waxed car:censored:, as they gradually went off the beading came together but still left an "orange peel finish". I admit I am trying to use this stuff outside it's parameters and I am still going to try a couple of different solvents. By the way it has NO odours but it tastes really bad (scary ****) and yes I wear a cartrage filter mask. If it doesn't work ? Start again or shelve it:? Unfortunatly the 4 prototype lures have to go off for testing as is (run out of time) I will let you know if it can stand up to big fish punishment when they return in a couple of weeks Cheers Crusty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...