gunnie3035 Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 All right boys I'm seeing this gelcoat finish showing up more and more on crankbaits. Are we talking about the same gelcoat use for boat repair or clear gelcoat used on surf boards? For all I know it is the same stuff. I ran a search and suprisingly very little info came up on it. Anyone care to share the wealth?? If you dont want to say it out loud send me a PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benton B Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 I use Flex Coat rod finish as my clear coat and I know a few more builders are using it now also. Not sure if that is the same as the Gel Coat you have been hearing about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR KNOW IT ALL KIND OF Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Gelcoat is RESIN!! Epoxy is a resin!! If you add glitter too it you can call it Diamond Glitter Gelcoat matched by NOBODY!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunnie3035 Posted March 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Doesn't the flex coat yellow and chip more than 2-ton? I've tried the glitter in epoxy, but it always comes to the surface and makes for a rough finish. But I have never tried putting on a second coat of epoxy after the glitter finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR KNOW IT ALL KIND OF Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 (edited) Sorry Gunnie.. Im just making fun of this other house painter .. he uses gelcoat and I have others send me his baits to have repainted.. So my advice to you is.. forget gelcoat.. try Dick Nites or some other mositure cure urethane clear. You will be better off in the end. The Rookie Edited March 12, 2009 by The_Rookie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 I brush acrylic latex glitter (thinned with a little water) on after painting. If you use small enough glitter, putting it in the clearcoat shouldn't matter much but I just prefer to brush it on because I can control where and how much goes on the lure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palmetto Balsa Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 If you want a better glitter that will not rough the surface of your topcoat the try the Poly*Flake Glitter that is sold at Hobby Lobby. Or there are a few places on the internet to order from. Lots of cool FX if you put it over the right colors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benton B Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 I used Devcon for 5yrs and I switched Flex Coat because imho it is a better clear coat. I put glitter in my first coat of clear, the second coat of clear covers any rough spots caused by the glitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mags Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 I second the recommendation for the polyflake pictured. I use it on a lot of things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjbass Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Gunnie, Listen to Rookie, forget the "gelcoat"....flex coat is not the gelcoat you are talking about either....as far as flex coat goes, that is a whole other can of worms..... Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTfishingrods Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 I use a ton of flex coat on rods. I honestly dont believe it will hold up on a lure. Even if its not for toothy fish. Its just not designed for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjbass Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 I am glad you said that....Flex coat is great for rods....but I have used it for baits and it does not hold up...trust me. Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benton B Posted March 13, 2009 Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 I have to disagree with ya'll on the flex coat. It is holding up just fine on my baits. Now these are bass baits not for those big toothy fish from up north. I use 2 coats of the new high build and imho it's a much better clear coat than devcon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted March 13, 2009 Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 Benton, I cleared the first baits I built a few years ago with Flexcoat Lite and they yellowed badly within a year. Sort of put me off rod epoxies for crankbaits. "Beauty is as beauty does" so if the Flexcoat Hi Build is a new formulation that yellows less than Devcon, it might be a good alternative. What I'd really like to know: What is the best solvent based polyurethane that will crosslink to form a very durable non-yellowing, crystal clear top coat? One that's not super sensitive to moisture contamination like moisture cured poly. One you can use to dip crankbaits in 1 or 2 passes and get a coating as thick as a factory wood bait? Automotive or otherwise. PLEASE tell me! Please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benton B Posted March 13, 2009 Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 BobP, I have no experience with the old flex coat. I used devcon 2t and would not even consider switching. Then I got tired of pearl white baits turing yellow in a matter of days so I switched to the flex coat high build and it has some uv stuff in it now. My first baits coated were pearl white and are still pearl white today. It handles the rocks really well, unless you smack one point blank. When you find that perfect clear coat please don't share it with anyone else. I do not want to spend the time learning a new system. I think as long as this many people are building baits then there will be differences of opinion on which top coat is best. The new flex coat works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjbass Posted March 13, 2009 Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 Benton, I guess I have to say that I haven't tried the new flex coat, didn't even know one existed. The problem I had with it years ago was that it did yellow and would not withstand Musky teeth....if it's improved thats great.... Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benton B Posted March 13, 2009 Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 rj, I don't think it will stand up to Musky teeth. My brother will try to catch some redfish on baits coated with it this yr. If it holds up to a redfish then bass will be no trouble. Does anything hold up to those giant Musky teeth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 (edited) Well being new around here my opinion may not hold much water but as for as finish goes I have been in the automotive refinish trade for about 27 yrs. These finishes are used for many purposes other than just autos. Most new ones are not as hard as you might think because they need to be able to flex and absorb impact of small rocks. Most of them use a two part system which is toxic when mixed so I do not recomend these for home use. The epoxy family which is mostly a 1to1 mix seem to have the least amount of offending fumes because of the high solids and the absence of reducers. If you want to experiment with products let me help with a few that I have not seen mentioned on here lately if ever. 1 System three Mirror Coat /thin long pot life prone to comtamination 2 System three clear coat /same as above 3 U-40 perma gloss urethane rod finish/thin but very user friendly. 4 Thread master rod finish/ Just like flex coat but set up time is about one hour as opposed to four with flex coat. 5 Automotive clear [two part systems] Most can be dipped just watch for drips around eyes,corners. Most can be done in one sitting.Example Mix to the ratio from the manufacturer then dip and let flash off for recomended time then dip again,a third time may be needed to achieve the desired result.Dirt and other imperfections can be sanded out and polished. Draw back what you mixed is all going to be wasted. As for as product not made for this job I think that if it works for you don't be afraid to post it . The only way to learn is to try it and see. Most people dont believe that this is as good as it gets. We all can learn from trial and error. Sorry for the long post hope it might help at least one person. Frank Edited March 14, 2009 by Frank not done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 Frank, I work in my garage with good ventilation but I never spray solvent based paints or clearcoats, nor am I willing to start. I'm looking for an alternative to Dick Nite moisture cured polyurethane that would not be so sensitive to ambient air moisture. Something that would have a pot life of weeks or months that you can dip baits into and will harden at room temps in a reasonable amount of time when put on a lure turner or hung to dry, and which will not yellow substantially for a year or two like most epoxies. I think there's something "out there" that meets most of those requirements but have no idea what it is, what brands are available, how much it costs, or what handling/storage it may require. Maybe no such animal exists but like most bait makers, I'm always looking to improve my product and clearcoat is a biggie for most of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 (edited) Well said Not suggesting that people try any of the solvent based product without the proper safety equipment at all. You may get an answer from a local paint rep from one of the local auto paint stores.All paint manufactures have these people. One tip if you dont like the answer from one rep find another. You will probably have to tell them it is for an industrial use. Good luck. I believe that the urethane family is all sensative to moisture. Im guessing that you are refuring to humidity. Edited March 14, 2009 by Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTfishingrods Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 Anything I use for Bass is likely to get bit by something with teeth where I fish. So Im going to stand by my original statement of not using Flexcoat for lures. Not bashing the product by any means. I love it for its inteded purpose. But the amount of time spent on making and painting one of our hard baits warrants better protection than that in my opinion. But like was stated above. Everyone has their own opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
