brendandrage Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 Hi all, this is my first post and I would like to thank you in advance for your assistance. I have been making my own spinnerbaits for a while now and would like to upgrade them to painted eyes. I have been trialing the nail head method but have found it difficult to get a nice uniform round profile. I am powder painting the heads and using water based model paint for the eyes. Can anyone give me some further ideas on how to get this process right?. I would also like some advise on how to get the positioning consistant. Cheers Brendan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 Welcome to TU Brendan. First of all what model of spinnerbait do you have? If you have any of the molds from Do-It, that do not have the eye sockets, then you can make your own eyes. I am a perfectionist on all my stuff and I hate sloppy looking eyes, so I don't paint them any more since I can't paint them really well. On those spinnerbaits you can use flat store bought 2d eyes or make your own. These flat eyes will conform to the profile of the spinnerbait body. Spinnerbaits with recessed eye sockets will accomodate 2d and 3d eyes. Spinnerbaits with protruding eyes(Style "H") you can use electrical tape. As far as positioning goes, I roughly measure on a virtual vertical centerline from nose to center of where I want the eye.Then I stick them on lightly and look at the jig from the front. Re-position if needed and once you like the way it looks press them on. You will get really good at it the more spinnerbaits and or jgs you make. Always clearcoat eyes as they will fall off in use. If you need more help on making eyes PM me your e-mail address. Also I'm sure there are others here that will give you excellent advice on how to paint eyes. Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 I like stick-on eyes myself as it makes for a more professional look but you can get good eyes by painting also, if you go to stamina, they sell a product called eye dotters, they're $0.99 for a pack of 5, they are simply a paintbrush with a little foam ball on the end instead of bristles so all you have to do is dip in the paint and dot the eye on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21xdc Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 (edited) I used to cut off a 4 inch piece of broom handle. install a framing nail in one side and a finish nail in the other. Cut off both heads and file off the burs. I'd dot with the big one and after a few min, dot with the other side. Worked great for me. I forget the nail sizes I used, But thats just preference anyway. I used CSI vinyl paint. Edited August 30, 2009 by 21xdc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBull Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 Hello, I find the best way to get a terrific product is to hand paint the eyes. I use the blunt end of a drill bit (any size you prefer to use) and dip that end into the paint. I just touch the painted end to the lure. That part isn't hard to do, but drying the eye's with out drips is where the professional look is hard to achieve. I have figured out a perfect system that makes the paint for the eyes dry perfectly round with out any sags or drips. I've created a homemade lure turner that works great for finishing the painting projects on my fishing lures. The unit makes the paint on the eyes of the lures, or the finish coat very smooth and without any drips at all. To make the unit, I took a rotisseri from an outdoor grill, the type that would normally hold a chunk of meat. I use the prongs (that would insert into the meat) to hold a 12" disc of styrofoam. To hold the motor, shaft, and prongs that is holding the disc I use a plastic bucket at each end, of course the buckets have to be high enough to allow the disc to turn freely. While the motor is rotating, I attach each lure immediatley after I paint it (gets easier with practice) by sticking the hook into the foam.These motors only turn about 7 to 9 times per minute so it isn't that fast our hard to do. This constant turning of the freshly painted lures insures a totally even coat of paint. I let the lures spin slowly, for 1-3 hours, or what ever time is necessary for any paint and/or the finish coat to dry completely. Well good luck. Steve Bunders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendandrage Posted August 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 Hi All, Thanks for the feedback and information guys, I am sure I will be trying all suggestions, Cadman, firstly let me say I endevour to finish a lure like yours! simply stunning. Mate, I am using a 5/8 Banana mold I am wanting to paint the eyes not so much in the traditional black on white but moreso in a single colour in a pattern. I can email a sample of what i'm after if you like. I am guessing the same rules would apply to apply a red stripe underneath the lure as well for a bit of colour flash. I have sent through my email addy. Thanks Brendan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendandrage Posted August 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 PS Sorry for the time delay in my posts I am in Australia. Anyone else here from Australia? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
