dicknite Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 Just to let you all know, I have gotten the new ingredients in from a new (reliable) vendor and have formulated and mixed our top coat. From what I can surmise using the MSDS supplied, there is little to no difference in the product we are replacing and the new - a slight variation (4% give or take) in one of the solvents. I have applied the top-coat to several different painted and non-painted materials, as well as a few different woods. I have been watching them for a few days now and the results are promising. I do notice a little crazing on one of the test sticks (a thick un-thinned coat over thick modified lacquer fluorescent paint), but other than that the resistance to scratching, chipping, and hook rash is the same as it used to be. I have probably another week to go before I am comfortable enough to release it to you guys - I would hate to rush it and find out after some of you have used it that some problem arose that I hadn't given enough time to occur. I am going to ask a couple of you folks do some testing for me on your baits. I will email them and ship the product off on Monday if I get a reply. That way we will get tests done on multiple products with multiple application techniques and atmospheres. Thanks for all your patience guys - I hope we have this mess nearly behind us... Dick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikePaintsBaits Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 Dick, what GREAT NEWS , U just made my Day. As Well, Glad to hear u found that replacement. Mike P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 Great news Dick. Glad to hear that you've got a reliable supplier and will soon have your top coat ready. And thanks for going to all the trouble of doing thorough testing. I'm ready to order as soon as you give us a green light. Ben S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boone Posted November 21, 2009 Report Share Posted November 21, 2009 Dick Great News - Ditto on what BenS said Ready to order when the green light comes on Thanks for keeping us all posted Boone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted November 21, 2009 Report Share Posted November 21, 2009 Dick, I'm glad to hear you've got this almost behind you..I know it was a huge problem for your lure production aswell!!..Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-Mac Posted November 21, 2009 Report Share Posted November 21, 2009 Maybe its the fact that wasn't available anymore or that e-tex is really really tickin me off, but I decided that I have to get some DN. I'm sick of epoxies chipping on edge regardless of the # of coats. Plus, I want to keep the detail. Its time I converted. I can't wait to try this stuff (assuming everything works as planned). I know this is off topic, but I do have one question for DN users: How does this hold up with swimbaits... the joints in particular. Thats my biggest issue with epoxy is that I have to layer it up to take the beating (and the edges still eventually chip). It doesn't seem to matter whether it's D2t or e-tex. I'm using resin, so the thickness for durability isn't an issue like balsa. Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lure--Prof Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Maybe its the fact that wasn't available anymore or that e-tex is really really tickin me off, but I decided that I have to get some DN. I'm sick of epoxies chipping on edge regardless of the # of coats. Plus, I want to keep the detail. Its time I converted. I can't wait to try this stuff (assuming everything works as planned). I know this is off topic, but I do have one question for DN users: How does this hold up with swimbaits... the joints in particular. Thats my biggest issue with epoxy is that I have to layer it up to take the beating (and the edges still eventually chip). It doesn't seem to matter whether it's D2t or e-tex. I'm using resin, so the thickness for durability isn't an issue like balsa. Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-Mac Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Sorry, that post was a bit everywhere, and I should have made a new topic. I was just curious how DN holds up in the joints of swimbaits (assuming the new DN has similar results). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lure--Prof Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 My previous reply vaporized! Dick, congratulations on being on your way to rejoining the clear topcoat business! That is great news. A-mac, DN has more scuff and scratch resistance than epoxies, and has the advantage of not thinning out near edges, leaving you a uniform coating over the entire bait, and especially on those critical wear areas where epoxies cure much thinner than many people realize. Epoxy would perform so much better if it maintained a uniform thickness around the joints, but it simply thins out around joint edges when applied with all conventional procedures. Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-Mac Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 My previous reply vaporized! Dick, congratulations on being on your way to rejoining the clear topcoat business! That is great news. A-mac, DN has more scuff and scratch resistance than epoxies, and has the advantage of not thinning out near edges, leaving you a uniform coating over the entire bait, and especially on those critical wear areas where epoxies cure much thinner than many people realize. Epoxy would perform so much better if it maintained a uniform thickness around the joints, but it simply thins out around joint edges when applied with all conventional procedures. Dean ...SOLD! Thanks Dean. So are these posts the waiting list for the new stuff??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Net Man Posted November 25, 2009 Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 Great news. I have been trying to get some of the top coat for some time now. Put me on the list as well. I will be glad to test too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captsully18 Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Maybe its the fact that wasn't available anymore or that e-tex is really really tickin me off, but I decided that I have to get some DN. I'm sick of epoxies chipping on edge regardless of the # of coats. Plus, I want to keep the detail. Its time I converted. I can't wait to try this stuff (assuming everything works as planned). I know this is off topic, but I do have one question for DN users: How does this hold up with swimbaits... the joints in particular. Thats my biggest issue with epoxy is that I have to layer it up to take the beating (and the edges still eventually chip). It doesn't seem to matter whether it's D2t or e-tex. I'm using resin, so the thickness for durability isn't an issue like balsa. Thanks guys! Hey Dick. So glad you have found new supplier and we will once again be able to get the best topcoat available. Will not use anything else. A-Mac, in answer to your question about swimbaits.......it works great on the surface and joints. Have had no problems with DN on any part of my swimbaits. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hook'em Hard Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 DN, I am wondering if I can get on your list of possible testers? Montgomery is very humid this time of year, for some unknown reason.. been a while since we have had a few days of dry weather and very rare for us to have this weather pattern. Besides, I am looking for a quality TC to put on my lures.. I think DN just might work....... a few ounces would be good.. Thanks and if I can help, just let me know and I will PM you my address. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hang'em high Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 Any new developments with DN availability? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcDavidBaits Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 I hope all the tests have gone well. I look forward to getting some more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dicknite Posted December 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 Good News! Our new formulation has passed all the tests I could throw at it. While I am sure there are some combinations of materials, atmospheric conditions, and processes I missed, it passed all the tests I did with flying colors. Most people will find absolutely no difference between our new and old formulation. Chip/Scratch resistance, Worm resistance, Leveling qualities, viscosity, color, and everything else is THE SAME as before. So, I would like to take this time to thank you all, first for your business in the past, and secondly for your patience during this fiasco our vendor put us into. I have notified several folks by email, but if you have called and spoken with me in the past 2 months, you know the frame of mind I have been in (can you say, "Frazzled"?), so I may have missed some. For your patience, I will be giving an additional 10% discount on the top-coat to all you TU members on orders placed through the end of this year as a kind of "Thank You" for being such a great bunch of folks and supporting us through this trying time. As always, if you have questions, suggestions, or whatever, please feel free to email (Orders: TU_Order@dicknite.com or anything else: dicknite@dicknite.com) and I will be happy to talk to you! I am going to post this as a separate thread in case anyone has tired of this one, so forgive the duplication if you see it. Thanks again folks - you are appreciated! Dick Nite Dick Nite Spoons, Inc. Fishermun's Lure-Coat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...