Need Some Help Or Tips

[Kris]

Been wanting to learn how to paint this scale pattern and figured it was done with a loofah. So I ran out a bought one at Wal-Mart.

I think I might have bought a cheap one because it easily breaks and trying to wrap a lure with it is beyond maddening !!

I usually use cloths pins to hold my scale mesh...no way with the loofah.

Any help or tips would be appreciated.

[Dictator Of Painters]

I can't be of much help. But that looks like one of BB Lures patterns, I have always admired his work and can't blame you for wanting know. Hope all works out for you with it.

Edited September 6, 2010 by Dictator Of Painters

[Vodkaman]

I think I might have bought a cheap one because it easily breaks and trying to wrap a lure with it is beyond maddening !!

I usually use cloths pins to hold my scale mesh...no way with the loofah.

I have a couple of loofa's in my bathroom, haven't tried using one for scales as yet. I just examined one and it is very flexible and stretchy, no way will it break, in fact it seems perfect for making fine scale lines. I suggest you find another source. I have included a picture, so we are talking about the same product.

Dave

[JHodgie]

didnt know if you have seen these but they are designed just for painting scales. sorry i dont have any first hand experience with them.

http://www.lurecraft.com/catalog.cfm/materials-~and~-tools/tools/netting-for-scale-pattern-~-course:2656

[bassnbrad]

Luckily I have a great wife who does not mind me using her "Shower Poof's" among other household items. The less expensive poofs from wally world are ok for bigger baits, but the pattern stretches a little too big for regular and smaller cranks. She searched around and found a little bit more expensive one ($2.00) that has the perfect stretch and pattern. I wrap mine from time to time but only if I want the scales on the back. Most usually I just use the stretcher as shown below. People have different ideas for the scale pattern the easiest I have found is, take a old screen you do not use ay more. Cut it to the desired size and reassemble using the corner brackets. I made up two the same size and cut one section of the "POOF" out and stretch it between the two sections making it where they close like a book. I hold this closed with a heavy duty rubber band. This holds the bait in place while I paint and keep it hands free of the lure till I'm ready to do the final details. Also pictured is a lure I just finished tonight I hope you can see the scale pattern as the pictures are just from my phone. The lure is still drying so I had to hurry the pictures sorry. Hope this helps, bb

[Fish Candy Bait Company]

Go to a cooking supply store or a flea market. You are looking for those table tents they use to put over dishes of food at a picnic. They look like this but should be cheaper. It will provide a lot of material and should last you a long time.

[nova]

Luckily I have a great wife who does not mind me using her "Shower Poof's" among other household items. The less expensive poofs from wally world are ok for bigger baits, but the pattern stretches a little too big for regular and smaller cranks. She searched around and found a little bit more expensive one ($2.00) that has the perfect stretch and pattern. I wrap mine from time to time but only if I want the scales on the back. Most usually I just use the stretcher as shown below. People have different ideas for the scale pattern the easiest I have found is, take a old screen you do not use ay more. Cut it to the desired size and reassemble using the corner brackets. I made up two the same size and cut one section of the "POOF" out and stretch it between the two sections making it where they close like a book. I hold this closed with a heavy duty rubber band. This holds the bait in place while I paint and keep it hands free of the lure till I'm ready to do the final details. Also pictured is a lure I just finished tonight I hope you can see the scale pattern as the pictures are just from my phone. The lure is still drying so I had to hurry the pictures sorry. Hope this helps, bb

I'm glad to see that someone is using my "book" design to paint scales.

Quite easy to use isn't it. Good work on the lures by the way.

www.novalures.com

[Kris]

Vodakaman - Yep ... that is exactly what I'm talking about. The one I bought must have been real cheap because it is not very strong, very hard to work with and takes very little stretching to break.

Bassnbrad - Going to have to try that 'book' method of painting scales. One question ... how do you remove the lure without messing up the scales you just painted?

Beer980 - I've seen those table tents around ... most of the ones I've seen have small holes. I'm looking for the diamond shape that can be created with things like the loofahs.

Those that have used loofahs before and have searched for them ... do they only come in that nylon type material they are made of?

Thanks all for helping !!

[mark poulson]

Luckily I have a great wife who does not mind me using her "Shower Poof's" among other household items. The less expensive poofs from wally world are ok for bigger baits, but the pattern stretches a little too big for regular and smaller cranks. She searched around and found a little bit more expensive one ($2.00) that has the perfect stretch and pattern. I wrap mine from time to time but only if I want the scales on the back. Most usually I just use the stretcher as shown below. People have different ideas for the scale pattern the easiest I have found is, take a old screen you do not use ay more. Cut it to the desired size and reassemble using the corner brackets. I made up two the same size and cut one section of the "POOF" out and stretch it between the two sections making it where they close like a book. I hold this closed with a heavy duty rubber band. This holds the bait in place while I paint and keep it hands free of the lure till I'm ready to do the final details. Also pictured is a lure I just finished tonight I hope you can see the scale pattern as the pictures are just from my phone. The lure is still drying so I had to hurry the pictures sorry. Hope this helps, bb

BB,

Your lure looks great, and I like your scaling method.

Kris,

You can get various stretchy scale materials by checking out the plastic mesh bags that produce is sold in at the big markets.

I've used the fine mesh that holds garlic cloves, the mesh from both avacados and tangerines, and also a lufa.

The scale pattern on the lure you posted looks like a tangerine bag was used.

With stretchy materials, you can vary the scale sizes from front to back by how much you stretch the material.

My basic mesh is a piece of tulle cloth that I bought by the yard at a fabric store. The material is stiff, until it's gotten a coat of Createx heat set on it. Then it's a little more flexible.

I scale paint the lures one side at a time, by suspending them in front of a leaning sheet of plywood with dense foam attached to it, and then draping the cloth down over the lure, and pinning it tight to the lure with push pins that go into the foam backing.

The two sided book that Nova and Brad use makes scaling both sides at the same time easy, so you don't have to change paints as much.

I'm just used to mine.

To get additional effects, I layer different size and patterned scale materials. Look at the black crappie in my gallery.

It's regular tulle scale with green avacado netting over it.

I hope this helps.

Good luck.

[gunnie3035]

Been wanting to learn how to paint this scale pattern and figured it was done with a loofah. So I ran out a bought one at Wal-Mart.

I think I might have bought a cheap one because it easily breaks and trying to wrap a lure with it is beyond maddening !!

I usually use cloths pins to hold my scale mesh...no way with the loofah.

Any help or tips would be appreciated.

A Lufa will work for that scale pattern, but you need to use the popcicle stick method to hold the material.

[bassnbrad]

I'm glad to see that someone is using my "book" design to paint scales.

Quite easy to use isn't it. Good work on the lures by the way.

www.novalures.com

Thanks Nova, means alot coming from you. Yeppers the "book" method works great!

[bassnbrad]

Vodakaman - Yep ... that is exactly what I'm talking about. The one I bought must have been real cheap because it is not very strong, very hard to work with and takes very little stretching to break.

Bassnbrad - Going to have to try that 'book' method of painting scales. One question ... how do you remove the lure without messing up the scales you just painted?

Beer980 - I've seen those table tents around ... most of the ones I've seen have small holes. I'm looking for the diamond shape that can be created with things like the loofahs.

Those that have used loofahs before and have searched for them ... do they only come in that nylon type material they are made of?

Thanks all for helping !!

Kris, Thanks. As far as Removing without messing up the scale pattern, I use very light coats for each color and I flash dry with a hair dryer before going to the next color, and dry completely before opening my scale book. Light coats and drying between makes all the difference in the world.

[mark poulson]

Kris, Thanks. As far as Removing without messing up the scale pattern, I use very light coats for each color and I flash dry with a hair dryer before going to the next color, and dry completely before opening my scale book. Light coats and drying between makes all the difference in the world.

Amen!!!!

The hair dryer is your friend. A paint job never failed because it was too dry.

[DUCBOS]

Get a minnow dip net at the bait shop.

Remove it from tthe wire handle.

They're soft, pliable, and durable.

Just wash it with soap and water if it gets stiff.