Tarnishing, Burnishing, Aging Lead

[bryanmc]

Ok... So I just poured some wacky heads but the lead is way shiny. I don't necessarily want to powder coat them, I just want them dull (like they were poured 2 years ago). Is there something I can dip them in to take the shine off? I'm thinking vinegar or something but I was hoping someone here has already done all the experimentation and found what works.

Thanks

[Musky Glenn]

Can't help you there, I'm always scraping mine to bring the shine back.

[cadman]

Ok... So I just poured some wacky heads but the lead is way shiny. I don't necessarily want to powder coat them, I just want them dull (like they were poured 2 years ago). Is there something I can dip them in to take the shine off? I'm thinking vinegar or something but I was hoping someone here has already done all the experimentation and found what works.

Thanks

Don't quote me on this but I believe vinegar will do the trick. I do know it will etch old oxidized lead and clean it for painting. If that doesn't work I know for a fact that if you take shiny lead and put it in paint stripper, it will dull the lead within several minutes. It is also paintable if you want to do that as well. Finally if you don't want to screw around that way, I know that if you spray it with etching primer it will turn them a dull gray. The etching primer ones sprayed will only come off if you file or sand it. Let us know how you do.

[psv]

Bryan,

Potassium Permanganate powder dissolved in water will do the tricks. Mix some powder in water until it's deep red or almost purple and put your jigs inside for couple hours. That is it.

If you will not be able to find potassium permanganate powder locally, here is the Ebay link:

Potassium Permanganate Link

Edited November 25, 2010 by psv

[bryanmc]

Thanks guys...

Soaking in white vinegar overnight gave the desired effect, and 75 cents worth will probably last 20 years

Edited November 26, 2010 by bryanmc

[Fatman]

I know alot of us who pour jig heads don't always paint them right away so another good thing about vinegar is using it do get oily fingerprints, oxidation and really helps paint go on withoug problems. This is straight out of Ken Oberechts Anglers Guide to Jigs and Jigging. This book may be old but there's some really good info in it.

Fatman

[Stickman Baits]

I used liquid plummer on my weights overnite but I've never tried a jighead might be too corrosive for the hook. I'd run a test on one to see if hook will not be damaged.

[smallmouthaholic]

Don't quote me on this but I believe vinegar will do the trick.

Cadman gives sage advive