TrophyFishR Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 (edited) I've recently started using the Auto Air candy colors as a mid coat over the createx base coat, then sprayed chameleon auto air over the top. The problem occurs when clearcoating with etex. Some of the baits are smooth and some have a dippled appearance. I think the baits with a createx base and chameleon auto air topcoat are fine. It seems to be the candy painted baits that have problems. I've had zero problems with etex until now. So, its got to be the paint causing this. I just don't understand why the chameleon is fine but the candy colors are the problem. They're all made by the same company and are water based. Can somebody explain what I'm doing wrong?? I just spent a chunk of money on candy colors and chameleon. Edited October 22, 2012 by ccroom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Chaney Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 In my very limited experience, I find that when I touch the plug between coats this happens. So before I apply a new coat of paint or epoxy topcoat I always wipe the plug down with a clean cloth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrophyFishR Posted October 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 I made a phone call to createx. They told me that I needed to allow the auto-air brand paint to "air dry" before hitting it with a blow dryer. Also, I'm pretty sure that candy paint was sprayed too think. Both of these factors allowed moisture to be trapped under the paint layers. Thus causing the dipple effect with etex. They told me to be more patient and spray thinner coats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobv Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 Etex is notorious for fish eyes. I always shoot some Createx clear over my bait before finishing with Etex. Wear latex gloves when handling your bait before finishing, any oil from you fingers will cause the Etex to fish eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrophyFishR Posted January 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Well, Im still having problems with the etex and chameleon paints. It dimples everytime. I tried to apply the lightest coat of paint possible and clear coat, but it still dimples. Ive let the bait set and dry before heat setting it, still same problem. theres something about Auto Air chameleon paint that doesnt jive with etex. has anybody else had the same problem with this paint? The etex is pefect if I paint with regular createx, so its not the etex. #graspingatstraws Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 ETEX contain solvent. It has low viscosity and cures slowly so it can release bubbles after being poured on horizontal surfaces like table tops. Perhaps the solvent is causing the problem. If so, the only cure is to switch to a different brand of epoxy or perhaps to spray the painted lure with a coat of Createx clear to prevent the Auto Air from reacting with the ETEX. You can only experiment if no one else had the same problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrophyFishR Posted January 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 ETEX contain solvent. It has low viscosity and cures slowly so it can release bubbles after being poured on horizontal surfaces like table tops. Perhaps the solvent is causing the problem. If so, the only cure is to switch to a different brand of epoxy or perhaps to spray the painted lure with a coat of Createx clear to prevent the Auto Air from reacting with the ETEX. You can only experiment if no one else had the same problem. Thanks Bob, Ive ordered some D2T epoxy this week. I hate that stuff, but if it fixes the problem then im going to be real happy. If that doesnt work, then I might try flexcoat epoxy for rod building. Something has to work, the recommendation from Createx Customer service didnt work. They said I was applying too much chameleon paint and it was trapping moisture. I know, this aint the case. I let a couple of wiggle warts set for 3 weeks before applying etex. Its my luck that Ive found a killer color combination with the chameleon paint only to be jacked up by the epoxy. I had a thin fin that didnt get any epoxy to settle on the sharp edges it receeded to the middle of the bait leaving the belly and back dry as a bone. Oh well, I guess I can always give them away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrophyFishR Posted January 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 Is this the "clear" that ya'll are referring to: 5604 Gloss Top Coat - Protective top-coat best used on fabrics and leather. Dries glossy. Apply in light coats with a higher PSI setting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 I think Createx Customer Service may be right. I've found that if I spray too thick a coat, once it skins over there is water trapped underneath that never comes out. I am very careful now to spray multiple thin coats, and to heat set thoroughly between each coat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobv Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 One possibility is moisture being trapped when heat setting your paint. Water based paints can skin cure and trap uncured paint below. Then after clearing the trapped moisture tries to escape and causes problems with the finish. Apply thin coats and heat set each one to avoid this problem. The only time I have problems with Etex is when I don't get enough on the bait or brush it too thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrophyFishR Posted January 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 I think Createx Customer Service may be right.I've found that if I spray too thick a coat, once it skins over there is water trapped underneath that never comes out. I am very careful now to spray multiple thin coats, and to heat set thoroughly between each coat. I never had any problems with regular createx and etex epoxy. The chameleon paint and the candy color paint don't like etex for some reason. Ive tried to thinnest coats that I can spray and I still have problems. I totally understand the moisture part, but thats not the case here. In fact, a ran a test on monday. Painted a wiggle wart with only 1 very thin coat of chameleon and the other with regular createx. The chameleon dimpled and the other bait was perfect. Im going to try 2 other types of clearcoat on the chameleon painted baits. D2T and Flexcoat. If I get this fixed, then I will post the results with photos and all. Am, I the only painter using auto air chameleon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 I use a few Auto-Air colors but no flip/flop colors. There may be some feature to the flip color that causes ANY epoxy to want to fish-eye. If so, you might have to go with a different type of topcoat altogether. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markinorf Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 You havent mentioned anything about your cure times between each op. ? A full 2 or 3 day cure time between the last auto clear and the Etex mite resolve any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodieb8 Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 for the sharp edges on cranks. we use automotive clear coat. ya need ventilation though. its superb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 When I want to insure no reaction between my paint and top coat, I add two coats of Createx clear gloss. That seems to do the trick, but I've never used the chameleon paint or any candy colors, that I know of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrophyFishR Posted January 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 When I want to insure no reaction between my paint and top coat, I add two coats of Createx clear gloss.That seems to do the trick, but I've never used the chameleon paint or any candy colors, that I know of. I tried the clear gloss. It sprays on super thin!! Its been 24hrs, so I might let it sit a couple more days before adding the etex. Im going to try flexcoat, etex and D2T epoxy on 3 baits that are painted identical. That should solve any of the epoxy questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobv Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Spray with Createx gloss then use Etex is what Mark meant. I do the same, never have problems this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrophyFishR Posted January 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 I finally got the D2T exopy in the mail. Very good results!!! D2T exopy-The bait only had 1-2 fisheyes Etex- the entire bait had enough fisheyes to make you cross-eyed. Im yet to try the flexcoat, will do that this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
