Baking Question

[anw0625]

Do you have to bake a jig after powder paint?

[Kasilofchrisn]

No but the paint will be harder and last a lot longer if you do. You can also epoxy coat over them with D2T or something similiar.

I always bake mine and the paint is incredibly durable. One of the biggest selling points of my jigs is the long lasting paint even after the jig is mushroomed on the end from pounding the rocks the paint still holds up.

[timbass]

Kasil is right on here.  I fish in Oregon and our reservoirs are full of rocks.  I started making my own football jigs for the sole reason that when I pay $5 for a jig and the paint will be completely chipped off the bottom of the head within 10 casts and I just couldn't do it anymore.  When you don't bake the jigs the paint will begin to chip off right away(if you fish rocky places) and the bottom of your jig will be straight lead within an hour.  It may not bother the fish, but it sure does me.  If you bake them, you will lose the jig before it chips off.  Instead, after fishing the jig a while, the part of the head that drags in the rocks will begin to dull slightly, but it won't come off.  It also gives the paint a nice luster when you get your baking method down.  You can get a cheap toaster oven at walmart for about $20 because you obviously don't want to use anything you eat out of.  Also, I accidentally used the broil setting the first time and it causes the paint to bubble on the head so don't do that .  Give it a try, you will be glad you did. 

[Painter1]

I set my cheap toaster oven on 20 minutes at 350. Just be sure the jig eyes are cleaned out before you bake them

[mark poulson]

I set my cheap toaster oven on 20 minutes at 350. Just be sure the jig eyes are cleaned out before you bake them

 

I do the same.  Clean those eyes first!  And don't hang the jigs directly over the heating elements...space them, or they will over heat and burn.

[DaBehr]

I cure all my jigs. Same way...350 degrees for 20 minutes in a Walmart toaster oven. Works perfect.

I strongly recommend the jig clamps from TJ's tackle. They really make it a lot easier. Worth every penny!

I also bought their fluid bed. I'm not a very "handy" guy...so making one would have been a LOT more expensive! I have the 2" size and for bass and panfish jigs it works great.

TJ's also has some very good instructional videos.

http://www.tjstackle.com/

[anw0625]

Thanks. Do you use a epoxy clear coat?

[BLT]

I think most here will say 30 minute epoxy. Makes the jig look great if done right.  Me, I use minwax polyurethane and just brush on a coat, let dry, do another coat. Doesn't give you the visual that the epoxy does, but protecs the jig from a little more bangs along the rocks.

[mark poulson]

You can even use Sally Hansen Hard as Nails clear to protect your jigs.  It's a quick, handy deal for one or two, not for quantities.  I have some clear with different colored glitter in each bottle that I shake up and coat jigs with after I've powder coated and baked them.

Edited August 18, 2014 by mark poulson

[JSC]

I like using Nail Polish    ---   Unless  --  they are to come in to contact with soft plastic

[Jighead61]

Thanks. Do you use a epoxy clear coat?

I suppose you can, but I see no need for it after curing powder paint.

[BLT]

From a selling standpoint, I think the poxy gives it a nice "depth" that uncoated can not do. Does it help protect them more from rockville? Always a subject of debate, and nothing but opinion.  It's funny and I have said it before.......1/2 the time I fish, I don't even use painted heads, but I wouldn't sell to many telling people that.