Solarez Matte Finish

[TrophyFishR]

I've been searching thru all the old solarez threads & decided to call the owner myself.

 

He told me that if I wanted a true matte finish on my crankbaits, that I would need:

Solarez Matte Finish Doming Resin

 

Have any of yall used this product, or do I need a different one of the solarez products?

 

I'm currently using D2T or Etex, but I need a matte finish crawdad pattern.

 

Any input or advice is greatly welcomed.

 

Thanks

 

[mark poulson]

I use the gloss.  If I want matte, I'll scrub it with a Scotchbrite pad.  As soon as it hits the water, it's gloss/transparent anyway.  The matte finish is just for the fishermen, not the fish.

[TrophyFishR]

I use the gloss.  If I want matte, I'll scrub it with a Scotchbrite pad.  As soon as it hits the water, it's gloss/transparent anyway.  The matte finish is just for the fishermen, not the fish.

 

Yes, the matte is a request from a friend.

 

Mark what advantages does solarez provide? drying time?

 

I really like Etex but it takes forever to cure.

[mark poulson]

For me, that's it.  It's really quick, and strong.  I can make a bait, paint it, dip it, and fish it the same day.

I'm impatient.  It's probably best to wait until the next day after you've painted your bait before you dip it in Solarez.  But once it's cured in a UV light for three minutes, you can take it out and fish it right away.  It's cured!  Just be sure to rotate it every 30 seconds, and that the bottom gets hit by the UV light, too, if it's something like a section of a jointed lure.  I usually take the cured bait out into the sun and let it hit the bottom for another three minutes, just in case.

[TrophyFishR]

I need the cliff notes explantion on how to dip, store & cure with UV light.

[TrophyFishR]

Mark, can you provide a link to the proper solarez product that I need?

There's way too many options.

Thanks

[BobP]

I use Solarez as an undercoating on wood.  Brush it on, put it on a rotator for a few minutes to level out, then run the rotator out in the sunshine for 15-20 mins.  Done.  I have a UV manicure light that I can use but it's so simple to use sunlight that it mostly sits on the shelf.

[TrophyFishR]

BobP,

you're not using it as a clearcoat?

[BobP]

Nah, personally, I prefer a high gloss finish for a topcoat and I haven't been able to get that with the Solarez.

[TrophyFishR]

I was told that automotive clear is the only thing close to matte.

 

I haven't tried scuffing up the Etex, will do that now.

[TrophyFishR]

I scuffed up the clearcoat & it looks like garbage now. Lol

Not what I was expecting.

I'm totally out of clear coat, so I ordered D2T & Etex is small sizes.

I'm really going to give solarez a good look.

I just want to make sure that I buy the right product.

[BobP]

Solarez contains wax flakes that rise to the surface of the finish after application in order to promote hardening of the polyester resin.  IMO, the wax kills the resin's natural gloss and it also makes underlying paint detail look blurry to me.  That's why I only use it for undercoating.  Otherwise it would be a near perfect clearcoat!

 

Most auto clearcoats have very high gloss - just like a new car.  I think there are de-glossing additives that you can use in some clearcoats to get a matte finish but I'm not familiar with them.  If you consider using an auto clearcoat, please pay attention to the safety provisions.  They contain isocyanates which are very toxic.

[Cougarftd]

If you want a true matte finish with a rubberized feel (like lucky craft uses) check this out. I have had tremendous results with it!

[TrophyFishR]

Do you spray plastidip right out of the can?

Does it have to be rotated like other clearcoat?

 

Im going to give it a try.

[Nathan]

Just spray the plastic coat on and hang it..It dries very fast so there is no need to rotate it...It is some tough stuff...Nathan

[TrophyFishR]

Can plastidip be found at Lowes & Home Depot, or will I have to order it online?

[Cougarftd]

Lowes...I generally spray 2 coats...awesome stuff

[TrophyFishR]

Home Depot doesn't have clear, will try lowes tonight.

[mark poulson]

If you want a true matte finish with a rubberized feel (like lucky craft uses) check this out. I have had tremendous results with it!

image.jpg

 

That's the stuff I use to make my swimbaits feel soft to the touch.  It is really tough, but I never though to use it as a top coat.

 

Here's the link:

 

http://solarez.com/surfboard-repair/

 

I use the Low VOC Dual Cure Polyester Resin.

My first quart came in a black plastic jug, and I still use that for dipping.  My second quart came in a metal paint can.

I do my dipping inside my garage, over the work bench, with the overhead door open.  I found that only direct UV cures the resin fast enough to be a problem, so I dip a lure, and then hang it over the open dipping jug and let it drip back into the jug until it stops dripping.  I use my finger to remove anything left on the bottom of the bait, and wipe my finger on the lip of the jug so that goes back into it, too.  

I wait another couple of minutes, to see if any more Solarez has accumulated at the bottom.  If it has, I touch the bottom of the lure on the paper towel that is under my drip rack, and then I hang the lure in my UV fingernail light.  I have the light sitting vertically over my bench vice, so the control switches are accessible, even though they are now facing down.

I use a bent paper clip to suspend the lure down into the light box.

I hang it in there a total of three minutes, lifting it out and rotating it 180 degrees every 30 seconds.  I've dropped a few lures, so I learned to take my time

You can see the bent paper clip in one of these photos:

[TrophyFishR]

 Thank you

[Cougarftd]

That's the stuff I use to make my swimbaits feel soft to the touch.  It is really tough, but I never though to use it as a top coat.

 

Here's the link:

 

http://solarez.com/surfboard-repair/

 

I use the Low VOC Dual Cure Polyester Resin.

My first quart came in a black plastic jug, and I still use that for dipping.  My second quart came in a metal paint can.

I do my dipping inside my garage, over the work bench, with the overhead door open.  I found that only direct UV cures the resin fast enough to be a problem, so I dip a lure, and then hang it over the open dipping jug and let it drip back into the jug until it stops dripping.  I use my finger to remove anything left on the bottom of the bait, and wipe my finger on the lip of the jug so that goes back into it, too.  

I wait another couple of minutes, to see if any more Solarez has accumulated at the bottom.  If it has, I touch the bottom of the lure on the paper towel that is under my drip rack, and then I hang the lure in my UV fingernail light.  I have the light sitting vertically over my bench vice, so the control switches are accessible, even though they are now facing down.

I use a bent paper clip to suspend the lure down into the light box.

I hang it in there a total of three minutes, lifting it out and rotating it 180 degrees every 30 seconds.  I've dropped a few lures, so I learned to take my time

You can see the bent paper clip in one of these photos:

I'm so glad your work area is as messy as mine!!!

[mark poulson]

As long as I have paper on the roll, I'm good!  Hahaha

 

I do actually clean up when I lose something, if I remember that I lost it.

Edited December 10, 2014 by mark poulson

[Cougarftd]

Heck yes...that's like Christmas , when you find all the missing stuff

[RayburnGuy]

I wasn't going to say anything, but....................   Mark, I bet if you looked in there hard enough you might find an ex wife or two.

[TrophyFishR]

Mark, could you post a photo of the Solarez results, something with a matte finish?