Airbrushing Jigs (Bass Jigs)

[Darkman]

I posting this question on this site cause a ton of you know what your doing when it comes to airbrushing and paints

so my question...how would you go about airbrushing jigs, from steps to paints to what ever you info you can ofer. thank you guys

 

Darkie

[Skeeter]

I wouldn't airbrush a jig head. I just mix whatever color paint I want to use into some Devcon 5 min. epoxy and brush it on. I do the same with my bullet sinkers too. Works great.

 

Skeeter

[bass100]

I base coat the jig with white powder paint.  Then I paint the bait with water based paints the same way I do a crankbait.  Last a coat or 2 of devcon 2 ton.

[RayburnGuy]

I don't paint jigs, but have mixed paint into epoxy and used it to make minor repairs to crankbaits. Like Skeeter says, it works great.

 

Ben

[bass100]

I guess the question is are you wanting to make your jig heads a solid color or add detail.  If you are making them a solid color then an airbrush really isn't needed but if you want detail then the way I do it will work very well for you.  I made a couple of boxes of realistic swim jigs last year to test and to be honest I don't plan on using them anymore because the solid color swim jigs out fished the realistic swim jigs 100% of the time.  Seriously, not once did the realistic swim jigs out fish the reagular ones once. 

[Darkman]

i want to know simple cause I don't know how to do it and I want to see for my selt if its a viable option. Revenge baits airbrushes every one of there product and the are one of the better companies. there are people  on this site that can paint anything on anything and so im hoping one pops up to say how, I want to know cause I want to know....I don't do this for profit, im a total hobbyist and I only pour, dip, PP, for myself

[Darkman]

• to all you that would not paint a jig, thank you but that not what I asked at all, but that adding paint to Epoxy is something im going to try tonight...thank you Skeeter and Bass100 for the idea

[Anglinarcher]

Hey Darkman, bass100 gave you what you need.  To give me a little more detail on what I do, when I "feel the need", I do the following:

 

1) I know that lead does not create a great bond to paint, so I dip or paint the jig with Solarez or Alumilite UV and cure it with ultraviolet light.  This gives me a good solid base to paint on.

 

2) I base coat with white.  This makes the colors on top "pop".

 

3) Depending on the detail I want, I normally start by applying belly color first, or leaving it white, then from the top I spray the back color so it mist the sides. 
 

4) If I am going to this detail, I always paint an eye, so I normally have a template set up for a white dot at the eye now.

 

5) I now apply whatever detail I want with templates.

 

6) I now topcoat with D2T, or Etex, or AlumiUV.  Solarez work fine as well if you don't need a super glossy and clear top coat.

 

I have seen good videos on YouTube that shows spray painting jigs, but I did not save the bookmark so I can't suggest them right now.  Still, I bet you could find something there that can help you as well.

 

Of course my above procedure is not the only way, or the most detailed, and some paint patterns require a different sequence, but this is the basis of what I do.  I hope it helps answer your questions.

 

Last, except for the fact I always add an eye, I usually don't paint a lot of detail in my jigs.  If it is suppose to be a minnow, normally a belly and a back color is sufficient.  If it is a crawfish, a solid color is sufficient most of the time and no eye is used.

 

Good luck, let us know what works for you.

[nedyarb]

I use a badger 260(mini sandblaster)to airbrush my spinnerbaits. I use powder paint with it. I dip the lead into to main color. Then spray the tops and bottoms with whatever colors i decide.

Edited December 26, 2014 by nedyarb

[mark poulson]

I powder coat my base color, use stick on eyes and solvent based sharpies to add details, and coat with clear nail polish.  I add soft plastic flake to the polish for some added accent, like adding purple flake to a brown or black jig head.

[nedyarb]

Heres one i made tonight....all powder with the 260

[mark poulson]

Heres one i made tonight....all powder with the 260

You have now been officially added to the list of people I HATE!!!!  Hahaha

[bass100]

Heres one i made tonight....all powder with the 260

That looks great.

[mark poulson]

Heres one i made tonight....all powder with the 260

On second thought, how can I hate someone who is obviously my long lost favorite son, and who wants to give his daddy the best spinnerbaits he can make.

Such a wonderful son!!!

[Darkman]

Nice work brother

[mark poulson]

I use a badger 260(mini sandblaster)to airbrush my spinnerbaits. I use powder paint with it. I dip the lead into to main color. Then spray the tops and bottoms with whatever colors i decide.

How do you get the sprayed paint to stick to the lure, so you can cure it out?

[nedyarb]

I initially heat the jig for 8 seconds and dip it in the base coat. It should be hot enough for the paint to stick to the lead but not smooth over. Then heat again for about 15 seconds which will smooth the paint out. Then spray the top color and repeat for the bottom. The key is to get the jig really hot when you spray it.

[mark poulson]

That makes sense.

Is the paint you spray in a liquid carrier, or dry?

[nedyarb]

Regular dry powder

[Venutian_Lures]

I airbrush all of my jigs the same way I do with crankbaits. I always apply a white base coat and let each layer of paint dry before adding another. I usually end up doing 2 coats of the main color I want my jig head to be. I also paint the entire thing from head back through the collar and plastics keeper. I add glitter if wanted in my clear coat. I use a thick coat of D2T on my jigs, which is the only difference between my crankbaits and jigs; I use a different clear for the cranks. 

I've never had an issue with the paint not wanting to stick on the jig head, no customers have ever come back complaining either. I threw a 3/8oz last week in some super rocky stuff and all my paint was accounted for, not a scratch on the jig head either.

[mark poulson]

Regular dry powder

 

Thanks, favorite son!

[smallmouthaholic]

For years I airbrushed jigs w/ vinyl lure and jig paint and finished w/ epoxy. Enter powder paint- goodbye Vinyl lure and jig paint. I clean all of my lead jig heads in acetone 1st to get the lead as clean as possible. This is performed in an exhaust booth w/ a brush less exhaust fan that has 650-750 CFM capabilities.Points of interest-

 

1- There are some real artist on TU and Kudos to you all

2-Fancy ,2-3 color jig heads make no difference in the strike/ catch ratio- sharp hooks and central balance do! Good ,lively crayfish imitation trailers w/ 2-4 color,40-55 strand silicone  skirts do make a difference. A completed jig that lays on its side is worthless I.M.O. & experience.

4- I pour my bass jigs w/ the fiber guards in place- no glue in for this guy

5- The angle / distance from the hook point of the fiber guard and the jig head design determines how weedless the jigs are plus their ability they have to work through submerged,horizontal wood.

6- Green pumpkin and black are the only 2 colors I paint jig heads .

7- If it makes you feel better to have 3 color heads and 3-d eyes,more power to you.I airbrushed plenty of 2-3 color jig heads w/ VL&J paint and epoxy  24 years ago.  The bass simply  don't care.

8- Painted jigs will eventually chip when fished through sharp ledges and rocks.

 

It's up to the individual to determine what works best for him or her. Hobbyist have all day and tomorrow to get real fancy w/ jigs.Again,kudos to all of you w/ beautiful 3-color eyes and 2-3 color jig heads. Time is money to the small, commercial manufacturer.