Bois d'Arc Posted January 5, 2015 Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 Just wondering what, if anything, others do to prepare a plastic lure blank for painting? I'm speaking about sanding, cleaning with alcohol, dipping in solvents, washing with soap.....whatever is done before the first paint is sprayed on the unpainted blanks. Thanks for any responses to this question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DingerBaits Posted January 5, 2015 Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 A quick dip in acetone work pretty well to clean up the plastic. Soap may leave some deposits on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglinarcher Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 I wash with a little alcohol, hit it with a little Krylon Fusion paint that is designed to adhere to plastic, then go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bass Man Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 (edited) I do the same as Anglinarcher!! Edited January 6, 2015 by Big Bass Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 I just wipe it down with denatured alcohol to remove any residual oil/dirt, then lay on a color basecoat of Polytranspar Superhide White water based acrylic paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 (edited) I dip them once, quickly, in clean acetone, hang them to let it evaporate, and then paint directly over the freshly exposed plastic with my water based air brush paints. For me, the dipping provides a totally clean, "open" surface, and I've had not problems with my Createx or Wildlife paints bonding. It also clears any sanding dullness at the joints. The top coat protects the paint. I've been doing this for years now, and it's worked for me. But, bear in mind, I'm a hobby builder, so I don't have tons of baits out there that I have to stand behind. Edited January 6, 2015 by mark poulson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bois d'Arc Posted January 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Thanks for the responses. As usual, TU has folks are ready to offer helpfull comments on just about any tacklemaking subject. I will certainly try some of the suggestions to prepare my unpainted blanks before painting. I recently tried the acetone dip and was very pleased with the way it cleared the plastic of any surface abrasions and discoloration. The only issue I had was with some chalky white stuff forming on the lowest part of the blank after hanging and drying. Some of it wipes off, but not all of it. Anyone have any similar experiences? Did I miss a step? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Thanks for the responses. As usual, IMG_0859.JPG After the quick dip in clean acetone give the bait a quick flip of the wrist and any excess will be thrown off the lure. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Venutian_Lures Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 I use a tip given to me by a guy that paints models of airplanes, cars etc. I wipe them down with lighter fluid before and after the paint has been applied to remove any oils and dirt from the baits being handled. All my blanks come pre-sanded, haven't had to touch any up that way as of yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMilliken Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 I ALWAYS hit my bait with the heat gun just prior to spraying on a layer of paint. But I'm also shooting in about a 30 degree garage right now... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joetheplumber Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 I dip in acetone and hit it with the heat gun. It helped me get rid of the chalky spots on the blanks. **Do this at your own risk** Then a nice coat of Krylon Fusion clear if I'm doing a ghost pattern. If not, base coat of Polytranspar Superhide White and then paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bois d'Arc Posted January 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 (edited) The acetone dip works great now...thanks Ben, for the tip on avoiding the chalky residue. I used a soda blaster to remove paint from some plastic lures and then wiped the soda blasted lures off and dipped them in acetone. They cleared very nicely and look ready for painting. The hvac went out in my shop so I'm down for a few days. Once thats fixed I'll paint a few of them and see how it goes. Always good information from this site ....thanks to everyone who commented. Edited January 9, 2015 by boisarc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 Glad to help Boisarc. It was Mark that told me about the dip in acetone and I just added the flip of the wrist to it. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...