Saugerman Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 I have just started painting crankbaits with an airbrush. My question is what is the best way to cover the bill on this bait? I have had a very hard time tapping off the bills, because of the way the bill hangs out past the body of the bait. Is there a better way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bass Man Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 I use Blue Painters Tape. Goes on easy & comes off easy. I tape the front part of the bill first. Then I start under the bill, up next to the belly of the lure. Wrap around and curve around the top of the bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Yes, it's a PITA but I also use painters tape - I start with small strips near the nose of the bait and work my way out to the end with larger pieces. It often takes 8-9 pieces to do it all but I haven't found a better way to get it done. I take it off by lifting edges of the tape with an X-acto knife before I topcoat the bait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 I use 1 1/2" blue painters tape. I cut a piece about 3" long, and place it up against the nose on the top of the lure. I push the line tie wire up through the tape, and then wrap the tape over the tip of the bill and down back side of the bill, trying to get it to cover the same location near the nose as I do. Once I have the main bill covered, I cut a 1/4"X 1 1/2" strip of tape, cut that into two 3/4" lengths, and use those strips to mask the small triangle at each side of the bait's nose that aren't covered yet. I start by putting the first strip on top, covering that triangle, and then fold it over the edge of the bill and align it to cover the triangle on the bottom. For me, that's plenty. I used to try and get a perfect fit by cutting curves in the tape, but I soon found out that for me, this method is plenty good, and takes about two minutes a bait. For smaller bills, I wrap from side to side, not over the nose, and use the excess tape at the end of the bill for the side strips. I cut it off before I begin folding, so it is a nice, straight+- piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saugerman Posted February 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 Thanks guys, I just have had a hard time getting it covered without a lot of hassle, plus my painters tape is old, and doesn't want to stick. Guess I need to get some new and keep doing it till it gets easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltshaker Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 What Bob said...from the nose outward. Get ya some new tape and you'll be fine. Good Luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
