Fishhead15 Posted March 11, 2015 Report Share Posted March 11, 2015 I have a few baits that I want to repaint, and I am wondering if there are any ways to get the factory eyes off the bait? I thought there was a thread about this before, but I cant find it using the search function... I don't care if the eyes get messed up since I plan to replace them anyway. Up to this point i have been covering them with tape, but that doesn't always end up clean. thanks Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gman24 Posted March 11, 2015 Report Share Posted March 11, 2015 (edited) Exacto knife usually works for me. I have a set that has many of the triangular shaped blades that go to a point. Only done a few, but I was even able to reuse them. The ones I did were 3d eyes. Not sure about flat eyes. Edited March 11, 2015 by Gman24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltshaker Posted March 11, 2015 Report Share Posted March 11, 2015 Utility knife blade will do the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted March 11, 2015 Report Share Posted March 11, 2015 Depending on the size of the eye a hole punch can cut perfect circles out of painters tape to cover the eye with. A leather punch can also work. I usually do as recommended above with the Exacto knife. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishhead15 Posted March 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2015 thanks for your replies. I have been using a hole punch and painters tape, but the eyes I have to remove are smaller. I tried tracing a 5 mm split ring and cutting with the exacto knife, but those were too small and I couldn't cut a good circle...ended up with irregular edges. I need to practice or get a sharper blade or both.... the bait is a river2sea S-waver and the eyes are a little bit recessed and at an angle, which made simply prying them out difficult...but, I ended up hitting them with a heat gun for a few seconds on each side to soften the glue and was able to pry them loose that way. have to be careful with this as I noticed the factory paint starting to wrinkle if I held the heat gun in one place too long. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaw Posted March 11, 2015 Report Share Posted March 11, 2015 You can also take a little clay and put it on the eyes as a mask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Moreau Posted March 11, 2015 Report Share Posted March 11, 2015 put the tape on the bait over the eyes and press down so you get good contact. Then just trace around the eye edge with a utility blade and wha-la! I have painted a bunch of wavers this way. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bois d'Arc Posted March 12, 2015 Report Share Posted March 12, 2015 put the tape on the bait over the eyes and press down so you get good contact. Then just trace around the eye edge with a utility blade and wha-la! I have painted a bunch of wavers this way. X2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...