Blank Genuine S-Wavers

[Ichthus]

I was digging around yesterday and called up River 2Sea asking if they had blank S-wavers. They do. However they're 45$ a piece! No way am I paying that. This got me thinking. I heard that there's a way to take paint off of baits by using brake fluid. If this is true can somebody post pictures of their stripped baits? Thanks.

[barrybait]

I painted one of the larger s-wavers for a friend and posted it in the gallery.  I don't know how the coatings hold up with hook rash etc. but I used a small sand blast pot ant the finish popped off like crazy with the slightest sweep of the blasting media.  If you have access to that or a bead blaster it works great.  I haven't tried the brake fluid yet.

[mark poulson]

I repainted a Spro trout, and the paint held.  I wiped it down with denatured alcohol, painted it with Createx color, and top coated it with Solarez, brushed on.

So far, it has been bulletproof.

[Rip Bass]

I tried dot3 brake fluid on a Baby One Minus,had to soak it overnight.It removed the finish but it left the plastic gummy feeling. I was able to remove the oily residue with DA and the bait eventually hardened but I never could get Createx to stick to it.Still got it and haven't given up but it doesn't look good.

[mcallister920]

I can't imagine that Brake fluid would be a good idea. not only will it soften the plastic but it is petroleum based. I can't imagine getting paint or topcoat to stick to it after soaking it in it. Sand blasting with Baking soda works well. I assume that $45 was for the S-waver 200?

[Seeking 56]

I posted this method of stripping paint here on TU back in 2008.  It works.  It's messy though.  You need to completely sature the lure by bathing it in brake fluid, or perhaps even hanging it and keep applying the fluid.  Not the fastest method to strip lures. I would only do this now for lures that have embossed scales.  I wiped the flaking paint off with an acid brush.  Once you've manually removed all the paint, spray it with an aerosol brake rotor cleaner and then wash it with mild detergent soap and water.  Also, make sure the fluid can't get into the body cavity via the hook hangers or line tie. 

 

I don't know what the lure you're talking about looks like but if it had a plastic lip, tape it as the fluid will discolor it as it was pointed out to me.

 

s56

[fishnart]

I just prime over it and paint away, have never had an issue

[Ichthus]

Thanks for the responses. Yes these are for the 200 s-wavers. And the reason I wanted to use brake fluid is because a lot of guys like their baits with more clear or transparent color schemes. Take light hitch for example. That's a big color around here and I've heard of guys paying 75$ for it. I'm just doing this for a friend but that's an example.

[mark poulson]

Try scraping first, and then dipping in acetone to get the last of the paint off.  Be quick, or you'll dissolve the whole bait.

[Ichthus]

So, assuming I did this correctly, would this would give me a transparent blank "canvas" to paint on mark?

[mark poulson]

If you get all the paint off, you'll have clean plastic left.  I don't know if they use a clear plastic blank, so I can't say whether you can get a transparent blank.

[Ichthus]

Ok thanks mark. Much appreciated.

[keysd13]

A soda blaster from Harbor Freight will remove the paint and not damage the bait.