delSexy Posted November 26, 2015 Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 Hello, I've been fishing for a few years now and I just started painting lure blanks in the last couple of months. I've got the painting down real well, but I always have a problem clearing the hook hangers after I dip my lure for the final coat. I end up pulling up some epoxy and paint or the epoxy looks frayed with me messing with it so much with an exacto knife. I'm using Seal Coat UV blast on top of a EnviroTex Lite top coat. I wait for the ETEX to dry then the next day dip it in the seal coat for a second and final coat. It hardens pretty fast and I'll pull them off after a couple of hours and then struggle getting the eyes clear. Currently, I'm using preformed blanks from Ebay/Barlow's so the eyes are in place before I paint/epoxy them. I'd just like to hear what you all do and how to keep the lures looking professional, especially if the paint job looks great but the clear coating makes it look bad. Thanks in advanced for any comments ya'll have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted November 26, 2015 Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 I clean the clear coat out of my hook hangers before it has a chance to harden. Much easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delSexy Posted November 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Thanks Mark, I think I'll check on them every 15 mins after I dip then clear them if they need it. Thanks for the idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverMan Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Not sure why you feel you need another coat after the epoxy. The epoxy will hold up fine on its own. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass100 Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Not sure why you feel you need another coat after the epoxy. The epoxy will hold up fine on its own. I am assuming he wants the advantage of UV which you don't get from Etex. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delSexy Posted November 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 That and I always get low spots even after checking my work under a led lamp. Plus since I use a drying wheel the glitter sticks out after it dries. The dip ensures an even coat for me and looks fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverMan Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 I have lures more than a decade old that show no signs of yellowing with etex. Devcon will yellow though. RM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 I don't try to keep finish off the hook hangers. In fact, on the wood baits I paint I make sure they are covered to insure against a water leak in those areas. It's very easy to clear the hangers with a micro drill bit chucked in a Dremel tool after the clearcoat has cured. You can alternatively use a piece of stainless wire in place of the drill bit. Takes only a minute. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughesy Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 I don't try to keep finish off the hook hangers. In fact, on the wood baits I paint I make sure they are covered to insure against a water leak in those areas. It's very easy to clear the hangers with a micro drill bit chucked in a Dremel tool after the clearcoat has cured. You can alternatively use a piece of stainless wire in place of the drill bit. Takes only a minute. X2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delSexy Posted November 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Thanks for all your answers. This is a big help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crab05 Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 I use a dremel tool and small bit to clean mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
