CheCT Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 Trying to decide if it's worth making the switch from the current epoxy I'm using to AlumiUV. The time savings are obvious but is it really worth the extra cash? The current epoxy I'm using runs about $1.75 an ounce AlumiUV runs over $3 an ounce plus UV lighting equipment. Input from the guys that are using the ALumiUV would be greatly appreciated. Here's the questions I have My plan is to run a wheel. Is that doable while keeping the cure times reasonable What kind of set up you running & hows the cure time? Hows the durability? I'm doing a lot of custom painting, mainly musky lures so durability is a big concern Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 I've never used AlumiUV but have tried Solarez UV cured polyester resin and I'm thinking the AlumiUV is similar. Solarez sells for around $25 per quart, so it's much cheaper but it also has some qualities that make it less than ideal for topcoating baits. Durability isn't one - it seems as durable and as thick as an epoxy topcoat. Before taking the plunge, I'd ask if the AlumiUV uses a wax additive to cause the topcoat's surface to harden. If so, you may have problems with a white wax blush on the topcoat. Note that Solarez and many other UV cured polyester resins will also cure quickly when exposed to sunlight. I use Solarez to undercoat wood lures. Brush it on, let it level out on my drying wheel for a few minutes, then sit the wheel out in the driveway for 10-15 minutes to cure hard. It will also cure under a UV salon nail light, which are inexpensive on Ebay or Amazon. Cure time under strong UV lighting is 2-3 minutes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 I also use Solarez. I like it for baits where a thicker coating won't affect buoyancy, like bigger PVC baits. I only notice the slight hazing on a black or very dark bait. Otherwise, it's fine, and quick. I can make a bait, paint it, top coat it, and fish it the same day, if I get a bug up my butt. That doesn't seem to happen as often as it used to! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheCT Posted December 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Ive tried solarez twice over the past 3 years. I have to be honest, when ive sealed my lures with it i accidentally dropped a few, and the solarez cracks. I sit in a chair when I sand them, so they have only falled a couple feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Ive tried solarez twice over the past 3 years. I have to be honest, when ive sealed my lures with it i accidentally dropped a few, and the solarez cracks. I sit in a chair when I sand them, so they have only falled a couple feet. Ned, I stopped the cracking by putting a piece of carpet down in my work area. Hahaha Seriously, I haven't had that happen, but I haven't done the concrete floor drop test....yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish pirate Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Solarez gloss resin is tougher than the vinyl ester but yes it will crack on a short drop. The new stuff is as tough or tougher than Alumiuv. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted December 23, 2015 Report Share Posted December 23, 2015 Solarez gloss resin is tougher than the vinyl ester but yes it will crack on a short drop. The new stuff is as tough or tougher than Alumiuv. What is the new stuff called? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish pirate Posted December 23, 2015 Report Share Posted December 23, 2015 I don't know but I'll call Gary tomorrow and get the name. I just got on his website and don't see anything new. Mine comes in an unmarked can with my name on the side of it in magic marker. He may not of had time to update his website. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted December 24, 2015 Report Share Posted December 24, 2015 I'll try typing Fish Pirate Resin in the search feature and see what pops up. Hahaha 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish pirate Posted December 24, 2015 Report Share Posted December 24, 2015 Gary was supposed to have returned a call today but I guess he got busy. Maybe tomorrow? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipz Posted December 24, 2015 Report Share Posted December 24, 2015 Well I've had my finger on the add to cart button for almost a week! I figure they're closed today, or to busy to return calls, so I'll keep my finger ready to tap that button Monday. I am anxiously awaiting his reply. I'm tired of the hassle of epoxy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish pirate Posted December 24, 2015 Report Share Posted December 24, 2015 I'm working harder than the owner to find out for you guys, can't get a return on calls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianB Posted December 24, 2015 Report Share Posted December 24, 2015 fish pirate, I assume you use the new Solarez on wood baits? What is your process if you don't mind me asking? Paint then Solarez to seal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish pirate Posted December 25, 2015 Report Share Posted December 25, 2015 I use 2 coats of solarez grain sealer uv, 2 coats of new solarez for build coat, paint, 2 coats new solarez for top coat. I dip every time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted December 28, 2015 Report Share Posted December 28, 2015 Well Ive tried 3 different solarez products and all crack on short drops in my garage. But I still use it, I just seal my baits with super glue first. After the ca glue I dip the lure twice in the polyester sanding sealer. It dries dry and rock hard. Then I paint the lure and top coat it with kbs diamond. The polyester clear gloss, and polyester epoxy do not seem to dry rock hard so Ive stopped using them. However it is currently 15 degrees and I dip in my garage, so Im guessing that is the main issue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted December 28, 2015 Report Share Posted December 28, 2015 Here is what the cracks look like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish pirate Posted December 28, 2015 Report Share Posted December 28, 2015 Yes those are the same issues i had with it. I wish i could help you guys with the new product but nobody at Solarez will as much as return a call now. I don't understand the business model of doing that to your customers but it is what it is. I'm working on 2 other UV suppliers to try to get another product. I'll keep trying! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted December 28, 2015 Report Share Posted December 28, 2015 If that is how it cracks I couldn't even begin to think about using it. There are several other threads that would indicated it is much stronger than this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipz Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 Fish Pirate, I was finally able to talk with Gary this evening. Nice guy, slam FULL of information, but he never gave up any details or a name for the unmarked "stuff" you speak of. I point blank ask him twice during our 15 minute conversation, and he steered clear of an answer? By the way, I'm not sure if I've mentioned it or not, but I custom paint Clear crankbait blanks, not wood. I'm not sure if that would matter or not? I wouldn't think so as a "topcoat". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheCT Posted December 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2015 I talked to someone at solarez yesterday too. The guy never gave me his name and to be honest seemed kinda dodgy. I was asking some pretty specific info so I could compare things to what I currently use. And also about his recommendations. He basically said, polyester, Fly tying stuff and the new custom formula. Which he gave me almost no info about other than its better and a price per gallon. I did get an email address but no name. Hard to do business with someone that seems to be hiding something. If that's the cracking you get when the solarez is dropped I'm not interested anyway. It would never stand up to a long day of casting...... I've managed to track down a couple more manufacturers of uv cured products. I've got a sample on the way. I'll keep ya posted with what happens with it. Oh as far as alumiUV goes after calling and getting quoted a price of $296 a gallon there's just no way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipz Posted December 30, 2015 Report Share Posted December 30, 2015 Hey CheCT, check your messages when you can. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
