SW Lures Posted August 31, 2017 Report Share Posted August 31, 2017 I have been laying foil on the sides of plugs and hiding the edge. I have also tried leafing over plugs, really don't like the way they turn out sometimes. I have got interested in foil totally covering plugs. I'm just looking for silver and holographic foil. What is a good foil to use and where can I get it? Hopefully at a store that I can go and look at, like Michaels, etc. To wrap a plug seems a pretty hard task with the contour of a plug. Do you have any tips on doing this? I appreciate your replies. Thanks, Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted August 31, 2017 Report Share Posted August 31, 2017 Not really any practical way to do it with seamless/smooth finish, as you eluded to. I just use HVAC foil tape. I used an exacto knife to make slits as pieces have to overlap. Then a lot of burnishing will almost make it unnoticeable. I also messed at one time making a paper template and removed the excess to get a pattern just too much effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted August 31, 2017 Report Share Posted August 31, 2017 You might do it with shrink wrap sleeves for lures, if any are sold that are plain silver (I don't know if there are). Most of them come printed with pretty wild saltwater color schemes. As far as regular foil tape, I don't know of any that are stretchable and can cover a whole lure without creasing. I'm using Venture adhesive duct tape which comes in various thicknesses. Some of it is thin enough that the edges disappear when burnished but it's still only good for lure sides. Not a problem since the belly and back are painted anyway. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted August 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2017 Yeah I understand BobP that's what I'm trying to find. I'm finding it hard to get a tape to wrap around. I know I will have a seam on the back and belly. Right now I put a ridge along the side/back to blend the tape in. I may take a look at those shrink sleeves. I just didnt want to buy something that will not work. I see some baits with a fading back color. I can get close tho. I've tried the paints that sopposed to give chrome looks........not! It dulls with all kinds of clears. People on facebooks has tried all types of clear and I've tried others. It looks like a shiny aluminum, which isn't to bad. If I find something I'll post. Thanks BobP, Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted August 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2017 Travis I didnt see you post at first. Once I left from posting I was notified of yours, glitch I guess. Yeah Travis I know. It's not no fast and easy way to make them look perfect or close. As in anything it takes work to make them right. Thanks Travis, Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted August 31, 2017 Report Share Posted August 31, 2017 I made some flat sided baits, and was able to foil them with a strip on the bottom that rolled up onto the side a little, a strip on each side, and a strip on top that rolled back down onto the side pieces a little. I used the same Venture BritBak silver foil that Bob told me about, years ago. I burnished the seams with a Sharpie body, and then sprayed Createx lightly onto the foil. I sealed them with two dips in AC1315, which was the clear coat I was using at the time. The clear didn't take away from the shine at all. The finish isn't bullet proof, but it's held up for five+ years of intermittent fishing and rattling around in plano boxes with other lures, and the baits are still shiny. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gliders Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 Hi dale, I've posted previously about using hot stamp foil and tacky epoxy/glue to foil complete lure. Its a bit tricky but can be done. Depending on lure shape and size you can just about cover some with aluminium tape, I use venture tape , and with practice you can cover certain lure shapes almost completely ....glider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stretcher66 Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 hey dale there is a member named Kasilofchrisn that posts in the wire bait section. he came up with a way of hot stamping his jigs. you should hit him up or do a search for his name and hot stamping 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gliders Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 Stretcher, there is a way of applying hot stamp foil using heat and a silicone slab ,I've not properly tested it thoroughly myself yet but looks promising. ....glider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted September 2, 2017 Report Share Posted September 2, 2017 I think Venture foil no longer makes the Brite-Bak foil, which was designed for stained glass artist's. But they still make duct foil in various thicknesses, the thinnest of which works well on crankbaits. I found some on EBay. It seems equivalent to the Britt-Bak, at least I can't tell the difference. Just FYI. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted September 2, 2017 Report Share Posted September 2, 2017 2 hours ago, BobP said: I think Venture foil no longer makes the Brite-Bak foil, which was designed for stained glass artist's. But they still make duct foil in various thicknesses, the thinnest of which works well on crankbaits. I found some on EBay. It seems equivalent to the Britt-Bak, at least I can't tell the difference. Just FYI. Thanks Bob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted September 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2017 Thanks all, I will give your ideas some thought. I believe Gliders and Stretcher that I have seen that process or read something about it. Isn't it where you put a bait with the tape on it in a heated plate (2 sided) type machine? Bob I'll look into that company and the products. I will do some searching too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stretcher66 Posted September 3, 2017 Report Share Posted September 3, 2017 yes it is dale, but the guy in the wire baits does it with a vise and a towel if i remember right 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stretcher66 Posted September 3, 2017 Report Share Posted September 3, 2017 here ya go dale http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/topic/27948-how-to-foil-a-jig-like-this/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted September 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2017 Thanks Stretcher, Someone I know of, bought the whole set up and is showing how he modified the machine to do plastic blanks. I may have a way to make my own type of machine I just need two parts. Which I'll start looking for this week. If that doesn't pane out, I need another way that is fairly easyly do the heat fusion of the tape or fork out 250+/- for a machine. Once I get my paperwork back, I can take it off....but ingenuity works some for me or someone helps me out. I left a message for Kasil but he hasn't been on for awhile. Anyways thanks for the info, Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasilofchrisn Posted September 3, 2017 Report Share Posted September 3, 2017 Hey DaleSW replied to your PM. I don't think my method will work for you but all the info is in my thread on jig foiling. The big one is the 325*f needed for the foil adhesive to work. Not sure a hard bait will handle that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted September 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2017 Thanks, I know now your technique will not work for me the way you do it. However my idea will. I just didn't want to go the wrong way and there is a better one. Thanks and take care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robn510 Posted September 3, 2017 Report Share Posted September 3, 2017 might try looking into finger nail foils. They are thinner than other foils and when heated have a little stretch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted September 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2017 How does water base paints do with this. I've heard about this product but would like to know more about how to use this. I would assume that it is similar to how most foils are installed. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robn510 Posted September 6, 2017 Report Share Posted September 6, 2017 Dale if you're asking about nail foils.. they use a different adhesive than the hot press foils. I own a printing shop and we use the common foils a lot on women's and kids garments. The nail foils are really much thinner and much more flexible, especially if racked, heated a bit and put into a mold and pressed. (*low temp vacuum-forming ; ) The nail adhesive also isn't the same as the common printing and embossing foil glues (which require higher application temps and preheating to adhere the foil. The nail foil adhesive is closer to sally hansens or a low tack superglue rather than the much thicker embossing foil adhesives, which imho cannot be beat for irons, vertical/speed jigs and metal lures that you can heat, it's an aggressive adhesive and very permanent when heated but probably not the best choice for already smooth surfaced cranks and swimbaits. Embossing glue is better suited for metal jigs and is common with offshore manufacturers who thin the glue to stretch its volume and to fill gaps. they also need to be able to quickly brush it onto jigs in a production heat press setting. paints? I honestly dont know how wb paints do on it, the foils have a smooth surface, they take spray paints well so i would assume it would adhere by airbrushing..but i'm not totally sure. Luckily it's cheap and readily accessible online. so why not give it a shot? Good luck brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted September 6, 2017 Report Share Posted September 6, 2017 If you want a smooth shiny chrome seam free finish you need to just break down and pay the piper. Vacuum metalization is frequently the process used to do large batches of chrome (aluminum) baits. Most won't be happy with the results as they don't spend enough time on the getting a smooth blank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted September 6, 2017 Report Share Posted September 6, 2017 (edited) What kind of adhesive is used on the foil pieces that are applied to chatter bait blades? That stuff really holds! My son-n-law's brother has a plating business, and he says the reason steel parts need to be coated with another metal, like copper, before they are chromed is that you need a softer sub-surface that can be polished, because the chrome won't hide any blemishes or irregularities. Edited September 6, 2017 by mark poulson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...