Airbrush topcoat/sealer

[Jaxon2]

I've always used powder paint when making lead jigs and jigging spoons and then just baked in a toaster oven to cure. Even use a powder paint gun to powder paint blade baits and shiver minnows. I am now wanting to try acrylic paints as I like the finer detail that can be acheived. My hold up is what to use as a topcoat/sealer? I know KBS is popular, but I make jigs/lures for my use and not for resale. I feel the KBS is fairly expensive and will go bad before I get enough use out of it. What other options are out there? I've seen clear nail polish mentioned, but not sure how long that would hold up. Can 2 ton epoxy be thinned out to provide a thin coat? Looking for something that won't effect the action of a blade bait, but provide a durable topcoat/sealer. Thanks for any insight...

[dwtaylor]

I have painted some swim jigs with an air brush and acrylic paint for fine details like scale patterns over cured white powder coat.  

I used BSI 30 min epoxy as a top coat and had the jigs cure on a turner.  Once the epoxy set up I pulled the weedguard pins out.  I did thin it out slightly but that was more to do with extending pot life than anything.

So far so good but I dont really fish these baits around rock that test its durability.  

On a blade bait Id recommend some kind of primer or something to improve paint adhesion, but otherwise I think 2 part slow cure epoxy would work just fine.

[mark poulson]

I use clear fingernail polish over my acrylic paint jobs.  It is really clear, and tough.  I use it on the hook paths on cranks to stop hook rash.

[Fishermanbt]

I use CS Coatings Seal Coat. Just two or maybe three coats if I put glitter in the first coat. Dip and drip method or thinned with water and airbrushed on. It’s held up well so far. Haven’t done enough airbrush sealing to attest to durability. 
 

Another method I use is UV cure resin. Just make sure the resin is at room temperature when using. Makes for a thinner coat. Then cure under the appropriate UV light preferably on a rotisserie. 

 

Edited December 14, 2023 by Fishermanbt
Add pictures

[Outlaw4]

just get the kbs in the aerosol can. it works good for personal use. somewhere here i have pics of a few jigs i used on. pretty good protection and keeps eyes on relatively well. i use on all my personal stuff

also...can use lacquers as well, better than acrylic for that. or there would be no need for acrylic specifically for that use

Edited December 14, 2023 by Outlaw4
update information

[cadman]

2 hours ago, Outlaw4 said:

just get the kbs in the aerosol can. it works good for personal use. somewhere here i have pics of a few jigs i used on. pretty good protection and keeps eyes on relatively well. i use on all my personal stuff

also...can use lacquers as well, better than acrylic for that. or there would be no need for acrylic specifically for that use

I was thinking KBS spray can as well. Out of curiosity, is that spray can reusable or does it clog if you leave some in it. I want to use it to spray some reels I painted. Just looking for some good solid info.

[Arne]

Cad.  Don't know, but if you use spray foam you can put the sprayer and the nozzle tube in some acetone and it will clean it out and you will be ready to reuse the can. I have reused the cans after a month or two.  so thnk the clog comes in the nozzle not the can.  Course you are talking different materials but if I was to try a can would spray some of the KBS and add some acetone to it to see how it reacts.  Spray it on something besides your finished lures to try it.  Arne.

[Outlaw4]

13 hours ago, cadman said:

I was thinking KBS spray can as well. Out of curiosity, is that spray can reusable or does it clog if you leave some in it. I want to use it to spray some reels I painted. Just looking for some good solid info.

the can i have now is getting close to a couple years old. it goes a long way. and i have not had issue with it clogging at all and im not doing anything special as far as maintenance on it. But i also dont have much issue with regular kbs hardening in the can and stuff like some others do, so maybe my garage is just kbs friendly 

[cadman]

3 hours ago, Outlaw4 said:

the can i have now is getting close to a couple years old. it goes a long way. and i have not had issue with it clogging at all and im not doing anything special as far as maintenance on it. But i also dont have much issue with regular kbs hardening in the can and stuff like some others do, so maybe my garage is just kbs friendly 

Thanks for the great info. Do you by chance turn the can upside down to clear the air nozzle, or do you spray and just put away till next time?

[Outlaw4]

On 12/15/2023 at 11:28 AM, cadman said:

Thanks for the great info. Do you by chance turn the can upside down to clear the air nozzle, or do you spray and just put away till next time?

nope it just sits here like this till i need it. 

[Munkin]

KBS spray can is great for spinnerbait blades but I wouldn't use it on the baits you listed. If you are just making a few baits for yourself that make contact with rocks I recommend Devcon 2 ton 30 minute epoxy. For airbrushed baits that don't regularly contact rocks KBS Diamond Clear works but has its draw backs. KBS is finicky when it comes to storage? I have had some dry up in a week and some still good after 8 months. 

 

Allen 

[Apdriver]

I use the “Tap the can” method of use and storage and have literally kept KBS clear useable for years.

[RM3]

BSI 30 minute, slightly thinned with denatured alcohol. A thin even coat and no turning is necessary. Thin is key. as far as durability, my acrylic painted epoxy top coated baits pass the same test I give powder coat batches, drop them from eye level on concrete. Never get more than a small dent.