Custom painting lures

[Fish24/7]

11 hours ago, TrophyFishR said:

Living with imperfection is a big challenge. Tonight, I got the scales right but goofed up the bluegill gill plate. The more I tried to correct the problem, the worse it looked.

At some point you have to put the air brush down & take a break. Sometimes, I question my sanity with the details. But stock bluegill colors a kinda trashy, then certain lures dont come in a particular color pattern. For instance, PRADCO has the best matte firetiger of all time. I was able to spray plasti dip & achieve similar matte results. I really like stock colors that only need a couple details added & 1 coat of clear. It really makes life easier. These start from scratch ultra detailed blugill will make you go mad sometimes. Either way, I enjoy this part of lure modification. I feel like i've got an edge when I'm fishing with my own match the hatch lures.

i did a big goof last night with a crankbait, had to wash all the paint off and start over because I had put the scales on backwards on the other side !

break time is very important, i have a stop watch set for 10 minutes work, ten minutes break. I can put in a full day with minimal issues this way. Painted(still need top coat) 28 lures in 2 days doing this with only 3 "bad apples". I know what it's like to go mad while doing this, airbrushing is a fine art and it really does require total concentration.  

Any way to boost confidence when fishing keeps the attitude positive!

[Fish24/7]

10 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

Surely I'm not the only one that notices that the colored lip Wiggle Warts catch more and bigger fish than the clear lipped ones.  

Paint those lips!!! ??

thought never crossed my mind, now I wonder 

[dtrs5kprs]

45 minutes ago, Fish24/7 said:

thought never crossed my mind, now I wonder 

Never seen it hold up. At least for me. Also doesn't explain phantom colors, which have just a touch of color on the lip (which is usually scratched off on rocks)

[dtrs5kprs]

One thing that has always bugged me about warts is that they are essentially backwards. Eyes should be at the tail. 

Also doesn't seem to matter. I've painted a bunch in the same color and put the eyes in both places. No discernible difference.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

Surely I'm not the only one that notices that the colored lip Wiggle Warts catch more and bigger fish than the clear lipped ones.  

Paint those lips!!! ??

I agree with you, but clear coating a curved surface on the wart bill can make you go insane. 

Etex always leaves an area around the edge of the bill that doesn't get covered. Although plasti dip will remedy that problem. 

Dave, does this same issue happen with flex coat?

[Quillback]

56 minutes ago, dtrs5kprs said:

One thing that has always bugged me about warts is that they are essentially backwards. Eyes should be at the tail. 

Also doesn't seem to matter. I've painted a bunch in the same color and put the eyes in both places. No discernible difference.

Lucky Craft produced those Flat series cranks that had dad claws painted on the lip.  They will catch fish, but those claws on the front ain't right. 

[dtrs5kprs]

2 hours ago, TrophyFishR said:

I agree with you, but clear coating a curved surface on the wart bill can make you go insane. 

Etex always leaves an area around the edge of the bill that doesn't get covered. Although plasti dip will remedy that problem. 

Dave, does this same issue happen with flex coat?

Shouldn't be a problem with the edges. It may pool some in the middle of the lip just like any liquid seeking a lower point.

I clear about 1/4" of the lip on most baits. Have never noticed it not covering the edge. Will see if I can get a pic that shows it.

[Guest]

I didn't mix the FC right. It was cloudy looking with bubbles that never cleared out. Very frustrating might have to use Etex on the bream. I'm supposed to ship them soon 

[dtrs5kprs]

13 hours ago, TrophyFishR said:

I didn't mix the FC right. It was cloudy looking with bubbles that never cleared out. Very frustrating might have to use Etex on the bream. I'm supposed to ship them soon 

Did you use syringes?

It will have bubbles in it while you are brushing it on. Brushing it generally pops most of them. Hitting the cleared bait with a hair dryer should pop most bubbles that don't brush out. Then it kind of does its own thing on the turner.

Make a loop out of a piece of wire to mix it, or break a plastic knife in half. Don't use wood.

If we get done pouring lead I'll mix a little and shoot a pic. Looks kind of like a lighter colored ginger ale, not quite as light as 7up. But bubbly.

[Guest]

I used graduated mixing cups, maybe I mixed it right & didnt know it. Usually I can mix Etex for 5 min straight & get rid of the bubbles. They're very similar top coats, they mix & smell the same.