Making my own swimbaits

[kylebass91]

Im making my own small swimbaits and i have them cut and sanded ready to paint... im wondering what to put on as the clear coat on it thanks guys and just for your information i will post the link to the action of the swimbait but that might be a while...(being 16 with zero machines takes time.....i love hand sanding EVERYTHING ) well thanks for all the help guys and let me know if ur interested in them
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd42 ... ait1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> My first completed one yes crude but it swims great like a good wake bait......im working on another one ill have a pic soon

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd42 ... 0_0353.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> here is my second one in production im trying to make this one a slow sink and in a hitch color tighter wobble...shocker there but havent matched a bill but im sure i will have a good one i still havent got my camera to show the action but im taking the first one to clear lake this week and ill record it there

[Smile_n_Jax]

Check with an automotive paint supplier. There is a product available that just might suit your needs.

Oh, and good for you. I look forward to seeing your baits.

[photon]

Check out http://www.tackleunderground.com/ , and search for "clear coat" or "top coat" tons of info here.


The most popular clear coating is Devcon 2-ton epoxy that you can get at just about any hardware store, walmart, lowes, home depot, orchard suply...you get the idea. It's pretty cheap too....bonus!

Stay away from the 5 minute stuff, it cures too fast.

Like most, I mix it up real good, use a small brush, and apply it as about as thin as I can. be aware that you need to keep the bait rotating for about 30min after it is first appied, otherwise it will run a bit.

It does go on thick though, and will effect the weight of your bait......potentially to the point of turning a floater in to a slow sinker. If that is a concern to you, then I suggest testing it on some samples.

It can be thinned out using denatured alcohol for a lighter finish, so I've read, but I've not tried it on hardbaits. I have tried it on plaster molds for handpoured worms, so I know it works there...should work on hardbaits too. search tackleunderground...I'm sure your will find more info than you need.!!

Oh, and watch out.....bait making can become an addiction!!!!! Just ask my family!

[mark poulson]

Kyle,
Stay away from solvent-based paints and finishes, unless you have a respirator or really good ventilation.
I seal with Minwax polyacrylic finish, which I dip and let cry, and prime with Krylon white primer. I hang the baits from the edge of my open garage door when I spray, and have a fan in the back of the garage blowing out, so I don't get overspray and fumes in the garage.
I paint with water-based air brush paints, and topcoat with Envirotex Lite 2 part epoxy. The epoxy has about a ten minute working time, so I can coat half a dozen baits. Thinning it will extend the working time, and make it easier to brush on. Just don't thin it too much. And epoxy adds weight. On a 6' swimbait, it adds 3 grams, so plan for that. It's about 1/8 oz., so I add that much weight to the bait when I'm water testing it before I paint to make sure the bouyancy is the same after I top coat, so I don't change the action.
Good luck and be careful. Fingers and lungs don't grow back, even if you're sixteen.

[Buzzbait]

Check out http://www.tackleunderground.com/ , and search for "clear coat" or "top coat" tons of info here.

Best advice ever. That site if freakin' gold for those of us who are into makin' our own.

Also, if you're getting serious about it you should consider a mini-wood-lathe. At Harbor Freight they are only a little over $100 and you can do a lot with them. I'm considering getting one my self to make poppers and spooks, and maybe some rip baits.

I have to ask, how are you creating hinges for the moving parts of your swim bait? I'd be careful with that cause if the fish gets the end trebble hook your hinge could fail if not beefy enough.

Late.