My first cutom lure..

[cib11b]

Graved an old junker lure after I did some yard work today and had a go with my airbrush gun. Tried to get a threadfin type look but not sure if I got exactly what I wanted? but I think it looks good for my first one.

I am going to paint one of my go to cranks (new one) in this color to try at oroville soon.

[BassManDan]

Looks Nice!!

I've been threatening (for a long time) to get into custom painting my own baits, with that, what was the approx. cost for all of the equipment (compressor, gun, etc.)?

Again, very nice.

[cib11b]

I would say around $150 to $200 to start.. But paint lasts forever.

[BassManDan]

Thanks for the info!

Next thing for ya is to get some of the scale netting and get some fancier patterns going on.

[cib11b]

I need to go get some cheap combs at wally or something. I just don't have a lot of spare time these days. I have has the equipment for a while just no time to play around.

[Spookin'Em43]

Looks a lot nicer than what I am customizing right now Nice work for your first!

[mark poulson]

cib11b,
That's a great looking paint job!

If you want to learn more about lure making and painting, go to Tackleunderground.com, and check out both the lures being made, and how they are made and painted.
There is also a source for unpainted plastic cranks, Predator Bass, who is a site sponsor. All of his unpainted baits are less than $2, and they fish really well.
When I repaint a lure, if it has eyes I want to keep, I use a hole punch to cut out round discs of blue painters tape, to mask the eyes before I repaint them. If the eyes are smaller, I just trim the tape with an exacto knife once it's on the lure, using the outside of the eye as a guide. Then I remove the tape, and dip the lure in clear urethane as a top coat.

[some guy]

Best bet is to remove all eyes if you can. If they are painted on eyes you can tape them off, or You can make a little stencil for eyes. I went to a craft store and made eye, fin, gil, craw stenciles very easily. While you are at your craft store, grab some Tule netting. You will be set.

Mark is right about Tackleunderground. A bunch of talented artists on that site that are more than happy to help.

Bass Man Dan - You can get a starter kit with compressor around 200 bucks. The paints dont last very long that come in those kits. I started with one of those kits and upgraded as I went. You are going to want to upgrade to auto paint because of the finish and durablilty of the paint.

I am at the point now where it getting pretty pricey.. lol I just got a new Iwata gun and Iwata compressor and it set me back 6 bones.

i just did a cool baby bass popper the other day and a cool TN shad crank. ill try and post some pics on here with my cell phone.

[some guy]

Oh yeah one more thing. Get or make a little spray booth or everything will be covered in over spray.

[some guy]

I need a cooler camera.. my cell phone sucks. You cant see all the hues in these.

[Spookin'Em43]

Ahh come on guys, why you gotta keep rubbin it in with all the cool picks, i may havta start sanding my lure again and repaint!!

In all seriousness though, those are lookin' great!

[Susp3nc3]

dang john nice...that bottom gold one looks like the megabass version hah...

[some guy]

cool thanks man.. I like a lot of gold in my baby bass, especially in dirty water.

[cib11b]

cool thanks man.. I like a lot of gold in my baby bass, especially in dirty water.

I second the gold comment! Your baits look amazing! I use createx pearl paints.. You use auto paints? What kind of clear do you use?

Thanks for all the good info guys! I will check out those lure blanks sounds like a good idea.
Anyone know of some real good running blanks maybe like a Norman typr lure? I love the deep little N's they run great for me and my fishing style.

[some guy]

I use all House of Kolors Paint, Pearls, Flakes and Candies. They are a little more expensive than your normal paints but im not mass producing them. They are for personal use so I spend the couple extra bucks.

I use a Spraymax 2 part epoxy. Im not doing a ton of baits so i didnt want to have to go out and buy a new gun and compressor just to clear. Its like 20 bucks a rattle can, and you get about 10 baits (crankbaits) a can. Once you crack the can you have to use it within 24 hours so have a bunch of baits ready when its time to clear.

If you need anything call or google Coast Airbrush.. they are hands down the best shop around. They are MASTERS of this game.

[bassenvy]

Once you crack the can you have to use it within 24 hours so have a bunch of baits ready when its time to clear

You can extend the pot life of most catalyzed paints by putting them in a separate fridge or outdoors depending on where you live.


only thing missing on those paint jobs are some teeth marks

[some guy]

they get their maiden voyage this weekend.

ill have to try that next time if I run into issues.. Last time i cracked a can my mom broke her wrist and I had to rush her to ER. I was sitting their in ER going man.. that clear coat is going to waste..

[some guy]

i have hooks with braid tied to them hanging all over my garage with baits hanging.. at night when u walk in my garage you better be careful or you might get hooked!

[some guy]

Thanks for the kind words I still am not happy with my paint jobs.. every time I think i have it down i pick up a matt lures hard gill and start crying. That man is very talented.

[cib11b]

Thanks for the kind words I still am not happy with my paint jobs.. every time I think i have it down i pick up a matt lures hard gill and start crying. That man is very talented.

Well when you do it for a living! I am sure you are good at your job too! The more practice the better they will look, I think your baits are way above average.. Very nice.

[BassManDan]

[quote="Spookin'Em43"]Ahh come on guys, why you gotta keep rubbin it in with all the cool picks, i may havta start sanding my lure again and repaint!!

In all seriousness though, those are lookin' great![/quote]

Yeah man, your "polished turd" topwater is still in my home, come get this thing, it's stinking up the place