Custom Baits - Forum

Jigs, Spinnerbaits and Sinkers => Painting and Finishing Lures => Topic started by: cope102 on 11/12/18 08:02 UTC

Title: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: cope102 on 11/12/18 08:02 UTC
I’ve read people use epoxy on Jigs after powder coating. I’m wanting to learn what is best kind or type epoxy to use and do you bake powder then epoxy or what is best method%?
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: ctom on 11/12/18 08:44 UTC
You do not need to coat the powder coated heads. Rack them up so they are not touching and bake at 250 degrees for 20 minutes and when cool the coating will be far harder than any epoxy.
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: Porkrind on 11/12/18 10:03 UTC
https://store.do-itmolds.com/Seal-Coat-_p_807.html

I just recently started using this after coatings and without a doubt has made the finish 10x tougher. I’ve been dragging multiple swinghead jigs around the bottoms and the finishes are still in dang near perfect condition.
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: andrewlamberson on 11/12/18 13:18 UTC
Normally I don't coat my jig heads after I have heat cured them.

But any airbrush painted jigs/spinnerbaits or if I want to add some glitter, I use Seal Coat.

Tip: After resealing the container (I use the larger can so I can dip crankbaits) I put a sandwich plastic bag over the can and wrap a big rubber band around it. Double sealed!
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: cope102 on 11/12/18 16:51 UTC
You do not need to coat the powder coated heads. Rack them up so they are not touching and bake at 250 degrees for 20 minutes and when cool the coating will be far harder than any epoxy.

I already do what you have said but heads seem to chip rather easily that’s why I want to know more about epoxy them.
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: cope102 on 11/12/18 19:11 UTC
https://store.do-itmolds.com/Seal-Coat-_p_807.html

I just recently started using this after coatings and without a doubt has made the finish 10x tougher. I’ve been dragging multiple swinghead jigs around the bottoms and the finishes are still in dang near perfect condition.

You brush it on?
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: Porkrind on 11/12/18 19:31 UTC
You brush it on?
No sir, I just give it a good stir then dip. Forceps makes it an easy task to dip then flip them to dry on the drying rack I made. I used to think baking powder paint coating was good enough but after this simple step it’s all I do now. They literally dry within a few hours. The coating is flexible which is why it can take such a beating.
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: cope102 on 11/12/18 19:38 UTC
No sir, I just give it a good stir then dip. Forceps makes it an easy task to dip then flip them to dry on the drying rack I made. I used to think baking powder paint coating was good enough but after this simple step it’s all I do now. They literally dry within a few hours. The coating is flexible which is why it can take such a beating.

So, you powder then bake then dip in coating? I appreciate the help!
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: andrewlamberson on 11/12/18 20:04 UTC
Either works fine.
When I dip I mount the jig straight up/hook down so any excess runs down the shank and is easily rubbed off with my fingernail.

Or I put them on my turner.

Using a cheap Walmart art brush also works well and keeps the coat light. I use a brush on all my spinnerbaits because you can't dip them!
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: Porkrind on 11/12/18 22:56 UTC
So, you powder then bake then dip in coating? I appreciate the help!
No problem man.
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: cope102 on 11/17/18 00:17 UTC
Thank you for the help guys greatly appreciated!
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: Lamar on 11/17/18 06:51 UTC
  In my opinion there is no need to epoxy a jig head after powder coating and baking. Unless maybe you add eyes to it and then I just coat over the eyes with finger nail polish. The only thing that will chip that is rocks and if you fish rocks all day and are lucky enough to still have that jig at the end of the day you may see a little wear. But that's all. I have found over the years that a worn jig will catch more fish. Maybe because it looks wounded. I do respect the guys that want to make a jig that will last forever even though they won't.
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: cope102 on 11/17/18 22:04 UTC
  In my opinion there is no need to epoxy a jig head after powder coating and baking. Unless maybe you add eyes to it and then I just coat over the eyes with finger nail polish. The only thing that will chip that is rocks and if you fish rocks all day and are lucky enough to still have that jig at the end of the day you may see a little wear. But that's all. I have found over the years that a worn jig will catch more fish. Maybe because it looks wounded. I do respect the guys that want to make a jig that will last forever even though they won't.

That is my issue is that i fish my own jigs and hit one rock and paint chips off... I could understand after hitting rocks quite a bit or few times but one time.. that is why I am trying to learn to make them better... 
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: Lamar on 11/18/18 06:59 UTC
  I bake mine at 300 for 30 minutes. And they are hard to chip
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: Porkrind on 11/20/18 00:10 UTC
It really boils down to each person. I feel it’s completely worth the extra step and won’t go back while I can understand others who don’t care. Regardless of how good the powder paints are cured in my experience they just don’t hold up in the waters I fish and I might as well just keep the heads bare if I don’t seal coat them. Not that unfinished jig heads don’t work though!  ;)
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: Justin9j on 11/23/18 08:34 UTC
D2 epoxy works well. I agree with most I don’t worry about it. 
You using a fluid bed? Makes the powder thinner on your jig head and makes it harder to chip
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: cope102 on 12/02/18 09:42 UTC
D2 epoxy works well. I agree with most I don’t worry about it. 
You using a fluid bed? Makes the powder thinner on your jig head and makes it harder to chip

Yes I use fluid bed and they still seem to chip. Fixing to try out the epoxy and see how it goes.
Title: Re: Epoxy with jigs
Post by: Bucho on 12/02/18 17:32 UTC
I find epoxy based powder coating to last significantly longer than polyester. The good stuff from Pro Tec is worth the money. Extra seal is nice but my jigs usually won`t get old enough to lose their paint. When I went to business I tried epoxy and reached a near-indestructable level but I found it too much effort for commercial application. That being said, If you´re the kind of guy that spends 20min on an extra nice jig for an environment that won`t snag too much- why not?  8)
   
Proper cleaning in alcohol helps, too, unless you wear gloves. You don´t want any fat on the surfaces, not even fingerprints.