Another Topcoat Question

[jonister]

        I have some free sliding saltwater poppers that are wooden that need to be top coated. I thought about using e-tex but realized it would dry too thick and take too long because I have no way of using a drying rack since it would just slide freely. I also have these washer like things that I bought from lurepartsonline with an item code of 4046 called "screw eye base eyelets".

 

        I plan on inserting these into my line holes to create a nice smooth edge but don't know what to use to keep the coat thin so that I can still insert these. I have been trying to go for the lure style as shown on Saltys Tackle (google it), I originally saw the idea on their lures where you have a swivel where the belly eyelet would go and then wire straight through the middle of the lure. basically what im asking is what topcoats would work for this application?

 

like this picture if it shows it

Edited April 17, 2014 by jonister

[HAWGFAN]

Since a thin coat is very important to you, I'm guessing that MCU is going to be your best option.  Dick Nite (I forget which one) and some of the concrete sealers (GST and Eagle Supreme I believe) seem to be preferred.  I'm more of Devcon 2ton fan, and don't mind the thickness, especially on my balsa baits. Others on here have lots of experience top coating lures in these.  A quick search in the hard baits section should yield tons of information on the topic.  I seal with Prop, so I do know the tall thin olive jars are very handy containers for whatever you choose.  

[DaveG]

You could still use etex, apply a thin coat and attach a loop of wire to each end of the lure, turn the lure from end to end every 10 mins for a couple of hours in a warm room 70-80 degrees, that should be long enough to then leave over night, job done.

[BobP]

For a saltwater lure, I'd use regular Devcon Two Ton epoxy, which goes on pretty thick.  You need a topcoat tough and thick enough to ward off toothy critters.  Devcon, or other brands of  pure (no solvent) 30 minute epoxies are only 1.1 times as dense as water so it doesn't really reduce the floatation that much, especially on a larger bait.  Flexcoat and Nu Lustre are 2 other brands that are similar but also offer versions that contain a UV inhibitor, if that's important to you.   Epoxy without UV inhibitor will yellow slightly from UV exposure and that's more apparent on a white lure.

 

Devcon Two Ton becomes sag-free in about an hour, during which you need to turn the bait 5-10 times (more at first, less later in the hour).  I agree that Dick Nite S81 moisture cured urethane is a great topcoat but a single coat is pretty thin and won't ward off tooth abuse for long, and it takes experience to apply multiple coats without it bubbling.

 

Solarez UV cured gloss polyester resin will also work if a less glossy topcoat is OK with you.  Brush it on, rotate it for a few minutes to let it level out, then set it outside in the sun for 15-20 mins and it's ready to fish.

[jonister]

I like the UV idea. I think ill try some spray paint clear coat. I have used it before and I think it will work. if it doesn't, no harm done.