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Propionate As Topcoat

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I am interested also, as none of the other established top coats are available to me.

The main problem with propionate is the blushing problem, but this is easily overcome. I really want to know whether prop is an acceptable finish for a bass lure. I believe some major companies use it, so it cannot be that bad.

Dave

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I am interested also, as none of the other established top coats are available to me.

The main problem with propionate is the blushing problem, but this is easily overcome. I really want to know whether prop is an acceptable finish for a bass lure. I believe some major companies use it, so it cannot be that bad.

Dave

what is the blushing problem you're talking about?

also, which companies have you heard use it as a topcoat?

i don't think this top coat is compatible with plastic baits because of the acetone, i'm hoping someone has found a way around this. <_<

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Hi

I have used prop as a topcoat on a few occasions. My problem was I use nitro cellulose paints and the prop really had a strange effect on the paint jobs angry.gif and had to be applied very thinly to minimize the effect but once the initial couple of dips had dried it created a protective coat and I was able to dip in a thicker solution and build up a nice coat. The blush is caused by the rapid evaporation of the acetate and is not quite as big a problem with Cellulose (virgin) thinners as this evaporates slower than acetate thinners. It was pretty good with the acrylic paints though and produced a very smooth and durable finish. To get a real thick and shining coat I had to dip 15 to 20 times. I have found also that although it dries real quickly it does actually take some time to attain true hardness and is probably in the region of a week or so before it is truly 'Rock hard'. I dont use it any more for top coating prefering nowadays 2K auto clearcoat and only use it as a sealer for bare wood which I think there is nothing to touch it as a wood sealer.

I have read on here that if the bait is hung in a container containing virgin thinners in the bottom the blush is eliminated as it slows right down the evaporation. I have not done it myself but can imagine that it does help.

Edited by philB
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what is the blushing problem you're talking about?

also, which companies have you heard use it as a topcoat?

i don't think this top coat is compatible with plastic baits because of the acetone, i'm hoping someone has found a way around this. <_<

I have read that Rapala uses this as a top coat . There is a thread about it with a link attached on Surf Talk. Check it out.:D

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Maybe when Rapala first started building baits they topcoated them with propionate. I bought my first Rapala minnow in the early 1970's and still have it. I'm pretty sure the topcoat is not propionate. With the advances in coating chemistry during the intervening 40 years, It's hard for me to believe Rapala doesn't use some form of polyurethane topcoat nowadays.

I use propionate pellets dissolved in acetone for undercoating baits. Works nice but I just think there are tougher topcoats with better clarity than prop. To each his own!

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I use propionate for coating Cedar muskie baits before priming. I did some naturals for show with just propionate and they looked real nice. I did have some blushing when I tried to do it in my garage with the heat on. It was from the high humidity of a Michigan winter floor and the heat drying it out. When done in normal humidity levels I have not had any blushing even when using it for a sealer. I Use automotive two part clear coat for my finish coats as well. I use acetone for the prop instead of Laquer Thinner. If you use it for a sealer you will want a seperate batch for using as a top coat because the color of the prop changes from all he wood soaking and it will have some junk floating in it.,

Edited by FishThanks
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A post on this site had a link to a lure building site that appeared to be the pages of an old book. It stated that Rapala uses balsa and had a proprietary laquer dipping process that saved them from having to sand the lures. The author was stressing that the laquer was vary thin and they dipped multiple times to build up a thick plastic like layer. Im not sure of the age of the article as I cant find it anymore.

Does anyone have any experience with thinning laquer?

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@Sonny,

I can't say if the information you posted is correct or not. The major lure companies and many of the lesser know here in the U.S.A. a century ago were dip priming with white enamel and dip finishing with varnish or lacquer. It wouldn't be of much benefit to thin clear lacquer for finish dipping, unless you just enjoyed doing it.

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oh, so when you dip into lacquer from the can it leaves a thick coat? i don't think this would be too much of a problem for me at least. i like the thick top coat that epoxy provides, surely lacquer can't be thicker than that.

i always thought lacquer was extremely thin though, thinner than water?

are there any other issues besides the application, like yellowing or cracking or durability issues?

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oh, so when you dip into lacquer from the can it leaves a thick coat? i don't think this would be too much of a problem for me at least. i like the thick top coat that epoxy provides, surely lacquer can't be thicker than that.

i always thought lacquer was extremely thin though, thinner than water?

are there any other issues besides the application, like yellowing or cracking or durability issues?

Couldnt you add a bunch of thin top coats with spray lacquer? I use clear lacquer spray in between each coat and prime with white lacquer. I think the lacquer builds depth in between the colors.

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