Lipz Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 Sorry guys, I've been a 'lurker' for quiet some time here, and low and behold, my first post is about one of the top repeated subjects. Sorry. At least I searched the forum for the subject with only one result that offered no information. Does anyone use, or have previously used "Klear Kote" for topcoating plastic lures? If so, how does it perform versus D2 and other topcoats? Drying time, durability, etc. I know that it's been used for years on various tables, clocks and such, and is known to be clear, hard, and scratch resistent. Economically priced at $86 shipped for 2 gallons (.33¢ / ounce). http://www.creativewholesale.com/ProductDetail/tabid/174/ProductID/1290/Default.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 (edited) I've never used it or read of anyone using it on TU. It appears to be a "bar top" epoxy, so should be similar to Envirotex Lite epoxy which is sold in pint bottles at craft stores. You should know that bar top aka decoupage epoxies usually contain solvent which makes the epoxy flow out better on a flat surface but also slows the cure time down considerably and requires you to rotate a lure for several hours after application, compared to about 1 hour rotation for glue type epoxies (e.g. Devcon Two Ton, etc). It may require 2 or more coats to acquire the same thickness as a glue type epoxy. I'd also be concerned about buying any epoxy in a large volume for use on crankbaits. The hardener can degrade in about a year or so, causing problems with curing and yellowing of the finish. Bottom line for me is that I'd want to test a small quantity of any epoxy before springing for gallons. Edited December 16, 2015 by BobP 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodtimesfishing Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 x2 on large amounts of epoxy unless you know you will be using that much in a short time. I wish they would put a manufactured or packaged date on the packages so that you know how old the epoxy is. I always try and find the clearest, least yellow(fresh) packages the store has. I believe it does make a difference. When the hardener starts getting more yellow colored it does not seem to work quite the same. Just my 2cents Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickadoll Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 You guys should try Wolfcreek Lure Epoxy. It is much better than Envirotex lite. Less harmful for your health, easier to get rid of bubbles and better UV protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Mullett Posted December 17, 2015 Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 Can Wolfcreek Lure Epoxy be purchased in the US? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted December 17, 2015 Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 (edited) duplication Edited December 17, 2015 by mark poulson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted December 17, 2015 Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 Fish Pirate, a TU member and commercial lure maker, says Klear Kote is the epoxy most commercial/mass produces of lures use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass100 Posted December 17, 2015 Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 I have not used it but it does say in the directions that it is not fully cured for 14 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lipz Posted December 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 I have not used it but it does say in the directions that it is not fully cured for 14 days.I think to FULLY cure, that's somewhat true for most all 2-part epoxies. Some say maximum "bond" at 24hrs, but to be fully cured it takes several days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass100 Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 14 days is a very long time. Etex is 3 days, D2T is 7 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 Full cure is however long it takes for all chemical reaction between the resin and hardener to cease. But it is not a linear reaction, most occurring in the first 24 hrs or less of the cure process. If your epoxy is 95% cured in 24 hrs, it may take many days for that final 5% to take place. Practically, I don't hesitate to fish a lure topcoated with Devcon the following day and have never had any problem doing that. I might give a lure coated with ETEX an extra day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted December 19, 2015 Report Share Posted December 19, 2015 Concrete reaches it's designed strength in one to three days, depending on the mix specs. Specialty mixes can reach it much more quickly, but it makes placement of large amounts of concrete impractical at that curing rate. However, it doesn't cure out completely for 100 years+-, at which time it begins to decompose. That's probably why it's not a very good material for lure making. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
