Where To Find The Best Lure Blanks And Tips For Painting Lures

[WalleyeAndy]

I want to get started in painting my own lures. I can't wait to get started and I know there is so much information I need to know first. I am hoping there is a professional out there that remembers what it was like when they first started out. I am asking for any advice, and any advice what so ever is going to be welcomed and greatly appreciated.

 

Items I have:

   Air Brush:  Iwata Eclipse HP-CS and a cheap airbrush set from harbor fright. The Harbor fright set came with an air compressor and everything i need (hopefully). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

    Q) Does anyone recommend a different air compressor? If so, what kind and why (other than the fact that it's harbor fright and will probably take a poop the day after the warranty) 

 

   Paint: I got a bunch of the Createx colors and a lot of the Wicked colors. Pearls, transparent, opaque in some, and some detail paints. Any suggestions in this area is greatly appreciated!

 

    Q) Where is the cheapest place to get paint, especially the ones I will use the most like white for base paint and black cover. What brand, place, price, and website or store name would be amazing.

 

   Lures: The lures that I do have are not blanks. They are lures that I had purchased from Cabelas and most of them are still in the boxes. I want to paint mostly Rapala stuff because that's what I have the most of. I want to paint Rippin' Raps, Husky Jerks, Jigging Shad Raps, Shad Raps, and maybe some DT stuff later. I also want to paint Storm baits like the Smash Shads and the thundersticks (deep and original). I really want to start painting Smithwick Rouges as well. but don't have any of those. 

 

   Q) For stock (original ligit lures) lures that are painted, what is your step by step to painting them? Do you sand them then apply base coat, or do you just apply base right over the painted lure? 

 

   Q) What tape do you use to tape off your bills and why? Price and place/website, thank you.

 

   Q) What kind of clear coat do you use? Do you just apoxy it with a brush? How do you finish your lures?

 

   Q) Do you make your own Stencils? If not, where do you get them? If so, How?

 

 

 

 

This is the big Q) Where do I go to get GOOD blanks? I of course want the real deal but will settle for the next best thing as long as they swim and look identical to the lures mentioned above. Please and thank you.

    

 

[SW Lures]

My answers and opinions,

1) compressor, what do you need? Does it matter how quiet that it need to be? You do need a reserve of air to continually paint.

2) paint, TU has a sponsor that has very good prices. I buy from Jannsnet at times. I use wicked now, tuning out createx brand. Auto Air for a sealer/primer.

3) blanks, again TU has sponsors. Jannsnet has some Dakotalakes has them. It is a preference to each person in my opinion. But others will give you some other good places. Actually some have their own blanks. I'm going to get with one and get some from him soon. There is a lot wrote about brand name blanks and knock offs and can be found by a search. I am now make my own blanks (wood). I find it more challenging although I still paint plastics.

4) taping bills, I have in the past, just put tap across (perpendicular to the) nose of the bait. Now I take time to wrap the bait.

5) clear coat, I'm switching to another coating. I wanted to get with Ben before I do. So I'm neutral about this for the time being.

6) stencils, Yes indeed, I enjoy making them, whether the stencil is a half profile type or a lay in place type.

It's the challenge of being a good craftsman and artist for me. It's also a hobby at this time, making cranks. However I enjoy doing them.

Take Care,

Dale

Edited April 28, 2016 by DaleSW

[Bois d'Arc]

  Iwata airbrushes are hard to beat...might invest in an extra needle.   Senko makes a model PC1010 compressor that is awesome for airbrushing...and other stuff.  Use the correct thinner with each different brand of paint....Createx use Illustration base....Wicked use High Performance Reducer...they just spray better that way.  Don't spend too much $$ on colors.  There are some good posts on this site with color selection for lure painting...do the search save the $$.  Don't buy cheap blanks...they're cheap...for a reason.  Get a few vendors who do you right and a few blank styles you like to paint and stick with them.  Use the blue painters tape to cover the diving bills on your blanks.  Take the time to tape them up cleanly...looks much better when done right.  Sometimes it helps to stick the tape to your jeans once before putting it on your lure blank...gets some of the glue off.  Lots of opinions on clear coating lures.  Most folks start with epoxy ...Devcon 2 part 30 minute handling time is a good place to begin....search and read up on this subject in order to save yourself infinite amounts of grief.  Lure Layouts sells stencils...lots of stencils...mostly flat...not vacuum formed 1/2 shells.  Making stencils is a whole nuther subject...yes I know nuther isn't a real word...but it fits well.  Search and read up on stencil making, it's a necessary skill for most of us.  If you have questions this is the BEST place to find answers.  Good luck and keep thinking good thoughts.

Edited April 29, 2016 by BoisArc

[cnunn46]

I'm new to this forum as well so I can't give any advice but the fella I bought my stuff on gave me his lot of 1.5 squarebills that he bought from dakotalakestackle.com. They seem to look fine to the eye, I have both silent and rattling versions and I seem to think that I'll like the rattling version better just because it looks like it will cast better due to the one knocker ball bearing inside it. I also have read that dingerbaits.com and preadatorbassbaits.com are pretty good as well and those two are the ones that I just ordered from 2 days ago. Predator also has DT Series baits for $2 a piece I think. Look forward to seeing your work!