[jcarman]

I am using the devcon 2 ton epoxy for my topcoat and i am running into issues with small "dimples" in it once it dries. I am applying the epoxy with epoxy brushes, heating it to eliminate air bubbles prior to putting the lure in the turner, but I still seem to get a few here and there. It might be dust/ dirt, but I keep my area as clean as possible. Anyone else having these issues? Is there a better topcoat?

[Striperknight]

Oils from your hands can cause epoxy problems as well. Yes there are much better top coats out here. You must search these boards and find the one that works best for you.

[Emmett]

I use 2 Ton also and have not had problems like that since I started using a blow dryer. I place my bait in my turner and coat it real good with the Devcon, then I turn on the turner and run the blow dryer over the baits. It seems to really smooth out the Devcon, and it drys good and smooth and clear.
Hope This helps.

Emmett

[Downriver Tackle]

There lies your problem. Don't heat it after you've applied the Devcon. Let it dwell for a few minutes after you mix it to release air, or heat it a little while mixing. If you take the time to brush out air bubbles, you can avoid all that. I never concern myself with air. My epoxy is full of air after I mix it, but brushing it out elminates it, and I can't remeber the last time I saw an air bubble in a cured lure. also another example of using quick-set epoxies. Think sllloooowwwwww cure.

[BobP]

I think maybe your brush is not wetting out the lure surface properly. Like Striperknight, I mix the heck out of Devcon. Then I use a soft flat artist's brush to smooth it out on the lure. If done properly, brushing gets rid of 99.99% of any bubbles. I don't see any need to heat the lure afterwards. If I see a small bubble, breathing on it usually gets it gone. Some guys use a coarse flux brush to apply epoxy, then throw them away. I think you can do a much better job with a 1/4" artist's brush that has fine bristles which pop bubbles as you brush the lure. Clean it "vigorously" in denatured alcohol, lacquer thinner or acetone and brush it dry on a clean cloth. My current brush has lasted 2 yrs.

[smitty919]

you want the way to fix it let me tell ya cause i had the same problem with bolth devcon and etex.
it was from oils and or dust ......

shoot a clear coat over the plug and let dry befor you epoxy problem solved.......

[jcarman]

Gentlemen-

Thanks for all the tips and help, even got a phone call from a member giving me a few hints. I'll try them all and see how it works! The hell of it is that when I was doing a few lures here and there I had great success, but since my volume is up and I am in more of a hurry these problems have cropped up. Thanks again-

Jeff

[Downriver Tackle]

Originally Posted by BobP

I think maybe your brush is not wetting out the lure surface properly. Like Striperknight, I mix the heck out of Devcon. Then I use a soft flat artist's brush to smooth it out on the lure. If done properly, brushing gets rid of 99.99% of any bubbles. I don't see any need to heat the lure afterwards. If I see a small bubble, breathing on it usually gets it gone. Some guys use a coarse flux brush to apply epoxy, then throw them away. I think you can do a much better job with a 1/4" artist's brush that has fine bristles which pop bubbles as you brush the lure. Clean it "vigorously" in denatured alcohol, lacquer thinner or acetone and brush it dry on a clean cloth. My current brush has lasted 2 yrs.

I disagree. A 1/4" coarse brush is the best for epoxy, unless it's a tiny lure. You need the coarseness to forcefully wet out the lure surface. That's a unique property of epoxy. It levels out rather well. I put my lures on the rack with brush marks all over, and they turn out like glass.

[silverdoctor]

Wow; lots of differences in methods and results. Maybe, there is more than one issue being dealt with. Personally, I use kid's crafts brushes from wallyworld; 30 for $2.50. disposable.

I have tried to clean brushes but they never seem to work properly a second time for me.

When ever I try to rush the work, problems crop up. Sometimes dimples or very small uncovered areas can go undetected by not having good light or rushing my inspections.

[BobP]

Guess this a litteral case of "different strokes/different folks". I never have a problem wetting out the surface with Devcon. I think of it as laying on epoxy rather than forcefully brushing it, and I want to keep the brush loaded so I'm not dragging a "dry" brush over the surface. I use inexpensive square "blending brushes" that cost $8-9 for a 6 pack. They're not really "soft" bristled but they're way softer and finer than a coarse bristle flux brush. End result? - same glass like coating as DT

Guys who do it regularly develop a routine that works for them and it's always different from someone else's. It doesn't matter as long as we get to the same finish.