[Dean McClain]

I never use any solvents directly on the tape, as i would expect it to possibly lift the edges. I do take an alcohol damped cloth, however and carefully give the foil a wipe before a coating of Createx clear or Parma Fascoat, after which I heat-set thoroughly and then paint.

I also use the 3-M spray adhesive when using plain foils or mylar.

Dean

[76gator]

So does everyone put some form of filler or epoxy on after the initial foiling. The few I have done without doing this I was never able to blend out the edges of the foil without having a definite ridge. The last couple I did were rattle traps and I didn't care about the extra layers of epoxy and they came out sweet.

[captsully18]

The ones I have done, after I have applied the foil I coated with Etex and then painted the back and belly. This seems to add a lot of depth to the finish.

David

[Palmetto Balsa]

I was wondering the same things as Gator. Wood sealer, a thin layer of adhesive and foil, a coat of epoxy, paint then a topcoat of epoxy. While having beautiful results, it seems like it might diminish the action and make a heavy, thick outer shell on the bait.
The other thing I am curious about is how well does the epoxy bond to the foil on that first coat? When I used epoxy I would mixed it on a piece of foil or plastic. After it would cure it seemed like it was very easy to peel of. Does the epoxy bond to the foil or Mylar, or do you just have to build it up enough to make a plastic type of shell around the foiled bait.
I have some old Wee Baits and they are foiled and still have good action (2 of the older ones do leak around the front eyelet and have a little separation). Does anyone know the process used to make those?

[rofish]

Sometimes I need to paint the back of the lure after foiling, but sometimes not. I use the printing foil technique, using thin paper glued to foil. You can see the ridge there, but I think the fish won't.


http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k5.../foiled002.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k5.../foiled003.jpg

[mark poulson]

rofish,
Nice looking foil jobs. Where'd you get the textured foil?

[BobP]

I haven't had problems with epoxy delaminating from the foils I've tried so far. Does it add a little weight? Yes. I wouldn't refinish a suspending bait with it but the extra weight isn't much on a typical bass bait, maybe .02 oz including a thin epoxy overcoat. I use diluted Devcon under and over the foil before painting. The over is because acrylic paints don't adhere well to most foil.

BTW, got some BriteBak reflective foil tape today. It's half as thick (1 mil or .025mm) than foil duct tape, not as thin as Mylar or silver leaf. It has a "permanent acrylic adhesive" that seems very strong and I think there's a vinyl film over the metal. It's easy to use and lays down well on a crankbait. Reflectivity is slightly better than duct tape but well below Mylar. Comes in silver and gold (brass). It's designed for backing stained glass. One advantage of foil tape to me (besides being darned handy to use) is that the adhesive allows you to emboss a scale pattern with bolt threads on it, something you can't do easily with Mylar or leaf.

[rofish]

Mark,
I have such foil because I drink sour milk and yoghourt. The plastic glasses for such products are covered with a lid made out of such foil. There are many food stuffs which come in packings that include such foil - margarine, cheese, sliced fish in different sauces, etc. One side of the lid is painted with a brand name, expiry date, a happy cow perhaps, but the other can be used to glue the printed image on.

[mark poulson]

rofish,
Thanks for the tip. I can just see myself trying to convince my kids to eat stuff because I want the labels!
Funny thing is, here in the US, there used to be an aluminum foil sold with a scale pattern already stamped into it.
"Kaiser foil is quilted, and it's the only foil that is."
That was there slogan, and they touted how strong their foil was compared to others due to the cross hatched quilting it had.
Now, when I could finally use it, they're gone!

[diemai]

@ rofish

I was also wondering about that texture on your foil , funny , and I eat such stuff almost everyday as well !

But I think , only one label , that I am familiar with , has this texture on its lid , the others are plain , but very rigid compared to household foil .

But obviously only suitable for smaller lures !

Very good idea !

greetz, Dieter