[g2072]

I need some tips on painting scales on my crankbaits. I have some material with the holes in it but I need to know how you guys are using it. How are you getting it on the round surfaces and how are you keeping it from moving around. Please use as much detail as possible. thanks

[FishPork]

This should get ya started. From the tutorials.
[ KB ] Scale Patterns Explained

[cheesehead]

There is a tutorial on applying the mesh but the photo's are still awol.
The simplest way to do it is to stretch the mesh over the back of your lure and clamp the loose ends at the belly.

[BobP]

I drape the netting over the lure and fasten at the belly with clothes pins. I like scales on the bait's shoulders, not on the top of the bait, so put a couple of pins at the top too to keep the area I'm going to shoot straight and undistorted. Shoot paint onto the netting, dry it with a hair dryer, do the opposite side, dry again, then peel it off. Then use your airbrush to shade the scale area into the back and put on a solid back coating.

[Lincoya]

Guys,
Here is an old tip passed along to me from Coley. Spray one side of your netting with spray adhesive and let it dry. Then just stick it onto your lure, paint, and remove. You can spray several baits before you have to reapply the adhesive.

Gene

[apb]

Make sure your base coat is completely dry before doing the scales. Light coats with the color doing the scales. I made a scale box that works well.

scalejig.jpg

A little weight in the bottom. Mesh is not real tight on the box. Plug on a stick, pull up against the mesh, light coat of paint, drop plug straight down, flip and do other side. Scales in 5 seconds.

Andrew

[finlander]

another method is attaching wood strips to the edges of the netting, and drape it over the side of the lure. The wood's weight will keep tension on the netting, kepping it tight to the lures' side. Then airbrush away...

[dtrs5kprs]

As passed along by Tim Hughes several years ago, use a weighted netting that you can drop over the bait. I use Water Gremlin Bull-Shot crimp on worm weights to weight the neeting and kep different sizes for rogues, warts, etc.

Shoot your paint as dry as you can when doing scales...lots of psi, low paint flow. Wet paint and netting = mess.

[Hoodaddy]

I've heard of others using an embroidery hoop, which is what I do but it looks like APB might have a good idea with the box. I might have to give this subject a little more thought.

[microtek60]

Yes the embroidery hoop is the best. You can buy them from a craft store for like a buck. I used oval ones