[jacl]

I have made some swim baits out of recycled maple. The finish looks durable however after a couple of days of fishing it starts to peel off.

I am using Zinnser B-I-N Shellac base with liquitex air brushed and finished with a clear coat of Envirotec.

What am I doing wrong?

[fatfingers]

Did you primer it before painting?

[Dean McClain]

Here is the obvious place to start: Sounds like water is making its way in to the bait somehow. One coat of E-tex is pretty thin, and some spots will be thinner than others, as any epoxy tends to pull away from edges, like the point of the nose on some lures, as it cures. And, if you are using your etex "hot" or right after it is mixed, your problem is compounded, as it will apply even thinner. It is usually best to wait about 10 minutes after thorough mixing to apply the first coat. After the first coat is cured, give the lure an alcohol wipe, and apply a second coat. Make sure also that you're not creating leaks by installing unsealed hardware such as unepoxied screw-eyes into the lure after your topcoat has cured. I always used 2 coats minimum when clear-coating with E-Tex.

[apb]

How did you seal the wood? From your desciption it seems that you skipped this part. If the wood is not sealed, once the clear coat is compromised, water will get in and cause the primer, paint, and clear coat to lift off.

Andrew

[Tally]

think I will see what happens here. last time I got into a sealer / primer deal the post got hot.

[Skeeter]

So are you saying that the clearcoat is peeling off or everything?
Skeeter

[jacl]

Originally Posted by Skeeter

So are you saying that the clearcoat is peeling off or everything?
Skeeter

Everything peels off - right down to the bare wood.

[jacl]

Originally Posted by apb

How did you seal the wood? From your desciption it seems that you skipped this part. If the wood is not sealed, once the clear coat is compromised, water will get in and cause the primer, paint, and clear coat to lift off.

Andrew

You are right, I'm pretty new to this business and did not seal the wood. What am I suppose to use for a sealer?

[jacl]

Originally Posted by Dean McClain

Here is the obvious place to start: Sounds like water is making its way in to the bait somehow. One coat of E-tex is pretty thin, and some spots will be thinner than others, as any epoxy tends to pull away from edges, like the point of the nose on some lures, as it cures. And, if you are using your etex "hot" or right after it is mixed, your problem is compounded, as it will apply even thinner. It is usually best to wait about 10 minutes after thorough mixing to apply the first coat. After the first coat is cured, give the lure an alcohol wipe, and apply a second coat. Make sure also that you're not creating leaks by installing unsealed hardware such as unepoxied screw-eyes into the lure after your topcoat has cured. I always used 2 coats minimum when clear-coating with E-Tex.

Sounds like good advice. Is there something better to use then E-tex?

[jacl]

Isn't the Zinsser the primer? Or do I need a sealer as was also suggested?