[skeeter jones]

I have been try to sort out the difference in the paints. My goal is to find a paint that will shoot through a fine nozzel/needle at low pressure for fine lines. I was going to try lacqure. I have seen that some of you use enamel as well. I have concluded that createx because it is water based and has a heavy pigment wont work well.

I went to the NAPA store today and the guy told me that the paints they mix for automotive applications have acrylic in them and very little lacqure.

I checked out WACO taxidermy paints and noticed their paints are called polytranspar. They come in a solvent base or a waterbase. Polytranspar is some sort of artifical water with a resin as far as I could tell by my research. They have a product for painting scales, they state in the product they use an extender that keeps the paint from drying on the needle as it passes.

Does anyone know the science behind the paints and can explain their pros and cons. I am wondering if there is an extender that can be used to cut down the stickyness of the paint to the neddle, make it slip. It has to slip then stick to the lure.

I found some guys use alchol in their thinner solution because it evaporates fast and allows the paint to stick to the lure.

[barry batchelor]

Paint is made from three components. Pigment, binder, and a liquifier. The binder is any number of things such as latex, enamel, acrilyc, viynl. Certain binders only solidify in solvent and not water. Some solidify in both. From the sounds of your post ,you are looking to slow the dry rate ,evaporation, of the liquifier to prevent it from clogging your needle. Extenders are basically wetting agents and slow down evap. times. One of the best wetting agents that every one has easy access to is detergent. examples are windex, dish soap and a variety of other detergent based products. The best bet in my opinion for you would be to hobby acrilyc thinned with clear windex for your fine lines. There are no magic formulas for keeping paint from clotting up however. When you use hobby acrilycs you will need a good clear coat. Ideallly epoxy. Hope this helps.

[goldenshinner]

im no expert by my 2 cents worth. what I would like to know is how compatible the varrious paints are with the final 2part epoxy clear coat. I have had some nice comercial stuff and home brew lose their pait job and peel. im new to this artform, and would also like more info on painting. ive checked the old forms etc, but there doesnt seem to be one good how to for the beginer. ive airbrushed lures, but nothing serrious. would like to get the right stuff to build some actual fish catching,(ahmm yes prety, people catching) lures. I dont want to spend a grand on a lure im sticking on the wall either. any cheep sources of good usable paint recomendations.

also I have read that enamles, acrylics, acrylic enamles, urathanes, oils, all have very different final characteristics, as far as bonding, and hardness. I believe if my memory is right, the slower setting enamles, are some of the hardest, and the acrylics, are the softest with the lowest bonding strength. .. is there anyone that is well versed in the science of the polymers involved that could straighten me out?

also what is the deal with blending varrious different types.

thanks for any recomendations.

[cherry]

I have used Polytranspar with excellent results. Don't forget to try the shimmers/pearls ,they really give a life like look. The expoxy does not affect the water based version that I have used. The painting schedules are worth the investment.

[RiverMan]

Cherry, I'm curious what you used as a clear coat. I tried polytranspar also and for some reason it didn't react well with etex. I know of others tho that seem to use the stuff just fine. Curious.

jed v.

[dampeoples]

I use Dick Nite over Polytranspar, and have used D2T over it as well

[skeeter jones]

Ok cherry, You use the water base polytranspar. Are you able to get real fine lines with a fine needle. The poly comes in lacqure have you tried it as well.

[rjbass]

If you are having trouble with clogging when trying to do fine lines, try some retarder in your paint. It will stop the paint from drying on the tip and will make it easier to do detail. I also use polytranspar paint from Wasco (water based) and never have a problem. I top coat with Devcon, works fine.

Rod

[BobP]

I rely on stencils for fine lines and sharp edge designs. Freehand? Maybe an airbrush master illustrator can but it requires more than the right equipment and paint, especially since you have to do exactly the same thing twice - once for each side. I've decided that's always going to be beyond my limited talents!

[cherry]

I use Flex Coat Rod wrapping finish to coat the lures. Just make sure that you use equal amounts measured in a disposable measuring cup like the ones they give you for cough medicine. If you don't ,there will be problems in the epoxy drying properly. I also let the lures dry for at least 24 hours before coating. Why ruin a beautiful paint job because we are in a hurry? I have not use the lacquer because I have children and I don't want to take a chance especially when you can get such fine results with the water based paint. I have talked to a friend that uses the lacquer on his taxidermy mounts and he loves it because it dries so fast. I also find that this Flex coat is much easier to work with when it is warm. The stuff comes in plastic bottles and I soak the unopened bottles in hot water. This makes the consistency much easier to work with and spread over the lure. I am still searching for the Holy grail of "fine lines" that you have asked about so I bought an Iwata airbrush.