KAOS Tackle

When you beg your wife to buy you that sweet (expensive), vintage wooden fly fishing trout net for your birthday and when she gives it to you, you unwrap it, say thanks then whip out the scissors, cut off your new scale stencil and throw the rest in the garbage as you run to the shop to try it out on a lure.

I use only Createx also which are water based. One for safety purposes over laquers (although precautions still need to be taken) and the ease of use. You can use other water based craft paints but be mindful that there intended use is usually to be brushed on. Createx is made for the airbrush. That being said, depending on the createx paint you use will determine how much you want to dilute. I dilute pearls a lot heavier than regular colors and opaque a little more than transparent. Just experiment and youll get the hang of it. Polytranspar makes an excellent airbrush paint and its a taxidermy paint. Try Wasco online for those, they are a little pricier than createx but great paints. You can generally get Createx at any craft/hobby store. Good luck!

I agree with everyone else, I would put my money on operator. Even a cheap airbrush will run smooth if you treat her right. Like was mentioned strip it down and give it a good cleaning, dilute your paint for a smoother flow in the gun, and always run a cleaner (i use windex) through the gun after each color. Keep an eye on the tip of the needle as it will "gunk" up. Careful when you clean it. When you are running cleaning solution through after each color, block the tip so the airflows back through the airbrush and out through the cup then run all cleaner out and let until only air is flowing. You should be painting close to worry free in no time if you do this. just my Caution!!! When you do strip it down to clean, do it carefully and remember how to put it back together. Take apart over a clean cloth or paper towel. NEVER take apart over a sink...sometimes little parts like to jump/fall out and go down the drain quickly. Been there/done that

Matt, you are a master craftsman and deserve every bit of praise for the work you do.

There are numerous, good taixidermy sites on the web with what you need. Google "taxidermy fish blank". I actually looked into this myself and the only drawback/problem I found was that all the ones I looked at had a curve to their bodies and most were one sided detail only. Hard to find a straight one as for the taxidermy guys its not that realistic, they want a blank that exhibits movement.

Those are great and rattle cans to boot! Id love to see what you do with an airbrush in your hands.

Milia, keep at it and before you know it you will be making great things!

I bought a few unpainted, 6" swims off Ebay to tinker with some new patterns. Here is the smallie pattern I came up with.

I know walmart is still carrying some off brand 5 min epoxy but it might be tricky. Lowes might/should have something in the paint section. I dont have enough experience with too many clear coats to be much help...Hazmail? you out there? He would know...

If you have a craft/hobby shop close they usually stock epoxy. D2T or similar at least out here they do.