Painted Eyes?

[barr5150]

Up until now I've only used the glue on 3-D eyes. The cranks I have been using all had a recess for them making it pretty easy. Problem is I just repainted some rapala floaters and without the recess the eyes would stick out way too much. Looks like I need to learn how to piant them. I searched the board and didn't see what I was looking for. Any ideas?

[RayburnGuy]

I use a stencil to paint my eyes. Luckily I have a leather punch that has multiple size punches on it and these are used to punch different size holes in a clear piece of plastic. Then just spray through it with the airbrush. One size for the background and a smaller size for the pupil. The clear plastic makes it easy to see that your putting the eye where you want it. Just wipe the excess paint off the clear plastic between each shot.

Ben

[EdL]

RayburnGuy gives you one good way when using airbrushing baits. Some who use brushes will use different sized nail heads or drill bits (chuck end) and dip into paint and dab on the bait. Then clear coat.

Edited April 4, 2011 by EdL

[nedyarb]

I am very new at this. But this is what I do. I get a white label sticker, paint it whatever color you want the eyes to be. Use a hole punch, and stick it to the lure. Then use a nailhead for the pupil.

[BobP]

I use cotton swabs from Walmart for the eye (they are wound with cotton more tightly than Qtips), and some small daubers I bought from lurepartsonline.com a few year ago for the pupils. But as you see from the posts, lots of things will work.

[barr5150]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I was gonna go with the stickers but I think hand painting them adds something?

[BobP]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I was gonna go with the stickers but I think hand painting them adds something?

I actually prefer painted eyes on many styles of baits rather than the 3D stick-on eyes. Gives the bait a more "traditional" look and I can't tell any difference as far as what the bass think.

[ProP-JunKie]

I actually prefer painted eyes on many styles of baits rather than the 3D stick-on eyes. Gives the bait a more "traditional" look and I can't tell any difference as far as what the bass think.

I totally agree painting is the best. I feel that drill bits are the best way to go as well. You have the option of many sizes and if you want the eyes to pop out just leave more paint on your bit. super easy. here is a bullfrog test I did with just one drill bit and some black paint....

Edited April 11, 2011 by ProP-JunKie

[gunnie3035]

I dont remember his name but the TU member from Europe who makes all the glider baits paints some really cool eyes using the stickers. You can watch how he does it on You Tube. I tried it on a pike bait and it works.

[stratos201]

Im with Bob, I use cotton swaps as well and it works great. You can trim the cotton off or leave it all on to make different sizes. Super easy!!!!

[crankpaint]

i made some from a slick50 sticker i got with some oil had 2 diff size hole punchs a reg size and a small size used the reg. size one for the outter size stuck it on with super glue,punched out a black spot from the letters on the sticker with the small punch applyed on top of the first spot and had two eyes that look like store bought

[bassguy]

In the past, I've used a brand new pencil with the eraser. It's the perfect size for the baits I build. Once the dot is dry, then another pencil eraser I've shaped for the pupil.

[Basstad]

I use different size wooden dowel, they can be shaped as well which can be an advantage.

[ReelAppealLures]

I dont remember his name but the TU member from Europe who makes all the glider baits paints some really cool eyes using the stickers. You can watch how he does it on You Tube. I tried it on a pike bait and it works.

Search for "Solarbaits" on You Tube, he has some good videos for those interested.

For most of my poppers I have a sign writer cut white and black circles out of vinyl... I also get them to add application/transfer tape aswell. On the lures below I use a old air brush needle (fat end) to dot a white dot on the black pupil part of the eye for another dimension/light reflection thingy, helps with catching fishermen.

Edited October 11, 2011 by ReelAppealLures

[bassnbrad]

I came across some baits I painted about 10 or so years ago, back when everything I did was by detail brush or nail polish. When it came time to do the eyes a trick I learned was dab on the base eye color with a brush or q-tip, then while the paint was still wet add a drop in the middle or off center if you wanted the bait looking up or down. The Drop would self level in the wet base giving it a 3d look, then once it dried the eye would stand up slightly off the bait giving it the same contour as the stick on eyes or a little less. You have to play with it a little to find the right size dabs and drops and consistency for the paint, but once you figure it out it's quite easy.

Tight Lines, bb

[crankpaint]

I dont remember his name but the TU member from Europe who makes all the glider baits paints some really cool eyes using the stickers. You can watch how he does it on You Tube. I tried it on a pike bait and it works.

gos under the name solorbaits on here

[Big Bass Man]

I dont remember his name but the TU member from Europe who makes all the glider baits paints some really cool eyes using the stickers. You can watch how he does it on You Tube. I tried it on a pike bait and it works.

Here you go!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/SolarBaits#p/u/8/R9wm2zMURiU

[mark poulson]

I use different size wooden dowel, they can be shaped as well which can be an advantage.

That's a smart idea.

Plus you can do the eyeball on one end, and the pupil on the other, so one dowel only for each eye size.

[Basstad]

G'day Mark,

You can have different sizes ready to suit the lure size. In Oz I make lures from 30mm - 200mm for the different species I fish for, so it makes it easier to adjust for each lure.

Cheers Mark.

[fishnart]

I use the q tip method, they also have "Dot" painters at some hobby stores. Sometimes after I use the qtip I actually use a tiny paint brush to detail my eyes. And, sometimes I just paint them on like the attached pic. I'll post another pic of my detailed eyes.

[fishnart]

These pics belong to the post above, I also use a two part epoxy that I use for taxidermy and make eyes and paint them with the above mentioned ways like in the bluegills here.

[saltshaker]

These pics belong to the post above, I also use a two part epoxy that I use for taxidermy and make eyes and paint them with the above mentioned ways like in the bluegills here.

Purdy baits.

[fishnart]

Thank you

[Big Bass Man]

I use an artist brush for my painted eyes. Once the brush is wore out from applying epoxy, I pull the metal end off, with brush attached. It has a perfect round end for the eye, just flip over to the skinny end for the pupil. Sort of the same as a wooden dowel, but already shaped.