Help with re-painting old wooden lures

[Laurentino]

Gentlemen, I have a number of old wooden Bomber lures that have serious problems with their condition, particularly with paint loss. In the past I have had excellent success using these baits but now the decent ones are becoming collectable. I would like to refurbish some clunkers. Now comes my problem. I do not have any knowledge or experience doing this type work. I see the beautiful work that members of this board are doing painting there new creations and I'm thinking I could at least make these old lures look better than they do now! So... where do I find information about how to do this? I need to know techniques for removing the remaining old paint and for applying new paint. I also need to know what kind of equipment is required to do this. Thanks very much!

[Guest whittler]

With most old wooden lures it is better to strip the paint and start with bare wood. One of the problems with older baits is the wood was not sealed very well and once the paint or top-coat was damaged the wood absorbed water making the paint peel.

The two methods I use to remove old paint is a heat gun, my favorite, or some type of chemical stripper. Once the paint is removed sand the bait and then seal the bare wood, most commercial sanding sealers work well for this, allow the bait time to absorb the sealer and then allow time for the sealer to dry completly. Now you are ready to prime the bait. Since I do not know what type of equipment you have I'm guessing you will be using some type of rattle can spray paint, which if you are I would advise you use the same brand primer as the paint. As far as paint if you use a solvent based sealer I would use a solvent based paint and if you used a water based sealer use a water based paint, sometimes with certain paints if you mix them you will get a reaction from the paint causing it to bubble or blister.

Those old Bombers are worth all the effort to save them, there are very few "modern " baits that will out fish them. One of my favorites.

[BIG M]

Whittler's method is the proper way to refinsh those baits.  Now I have two faster methods that work but these are not the perfect way to do the job.

1. scuff the baits real good with 100 grit sandpaper then clean, now give the baits 5 dips in a moisture cured urathane and it will take a minimum of 24 hrs to dry the baits in between dips.  then prime with painter's touch sandable primer it's the best IMHO. Now your ready for paint.

2.Scuff the baits as above and coat with devcon 2ton epoxy, you need to turn the baits while the epoxy cures and allow 12 hrs drying time.  Prime and paint.

I have refinished baits all three ways and I will do my #1 method 90% of the time unless the customer wants me to go the long way.

You really want to be using a airbrush to make those baits look really nice.

[Laurentino]

Thanks for the information.  I'm going to give this a try!