New Finish

[.dsaavedra.]

you got that right barry!

and i haven't said exactly what it is because i was asked not to say exactly what it is by the guy who reccomended it to me.

but so far i'm not incredibly impressed with it. the finish is not as hard as i thought it would get, even after 4 days (cure time 72 hrs.)

[islandbass]

Just don't tell me it's proprionate.

[BIG M]

I would say flex coat is closer to e-tex than devcon.   It is a 2 part system but requires at least 2hrs turning time on the wheel and then a full 24 to cure.   I like to use 2 coats but sometimes I'll use 3 coats.   It's a thin finish that does not add the weight of devcon.

I have not tried any of the 1 part rod finishes.   I not a fan of 1 part systems due to the smell.  The is another 2 part system made by WASCO for clear coating mounted fish and I may give that one a try.

D, there are no secrets in lure building.   Somewhere every product has been tried by a lure builder.   This is a crazy addiction and the search for the perfect clear coat is a never ending search.

[RhodyBass]

I would say flex coat is closer to e-tex than devcon. It is a 2 part system but requires at least 2hrs turning time on the wheel and then a full 24 to cure. I like to use 2 coats but sometimes I'll use 3 coats. It's a thin finish that does not add the weight of devcon.

I have not tried any of the 1 part rod finishes. I not a fan of 1 part systems due to the smell. The is another 2 part system made by WASCO for clear coating mounted fish and I may give that one a try.

D, there are no secrets in lure building. Somewhere every product has been tried by a lure builder. This is a crazy addiction and the search for the perfect clear coat is a never ending search.

[cadman]

I would say flex coat is closer to e-tex than devcon. It is a 2 part system but requires at least 2hrs turning time on the wheel and then a full 24 to cure. I like to use 2 coats but sometimes I'll use 3 coats. It's a thin finish that does not add the weight of devcon.

I have not tried any of the 1 part rod finishes. I not a fan of 1 part systems due to the smell. The is another 2 part system made by WASCO for clear coating mounted fish and I may give that one a try.

D, there are no secrets in lure building. Somewhere every product has been tried by a lure builder. This is a crazy addiction and the search for the perfect clear coat is a never ending search.

Big M,

I have a question for you. I have been using D2T forever and I like it . I make a lots of leadhead jigs and spinnerbaits. With the D2T I brush it on, stand the jig up and the D2T self levels, but I sometimes get sag marks. I know about the drying wheel etc. My question is this if I used e-tex, brushed it on and then let it drip down, when it drips will it give an even coat, since it's so thin? I would then put another coat on after the first dries. I don't want to use a drying wheel, because at a couple hundred jigs, I can get a lot done faster my way. Just your thought on this if you don't mind................Thanks for your input. BTW I've never used e-tex before. You can PM me if you like as to not hijack this thread.

[.dsaavedra.]

i hear ya big m!

the guy that recommended this polyurethane to me compared it to e-tex. he mentioned how etex was a "decoupage" epoxy, not a strong adhesive epoxy like devcon. he said this meant that when hit against like a rock or something, it would dent the clear coat, instead of chipping/cracking it, like would happen with devcon.

i've never used etex, so is that what its like? it remains somewhat flexible, unlike devcon which is hard as a rock when fully cured?

[BIG M]

Yes etex has some give to it as does flex coat.    It will crack if you smack a rock hard but it will resist some light smacks.   You can't stick you thumb nail in it after it's cured.

[.dsaavedra.]

ok. thats what this polyurethane is like. except i'm able to put a dent in it with my thumbnail :-/

[RhodyBass]

i hear ya big m!

he said this meant that when hit against like a rock or something, it would dent the clear coat, instead of chipping/cracking it, like would happen with devcon.

i've never used etex, so is that what its like? it remains somewhat flexible, unlike devcon which is hard as a rock when fully cured?

That's funny,the only time i ever had problems with a finish cracking was when i used e tex,not a single problem when i use devcon. :

Nothing i've found holds up to rocks and big toothy salt water fish better than devcon.If your going to test a finish there really is no better place than the ocean during bluefish season.

Most people that have cracking problems are either:

A. Not mixing it correctly

B. using an inferior substrate

C. Not properly preparing the surface

If your looking for something with the same general properties as e tex(ie thinner viscosity) but made specifically for the marine industry try System 3

[.dsaavedra.]

i personally haven't had issues with devcon cracking, thats just what he told me.

i'm going to stick with this polyurethane for a while and see how it holds up. i may just have to try it out on bluefish   ;D

[islandbass]

While we're on the subject of finishes, does any one know what a company like Rapala uses? The coats on their lures does seem to be very durable, even on the balsa lures. I was able to look into a DT 6 that I broke (my fault) and the layers were:

Top Coat (thin)

Paint Job

A very hard white colored shell (maybe this is what gives them their durability

Balsa

Very interesting.  BTW, I am a dev con user and have not yet had an issue with it.

[bnwcrankin]

My favorite thin clearcoat is dick nites. I've dipped it, which work's fine but my favorite is to spray on a couple coat's which gives you a super thin super strong finish. I usually only use it on lipless bait's which have sharp edges. I love d2t but it will chip on sharp edges eventually. DN's really stink's to high heaven and will probably kill you if sniff it too much and you dont use a respirator but if your looking for a thin clear coat you cant beat it. Trick is to let it cure. It's a moisture cure clearcoat and will take up to a week to fully cure. I've used them 2 day's after coating without a problem but the longer you let it sit the harder it gets. Here in FL it dries pretty quick because of this dang amazon humidity!!!  Anyone ever try Glisten PC? I've heard some good thing's about it, think the humidity is too high here for me to use it though..

[.dsaavedra.]

do you ever have problems with Dick Nites setting up in the can? i've read this complaint a lot. on their website, it says they offer samples, i sent them an email a looooong time ago but never got a response.

never heard of Glisten PC, got a link?

[bnwcrankin]

DONT KEEP IT IN THE CAN!!! The trick is keeping the air out as best as you can. I keep mine in salsa jars! They have a fluted neck which allows less air in the jar. I also wrap the lid with aluminum foil with a rubberband around it just for some extra protection. When I get down to about a quarter jar it will start to get hard. Also if your dipping your bait's you have to make sure not to let any drip back into the container. It is kinda fussy but not too hard to figure out. Dick is usually pretty good about returning emails and calls??? Anyway here's your link for the glisten.. http://www.por-outlet.com/shop/product_info.php/products_id/170?osCsid=6cbbcc07a1d308ff3bb698ffb6354d47 . I want someone to try it and let me know how it is...

[whittler]

Barry, sounds like we use a similar storage method for DN, the only thing I do different is use a shot of Bloxygen in the bottle before sealing. I have only been using DN for a few months on a some experimental baits and the jury is still out on the stuff. Beside just using it as an only clear I have tried it over D2T, and E-Tex, plus under both epoxies.

[bnwcrankin]

    If you dont lay it on thick enough (multiple spray coats) it will peel after a few jack's have their way with it. Dipping it goes on thicker and I have a few traps in my box that I did not use for maybe a month after dipping and their just about indestructable. This thread is starting to remind me of my day's on Tackleunderground!! lol.. Do you agree BIGM...lol.. The cleacoat files...!   Fish really dont care too much about how clear the bait is and if they tear it to heck it just mean's your paintjob rocks...!!! Tightlines fellow baitmonkeys...lol

[.dsaavedra.]

yeah this is definitley starting to be like tackle underground lol!

i'm just concerned with the hardness of this polyurethane...i don't like how i can dent it with my fingernail.

[bnwcrankin]

I noticed the same thing with etex. I mixed and transferred to another cup and mixed again and it still felt like if I tried I could peel it off.

[.dsaavedra.]

well guys,

the guy that told the guy that told me (can you follow that?) gave him (and subsequently me) the OK to post about this stuff. the only reason i hadn't said what it was before is because i was asked not to.

but, since he got the OK, here it is

Target Coatings Super-Clear 9000

http://www.targetcoatings.com/super-clear.html

now you guy's can't call me a jerk anymore  

[Steven Ladner]

About time... ;D

What's the result on how well it protects the bait?

[.dsaavedra.]

honestly i haven't had much time to fish with these baits what with school starting up and such.

but so far, one of my bluegill swimbaits has caught 1 bass, fought and lost one bass, and had one bass strike it. topcoat is 100% fine.

I'll update this thread some more once i catch more fish.

but the guy that reccomended this to me has caught a bunch of bass on his baits and the topcoat holds up great for him. both he and the original guy put this coat on baits they sell commercially, and the original guy even uses it on saltwater baits.

[Steven Ladner]

Thanks for the info.

Good to hear your bluegill swimbaits are doing well.

[whittler]

Guys if you really want to know what the latest, Secret Finish is just go to Tackleunderground, Hard bait section and you can read all about the  newest of the secret finishes. It is a topic there about once a week, at least since 2003.

[.dsaavedra.]

Guys if you really want to know what the latest, Secret Finish is just go to Tackleunderground, Hard bait section and you can read all about the newest of the secret finishes. It is a topic there about once a week, at least since 2003.

;D