E-tex/Dick Nites/Flex Coat?

[Fishwhittler]

Has anyone used all three? If so, what are the respective advantages/disadvantages of each of these? I use Flex Coat but I'm thinking about trying E-tex or maybe Dick Nites (when DN is available again). I noticed that you can get E-tex for cheaper than Flex Coat which is one reason I'd like to try it, but if Flex Coat is better (tougher, more user friendly, etc.) then I'll stick with it.

Thanks in advance

Ben

[bnwcrankin]

I cant say I've used the other's but I love DN. Can't believe he's having the trouble that he is! I could never get the brushing down, so I started dipping. Which worked great. Only problem with dipping is not getting one drop after you dip back into the batch. The whole batch will harden on you if you do. The other method took a lot of practice but the result's are great. I started thinning and spraying. Putting a light coat first, then heavier and heavier. About 4- 6 coat's total. Dry in a day, but super hard in 3 or 4. That's my 2cent's on DN's..

[wickyman]

I haven't tried DN's, but I have tried flex coat, and e-tex.  I personally like flex the best, it's simpler to use, and it gives the best results. 

[Fishwhittler]

  Quote

I haven't tried DN's, but I have tried flex coat, and e-tex. I personally like flex the best, it's simpler to use, and it gives the best results.

What do you mean?

[whittler]

Ben, have tried all three and untold others looking for that perfect topcoat, I do not think it exists.

E-tex and Flexcoat, at least for me, are very similar both in application and final finish. I use E-tex the most because it is available locally. The post you put on a couple weeks ago by Fatfingers is the bible for using either product.

The problem I had with DN was with storage and waste, I liked the finished product. Will probablly be getting another quart along with some bloxygen/argon gas and try it again. I have not tried spraying it but Barry's baits look great so that might be another option.

[Fishwhittler]

idlov2fish, I'm not looking for the "perfect" topcoat but if E-tex is cheaper than Flex Coat and gives the same results than I may as well use E-tex.

Does E-tex turn yellow over time? Flex Coat Ultra V doesn't yellow (or if it does, it takes a very long time) and I don't want to spend money on epoxy only to have it turn yellow in a few days/weeks.

Thanks

Ben

[whittler]

Ben, I have some baits that are three years old that I fish with and no problem with it turning yellow.

When I ordered Flexcoat UV it was about the smallest amount you can purchase for testing and I really can't tell much difference between E-tex and Flexcoat, would not hesitate to use either on baits.

Make you a heck of a deal on some Target, its great stuff if your refinishing a coffee table.

[bnwcrankin]

  Quote

Ben, I have some baits that are three years old that I fish with and no problem with it turning yellow.

When I ordered Flexcoat UV it was about the smallest amount you can purchase for testing and I really can't tell much difference between E-tex and Flexcoat, would not hesitate to use either on baits.

Make you a heck of a deal on some Target, its great stuff if your refinishing a coffee table.

^^^ ;D ;D.. Has anyone talked to Dick to see if he's found another clearcoat yet? I tryed some etex I got from hobby lobby. I mixed equal amount's in a cup, poured that into another cup and mixed, Love the way it went on! But when dry it was soft. Not sticky or anything, but I could dig my fingernail into it. I'm sure it's something I did wrong because so many people use it, but I haven't gave it another try yet.. Marty has got me really wanting to try the ultra V, just because I'm jealous of how good all his bait's look... 

[whittler]

Barry, E-tex does not get as hard as Devcon and can be dented with a fingernail but that is not a bad thing. E-tex will stand up to some hard hits in rocks better that Devcon because it is not  as brittle. On a light crankbait it does not make much difference but on a 2oz. or so swimbait if you hit a rock or hard object on the cast it can crack. I usually apply 2 or 3 coats (E-tex) with about 6 to 8hrs between then about 3 days cure time. I think you will find Flexcoat very similar, at least I can't tell much difference between them.

[ToledoEF]

I may try this flex coat, Janns carries it and I live 5 minutes from there!

[reddawn]

DN= superior toughness

Flex Coat= easiest application

ETEX= at least as easy and more readily available

I use Devcon2t most of the time, seems like most of my baits end up in the trees or hung in the rocks and docks!

[CJ]

When ya'll say etex, are ya'll talking about etech lite? If so, it will yellow after time.

I've been away from painting lures for sometime but I'm getting back into it this winter. I'm gonna have to check out the flex coat. I used Devcon but oticed my Wal-Mart no longer carries it. Lock Tite is what they had ad it don't look clear.

[bnwcrankin]

I get the bigger bottle's of devcon from here! Great deal and they will do quite a few baits...   http://www.texaswoodcarvers.com/Tool_Catalog/Adhesives.htm#Epoxy Glue

[BobP]

I've seen Etex (aka Envirotex Lite) coated baits to die for in terms of clarity and depth of finish and the makers say they stay clear (unyellowed) for a long time.  Same deal with Devcon Two Ton epoxy.  Most epoxy will yellow at least slightly over time as it accumulates UV light exposure.  You can buy epoxy with UV retarder but it costs at least twice as much as 'regular'.  There are other significant contributors to yellowing - failure to measure accurately and mix thoroughly, and occasionally buying epoxy that has been 'on the shelf' for too long before use.  In my experience, not enough mixing is most often the culprit.  Done right, Etex or Devcon will show minimal if any yellowing on a bass bait over the course of several years fishing.  How you store your baits can shorten or extend that.  Hang any bait on the rear view mirror of your truck over the summer and it will probably be a nice shade of yellow by fall.

[whittler]

"Amen", Bobp

[anniewood]

has anyone tried automotive clear coat ?

[BobP]

I haven't tried auto clearcoat but some custom builders use it with very good results. When checking it out, I found two problem areas: the most durable auto clears are "high solids" two part clears. That means they require mixing a catalyst into the clear before spraying and reducing it with solvents for spraying. When mixed, it has a limited pot life (a few hours). Second, the stuff is toxic. You need to wear a rated respirator or airbrush it in a booth with a proper exhaust and filter system. That's why auto painters work in purpose-built booths wearing Tyvek body suits and full face respirators.

[Jim45498]

I have used D2, DN and Etex.

I had trouble with bubbles in Etex so very seldom use it because of the bubbles.

The D2 works great for me

The DN is my favorite. I use Bloxygen to help keep it from setting up in can.

[Stringjam]

  Quote

has anyone tried automotive clear coat ?

What Bob noted is correct.  The best auto clears are two-part and contain isocyanates - very nasty buggars that you need to protect yourself from. 

I spray it and have a good venting system, but I also wear long gloves and a full-face respirator.

Other than that, I find that finishing with auto clear is pretty easy.  I use Flex-Coat syringes to mix small quantities at a time.  The clear I use is 2:1 and doesn't need to be reduced (I spray it through a .5mm Iwata Revolution).   

I can mix just enough clear to spray 3 or 4 coats on one bait if needed.

The flash time between coats is 15-20 min. so it takes about an hour for the entire process.  The clear dries perfect and clear (and will stay clear) without any edge thinning, and also doesn't require lure rotation.

I don't really recommend it unless specifically asked, because it is some nasty stuff, and invariably somebody (perhaps not here ) will jump down my throat for suggesting it, but I'm just relating my experience with it.   

Use at your own risk.   ;D

   

[Boone12]

John ,I'll Second the "Amen" from BobP

Boone

[bnwcrankin]

I use it on some baits. I use a mini touch up gun for mine. I also wear the respirator. I built a rack to hold my bait's and when I'm ready to spray I take the rack outside and spray. The stuff is super nasty and very hazardous so be careful with it... 

[crankster76]

for the small time crank builder, devcon is hard to beat, towerhobbies.com carries all you need...