Jig Powder Coating

[Rick Howard]

I may have messed up.  I ordered some parts to make my own jigs, however, I ordered powder paint and jig heads with weed guards already installed.  Are there any methods for powder painting jig heads that already have weed guards?    

[cadman]

Rick,

   There are tubes that you can put over the weedguards, that keeps them from curling when you bake your jigs. Personally, I never liked them, as you don't always get straight weedguards when you're done and with the tubes sitting on the jig, you don't get full coverage. If it were me, I would paint your jigs with a lacquer enamel and call it a day. Powder painted jigs need to be baked (cured) to get that hard finish. I know some people have done the tubes and they work, however the final product looks fair at best when done. However, depending on how picky you want to be, in reality the fish don't care.    Good Luck.

[Rick Howard]

I would like to do a nice job but I am not concerned with perfection.  I meant to order paint for brushing but I brain farted and ordered powder.  I will call the seller to see if my order shipped and If I might be able to change it.

 

My next question is... Where do I get jig heads and weed guards that are separate?  I would like  build these things nearly ground up.  I would rather not go so far as casting my own though.  

[Molay1292]

You can always just remove the existing weed guards, they pull out easily with a pair of pliers.  Order yourself some tefelon pins, powder paint as normal and glue in new weed guards.  Just depends on how nice a job you want to do.

[cadman]

I would like to do a nice job but I am not concerned with perfection.  I meant to order paint for brushing but I brain farted and ordered powder.  I will call the seller to see if my order shipped and If I might be able to change it.

 

My next question is... Where do I get jig heads and weed guards that are separate?  I would like  build these things nearly ground up.  I would rather not go so far as casting my own though.  

As far as removing the weedguards, there are two ways you can buy jigs with weedguards. Jigs can have their weedguards poured in, or they can be glued in. If they are poured in place, then the weedguards usually will melt into the lead, and it is impossible to salvage the jig, because as you start pulling the weedguard out, strands will get stuck inside. Now if they are glued in, then many times you can easily pull out the weedguards and they will come out whole, this would be your best case scenario. How many jigs do you have to do?

[Rick Howard]

62 jigs lol.  I bought them from Barlow Tackle.  50 Weedless arkies and 12 bullets.  Do we know if those are glued or cast in?  

[Molay1292]

62 jigs lol.  I bought them from Barlow Tackle.  50 Weedless arkies and 12 bullets.  Do we know if those are glued or cast in?  

Hopefully someone can answer that question for you, if not you may have to sacrifice one and let us all know. 

[cadman]

62 jigs lol.  I bought them from Barlow Tackle.  50 Weedless arkies and 12 bullets.  Do we know if those are glued or cast in?  

 

Rick,

   You can do several things. Take a look at the jig to see if there is any glue around the weedguard hole. If there is, then you can probably pull the weedguard out. Secondly, take a pair of pliers and just pull the weedguard out to see if it comes out. You may damage the jig, but you will know right away if the weedguard is cast in place or glued in.

I am going to bet that they are cast in place, reason being is that gluing weedguards is a slow process.

 

Finally you can call Barlows and ask them or go on TackleUnderground.com and post a question for Jon Barlow. He is the owner of Barlows and posts there quite often. He will answer your question.

 

Here is the link. I am there as many other tackle makers as well that can help you out.

 

http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/forum/21-wire-baits/

 

if you need more help PM me.

[Rick Howard]

Great info.  Thank you Cadman!

[Rick Howard]

The weed guards appear to be cast in as cadman predicted.  

[Molay1292]

I have wrapped the weed guards in tinfoil and heated the heads with out damaging them.  It does not protect them from the heat of the over though.   You may be able  to powder coat the heads with the foil then paint them with a good 2 part epoxy to help keep them from chipping.

[Rick Howard]

Thanks. I will give it a shot.

[Rick Howard]

I have an update here.

While catching up on "walking dead" tonight... I pulled out the jig heads I bought from barlow with the fiber guards preinstalled... By pulling 1-3 fibers at a time I removed them. I reemed the hole with a 1/8" drill bit. New 1/8" fibers fit in good. It's a little tedious but it's what I've got this go around.

[Jaw1]

If you can't remove the weedgaurds on all the jigs try electrical heat shrink. You can buy it at electronic supply houses in rolls or sticks and the inside diameter to match the outside diameter of the weedgaurd. This will protect the gaurd from paint and heat while powder painting, but I would recommend skipping the baking process with this batch and just fish them uncured.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I have an update here.

While catching up on "walking dead" tonight... I pulled out the jig heads I bought from barlow with the fiber guards preinstalled... By pulling 1-3 fibers at a time I removed them. I reemed the hole with a 1/8" drill bit. New 1/8" fibers fit in good. It's a little tedious but it's what I've got this go around.

 

Thats pretty much what I was going to suggest.  A pair of pliers will typically rip the whole thing out at once.  But as you found you need to clean the hole with that drill bit.

[Rick Howard]

Thank you.

[Thomas Johnston]

I wrap the weed guard with aluminum foil. Leave it on till after you cure the head and mine stay attached and straight. If you heat it up without wrapping the weed guard the guard spreads out like a fan and does not work