Lure painting questions

[Scorcher214]

I never done this before and i was wondering how you paint a lure without an airbrush? just some regular paint from the craft store? Also, when im done shaping the lure how do i seal it? Lastly, I bought some devcon 2 ton 2part epoxy. Do i just mix it in a bowl and paint it on the lure, let dry and bam im done?

[BIG M]

Very early on I painted some baits with a regular brush and they were ugly.   To answer your question, yes craft paint and a brush will work.   Seal the bait first with either thinned epoxy or a couple of coats of super glue.   Once painted coat with devcon and hang by the nose then turn the bait and hang by the tail after about 5 min.   Keep doing that for 20-25 min.

[islandbass]

You can use regular paint brushes. This is what I used in the beginning and still use now.  I have a super cheap Harbor Freight air brush and it is only good for general painting and cannot do fine touch work.

As for paints, you can get water based acrylic paints at any craft store and even in the crafts section at Walmart.

Also, make sure you have the 30 minute dev con. The more common 5 minute might not give you enough time to coat the bait.  I use a dixie plate to mix my epoxy so I can toss it in the trash when I'm done. Please follow to a "T" the instructions on mixing and do your best to ensure that you use equal amounts of both. If you don't the epoxy might not cure.

Lastly, heed Big M's advice too. That is a very important step after the epoxy has been applied.

If this is your absolute first bait to make, you might want to consider a popper or propeller bait first. You can go balls  out with a crankbait but they are a bit more challenging (and fun) to make.

Warning! Lure making is as addictive as fishing and a new monkey within you might awaken. ;D

[DBatey]

I have seen some really good work before with spray paint, a lot of the secret to that is using stencils, and learning to control the spray. You can still use Devcon 2 ton epoxy for the topcoat (must have a drying wheel, or at least mimic one by hand)

[baluga]

Sharpie the coat w/ devcon 30 minute epoxy

From this Salty Chrome

To this Perch Chrome

Thrown to this water

equals

Have a nice day

[bmadd]

Nice! Stuff, bake and give me directions to dinner 

I have done some re-paints with spray cans. It's really hard to control your spray flow but you can make some decent looking baits. I use sharpies for my detail work.