Painting jig heads with nail polish

[bassguytom]

Anyone ever use nail polish to paint jig heads? Just wanted to see if this is common or not. Don't really want to get into powder paint just looking for somthng quick and easy. 

[Scott F]

I've never used nail polish but I've painted jigs several different ways and the easiest, quickest, cleanest and best looking results I've had, came from powder paints. This short video shows how easy it is.

 

[jonnyblazex]

  Nail polish would not be durable at all.  Whats wrong with using a regular lead colored head anyways?  They seem to catch fish just the same as a fancy painted head.  On a couple rare occasions, I used a bass jig so long that I wore all the paint off, skirt got mangled, and probly on at least its 12th plastic trailer.  The thing still caught fish like crazy, so Im not sure if it has to look really pretty or not. 

[FloridaFishinFool]

Nail polish does not have good adhesion properties. It would crack and flake off in no time.

[Catt]

Nail polish, modeling paint, clear lacquer with glitter on jigs, bullet weights, & egg sinkers.

[tomustang]

I tried the nail polish on jig heads and rods. The heat and humidity ended up melting and made it gooey.

 

 

I've had better results with auto exterior spray paint, along with scratch repair paint.

[eyedabassman]

Nail polish is a Lacquer base so it will chip pretty easy!

[eyedabassman]

And being nail polish is a Lacquer it could have a fast dry time and that may get what they call a hot lacquer,and it could attack ( or melt plastic ).

[eyedabassman]

Model paints are Enamels and take along time to dry ( Or get a hard ).Enamel paint dry's from the top down and Lacquer dry's fast because Lacquer dry's from the bottom up!

[roadwarrior]

I have several different colors and have been using it for years. Buy the polish at the dollar store and one bottle lasts for years. Great little trick for touch ups.

 

[Turtle135]

I have used it and oddly enough I get the best results from the really cheap nail polish (holds pretty well and does not interact with soft plastics).

I will also soak new unpainted jig heads in vinegar overnight to get rid of that shiny metal finish. It turns them that dull gray. Unpainted jig heads may not look great but I find the bass do not have a preference. On bottom contact jigs it is the trailer that gets their attention.

[Ghostshad]

Waste of time,good ideal,i tried it ,it won't stay on .It comes off fast,on top of that my wife would of killed me.

[junyer357]

Ive used some several times with decent results.  I use ones that are a buck or less at walmart.  I have learned that if it is a plain lead head painting it white before adding a color will really brighten up top color. Its not near as long lasting powder paint, but will get you by if you are on a trip. 

[tholmes]

I've used the cheap, dollar store nail polish to re-paint spinnerbait heads, and it works just fine. It's important to clean the surface well before applying the polish. I use brake cleaner. Might not do so well on a jig head, as they are subject to a lot more contact with rocks. etc. I think that would chip the nail polish off pretty easily.

 

Tom

[WRB]

Painted several thousand lead jigs over the years with Testors model enamel paint. String a horizontal wire and paint jigs individually with a model brush to avoid painting the hook eyeand hang by the hook bend on the wire and let dry for a day or so. The enamel paint never chips.

Tom

 

[scaleface]

I use nail polish paint eyes on unpainted jig heads .Its easy and works .

[lo n slo]

4 hours ago, WRB said:

Painted several thousand lead jigs over the years with Testors model enamel paint. String a horizontal wire and paint jigs individually with a model brush to avoid painting the hook eyeand hang by the hook bend on the wire and let dry for a day or so. The enamel paint never chips.

Tom

 

exactly. i like to do a light sanding to remove small burs and molding edges, anything that may inhibit adhesion too. i use tooth picks as holders for the bullets then place them into tiny holes drilled into my work bench top. i just did a batch of blood red, custom mixed with my Testors. 

edit: i like what scaleface wrote in another thread about painting 3 eyes on his weights instead of 2.

 

[5/0]

On 3/15/2016 at 11:01 AM, WRB said:

Painted several thousand lead jigs over the years with Testors model enamel paint.

I would like to try this, but have a couple of questions on how it should be done. I tried the powder paint thing years ago, but wasn't to successful at doing it.

Does it work for all kinds of metals? Lead, steel, or tungsten.

How do you prep the surface if they've been in storage for a while. Can you clean them with something like rubbing alcohol?

Do you apply a clear coat over the color of preference?

 

Thanks....Joe

[Deleted account]

On 3/15/2016 at 6:28 PM, lo n slo said:

i like what scaleface wrote in another thread about painting 3 eyes on his weights instead of 2.

You guys fish near the power plants?...

[WRB]

2 hours ago, 5/0 said:

I would like to try this, but have a couple of questions on how it should be done. I tried the powder paint thing years ago, but wasn't to successful at doing it.

Does it work for all kinds of metals? Lead, steel, or tungsten.

How do you prep the surface if they've been in storage for a while. Can you clean them with something like rubbing alcohol?

Do you apply a clear coat over the color of preference?

 

Thanks....Joe

I never had to clean my lead jigs, just paint them.

If the lead has white oxides I would put the jigs in a coffee can and cover with acetone, let sit a about 10 minutes, wipe off whatever is still on the jig and key dry before painting. The other materials paint a few to see how the paint adheres after it dries.

Easy paint adhering test is masking tape test. Good thing about using paint is it's softer then powder coat and doesn't chip.

Tom

[lo n slo]

3 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

You guys fish near the power plants?...

sometimes

[5/0]

Thanks Tom. I'll give it a shot.

[OnthePotomac]

Many years ago when I got into bass fishing I would clean a jig head with alcohol and use either red, green or white nail polish on a jig head.  It wasn't long term fix, but it served its purpose at the moment.  I rarely us jig heads any more, but do purchase slip sinkers colored, mostly red, black and blue.  I just use uncolored for white baits.