Worthwhile to Repaint Jig Heads?

[basszilla]

I've got a good number of bucktail jigs with heads that have lost some or all of their paint. Is there an easy way to prep these and repaint ("easy" is the key word here)? I'm not interested in powder coat or anything industrial like that, was thinking about scrubbing with a toothbrush (water, naphtha, mineral spirits?) and then re-shooting a coat of enamel with a rattle can. I could dot the eyes with a small brush. Is this practical, or just a waste of time? It's obviously not worth doing if the paint comes off again after two or three casts.

 

 

[Ringonu]

I haven't tries it but would nail polish work?  Seems easy enough and you can change colors if needed.

[YUT18]

If you want the easy route I don't see how you can go wrong with a rattle can if you plan on putting epoxy on it. I have used rustoleum before and it held up for a few trips(didn't use epoxy).  If you won't more than one use out of it I would highly recommend using Devon epoxy after you paint (nail polish or rattle can). 

[Sittin there reelin em in]

I say go for it. Like your talking about, it shouldn't take long and won't cost to bad. In my opinion, you don't really need paint on them unless the water is really clear water. Depends on what it looks like after the paint is scratched. That may repel the fish but if its murky than it would be great. The fish don't really care what color it is they just want something to eat. I've caught tons of fish with scratched up jigs all the time. Like I said earlier that's my opinion and that works for me here in Mississippi.

[kcdinkerz]

If hooks are still good I'd reuse them

[RoLo]

To each his own of course, but I use painted & unpainted jigheads interchangeably, and without a 2nd thought.

I'll bet some of your favorite crankbaits have a battered, beat-up finish.

If someone repainted my war-torn pike spoons, I'd be tempted to throw them away 

 

Roger

[Bluebasser86]

It's rare for a jig to last long enough for me to wear the paint off but it happens occasionally. I just keep fishing them instead of repainting in fear I'll ruin the baits mojo. 

[Munkin]

Re-Paint with fingernail polish and you will be fine.

 

Allen

[FCPhil]

I don't recommend nail polish. I tried this and after being submerged for awhile fishing it softened up and came off in my hands. Maybe it was just bad nail polish or not enough topcoat but that's my experience. 

[Angry John]

I have used nail polish to touch them up a bit and it worked great.  They also have some clear that i add on top and helps it last longer.  I will not say i have stolen my wifes to try out and the battle that came after says its just not worth it.  I have my own in two colors black and a green pumpkin color.  Good luck finding a green pumpkin label on any of them i took a while in the girl isle to track down something close

[MickD]

I agree with those who think it really doesn't matter.  The skirts and trailers get all the attention, and the lead sort of disappears.   But, if you want to paint them, Testors model paint comes in tons of colors, is easy to use (buy a bottle of thinner for cleanup when you buy your paint).  If you want to toughen them up, Sally Henson clear hard coat works well, dries almost instantly.  

[OkobojiEagle]

Sharpening the hook points would be a lot more productive than re-painting the chipped heads...

 

 

oe

[Jig Man]

Paint/no paint  it is the fisherman not the fish that considers it an issue.  When I first started making jigs it was buck tail for clear water fishing on Bull Shoals.  For several years I never bothered to paint them.  After I started making them "pretty" I have just kept on but it still doesn't make any difference.

 

A lot of my shaky hand Ned heads have no paint on them and they work just fine but paint them if you want.  Rattle can paint won't hold up if you fish any rocky stuff.  That takes an epoxy or powder paint.