Powder Coating Small Jig Heads ?

[ChrisD46]

My jig heads consist of Ned Rig and Shaky Heads from 1/24th oz. to 1/4th oz. which I would like to powder coat in small quantities : Do I need a Fluid Bed set up or is there an equal method for powder coating small size / small quantity jig heads I described ? Thanks in advance ...

[Jig Man]

I would not build or buy a fluid bed unless I were making a lot of jigs.  You can get by with some bottles of powder paint, and a heat source.  If you have an old toaster oven you can bake on the finish. 

 

I heated with a propane torch and bottle of paint without baking for several years.  The paint isn't as permanent but if you are not selling then it won't matter.

[cadman]

I'll echo what Jig man said. No need for a fluid bed. Buy your (2 oz) jars of powder paint, get a heat source, and a small toaster oven (optional).

 

jars of powder paint .....$5 - $7

I use a heat gun...........$10 (Harbor Freight)

Toaster oven............... $10 (Garage Sale)

 

You can probably get everything you need for about $50.00

 

Most importantly is to make sure the powder paint is fluffy when dipping a hot jig. So stirring or shaking powder often is a key to get thin coats on jigs. Toaster oven hardens the paint to keep it lasting longer.

[KDW96]

Guys,i had a list of heat time (seconds in flame). For the life of me i cant find it now. Would you be kind enough to share again?

 

1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4 oz sizes. Thank you !

[Jig Man]

26 minutes ago, KDW96 said:

Guys,i had a list of heat time (seconds in flame). For the life of me i cant find it now. Would you be kind enough to share again?

 

1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4 oz sizes. Thank you !

Sorry I don't use a flame any more.  I use a heat gun.  With it times vary according to air temp and how long it has been on.

[Munkin]

11 hours ago, KDW96 said:

Guys,i had a list of heat time (seconds in flame). For the life of me i cant find it now. Would you be kind enough to share again?

 

1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4 oz sizes. Thank you !

Seems to depend on the particular paint as well. Black, brown, and GP I cannot screw up but pearl white is a PITA to deal with.

 

Allen

[Bluebasser86]

1 hour ago, Munkin said:

Seems to depend on the particular paint as well. Black, brown, and GP I cannot screw up but pearl white is a PITA to deal with.

 

Allen

White and chartreuse are the worst. 

[ChrisD46]

I have the powder paint jars , a heat gun (Harbor Freight) and a toaster oven . If I shake the powder paint jars real good to get the powder paint fluffy then I should be good to go with a quick dip & swirl . Heat time for the size jigs I use a few inches away from the heat gun I have will start at 15 to 20 sec. *I suppose the key advantage of the fluid bed is it keeps your powder paint constantly fluffy - with the 2 oz. jars I may have to stop and shake the closed lid jar every few jigs or so .

 

P.S. Harbor Freight has 16 oz. tubs of : Black , White and Red powder paints  for $6 each .

[Jig Man]

Chris if you only heat the heads enough to get a dull coat on them instead of a shiny one you will get a good bake without any runs. 

 

If you are not already doing it, hold your jig heads by the hook eye and you will eliminate paint in the eye that will need to be cleaned out.

 

 

[ChrisD46]

Just now, Jig Man said:

Chris if you only heat the heads enough to get a dull coat on them instead of a shiny one you will get a good bake without any runs. 

 

If you are not already doing it, hold your jig heads by the hook eye and you will eliminate paint in the eye that will need to be cleaned out.

 

 

Great Tips !! ... Forgot to ask what is the temp and time range of hanging jig heads to bake in the toaster over ? I was thinking 325 degrees for 20 minutes (may be too much / too little though ?)

[Jig Man]

I have my oven set on 350°.  Bass size jigs get painted for 20 minutes.  Smaller heads only for about 10-12 because I have had some melt with my $2 garage sale toaster oven but it has been going for 20 years and has painted 10s of 1000s of jig heads.

[Heartland]

Try doing a base coat of color that works well for you, and then putting the white or other difficult color on top of it.

[Black Hawk Basser]

I paint a lot of jig heads.  I do what most have suggested, I just use a heat gun and "swish" them through the paint inside the jar.  I bake them in a toaster oven for at least 20 minutes at 350-375.  The only time I ever have paint run on a jig is when I've applied way too much to it.  I don't think excess time in the oven matters as far as running paint, because I've accidentally left my oven on for hours and the jigs were just fine.

 

As with anything, practice before trying the "real thing".  Try doing it with some super cheap jigs before you try with the more expensive styles for bass.

 

One thing that I believe is crucial to having a durable paint job is to clear coat the jigs, especially large ones(1/8 oz or more).  I use the Pro Tec 'clear' in a fluid bed; after the jigs have their coat of paint, I bake them, and then put on a coat of the clear Pro Tec, and bake again.  It works well for me.  Most of them come out looking great, and the lead will dent before the paint comes off.

[ChrisD46]

Thanks for the replies !

[BrianP]

One of the last times I painted them white, when baking them they turned brown like they burnt. Any ideas why that happened?

[Jig Man]

6 hours ago, BrianP said:

One of the last times I painted them white, when baking them they turned brown like they burnt. Any ideas why that happened?

Too hot and in the oven too long

[Paul Roberts]

You know, I've been using nail polishes for years. If these are not for sale, and just small batches, you might consider it. The NPs I've used, some as cheap as 99c a bottle have held up surprisingly well. And, are easy to touch up again. 

[Bdnoble84]

I just did a bunch of 3/32 1/8 and 3/16 ounce wormhead jigs (aka ned head with collar) i used both fluid bed and just dipping in container. Honestly as long as u keep pait loose in jar it works just as well on those jigs.