Hardening Jig Paint In Toaster Oven ?

[ChrisD46]

I use fingernail polish , model enamel paint and powder paint to paint my jig heads ... For hardening the jig heads with paint in the oven - what temperature and length of time are you using for typical 1/16th oz. to 1/4 oz. painted lead jig heads ? Thanks in advance . 

[Jigfishn10]

I started powder painting this winter, so I'm certainly no pro at this.

 

I started out at 350* for 15 min. I like the results, but was recommended to do 300* for 20 min. I actually like the longer time/lower temp.

 

You will find out that the temp of the jig head prior to dipping in powder paint is really the key to it, IMO.

 

My first powder paint jigs:

 

Good luck.

[ChrisD46]

Thanks - nice jig collection ! ... I will error on the side of conservative and do 300 degrees for 20 minutes to begin . 

[Jig Man]

What type of oven will you be using?  If it is a toaster oven you need to monitor it because they are notoriously wrong in the actual temp vs the one you set.  I melted some jigs completely off the hook until I got mine figured out.

[MickD]

I'm no pro at this, but I use  powder paint and finish it with either UV curing thin/hard epoxy or Loon's Hard Head.  I don't use an oven at all.

 

According to one expert I've tuned in to the key with powder paint is, as suggested  earlier, to get the right temp when dipping into it.  Too low and it doesn't come out glossy, but it can be "glossed" by putting it back into the flame a little.  Too hot and it smokes when dipped.  

[Bluebasser86]

I also use the lower temp for longer time, seems to get a harder finish. 

[WRB]

The harder you make the finish on soft lead the easier it will chip hitting rocks. No reason to harden the paint unless you are selling them or simply desire the look.

Tom

[Siebert Outdoors]

Each powder paint may be different.  Most are around 300-350.  Times also vary.

[Bass Junke]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

The harder you make the finish on soft lead the easier it will chip hitting rocks. No reason to harden the paint unless you are selling them or simply desire the look.

Tom

So here is what I have found in my very limited experience with powder paints. I bought a few jars/bags of powder paint and a bunch of cheap ball head jigs and started practicing with just a heat gun and no oven. They come out really nice with the heat gun. They look just like a jig you would buy in a store. I dropped one onto a cement floor it chipped. 

Fast forward to now, I have powder coated a bunch of jigs I plan on actually using and baked them. I have dropped several of them onto the same floor, no chips yet. 

I have not fished any of these jigs yet so I cannot attest to their durability while fishing. 

So Tom I understand the theory of a hard shell over a softer core but I have not seen evidence of that yet, stay tuned. 

I must also point out that I would think the most abuse a jig gets while being fished is constant dragging across rock/sand/gravel/shells. I doubt a freefall through the water column is going to cause enough of an impact to chip the powder coating of a jig. 

[WRB]

I have painted my lead jigs with Testors enamel model paint for 50 years and never had it chip. Plain black, brown and purple, pearl, no metal flake. My goal is catching big bass and they are not attracted by the metal flake jig head, bass anglers are.

Paint in the hook eye weakens the knot strength imo.

Tom

[Jigfishn10]

Tom, I'm assuming that the paint in the hook eye will "fray" ... I guess the word would be ... the line wrapped around the line tie causing a breakage?

[MickD]

2 hours ago, Jigfishn10 said:

Tom, I'm assuming that the paint in the hook eye will "fray" ... I guess the word would be ... the line wrapped around the line tie causing a breakage?

I think the problem with paint in the eye is that there is a chance that it will crack or fray/disintegrate.  A crack could yield a sharp edge, but the disintegration can leave the knot loose and it could unravel.  I have no data, just an opinion.  I always clean them out if necessary to get a clean loop.

[Jig Man]

Jigs painted with powder left dull won’t drip when baked.  Shiny ones are prone to dripping or having a paint nose on them.

 

There is no reason for a powder painted jig to have paint in the hook eye. 
 

I haven’t used soft lead in jigs for years.  Mine contains antimony.

[Jigfishn10]

15 hours ago, Jig Man said:

There is no reason for a powder painted jig to have paint in the hook eye.

Jig Man, I'll have to pick your brain one of these days.  

[Jig Man]

Holding the jig like this keeps the paint out of the eye.

 

[ChrisD46]

On 2/28/2022 at 11:27 AM, WRB said:

The harder you make the finish on soft lead the easier it will chip hitting rocks. No reason to harden the paint unless you are selling them or simply desire the look.

Tom

*So , no need to put Testors Enamel painted jig heads in the toaster oven ?

[Jig Man]

34 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

*So , no need to put Testors Enamel painted jig heads in the toaster oven ?

I think that would be a mistake.

[WRB]

1 hour ago, ChrisD46 said:

*So , no need to put Testors Enamel painted jig heads in the toaster oven ?

No, just hang them by the hook bend on a tight wire and let dry.

Tom

[MickD]

If you want a good test for paint durability , bring them to Michigan and drop them into the current of the St. Clair River or the Detroit River.  Bring your big ones.

[WRB]

On 3/1/2022 at 8:47 AM, ChrisD46 said:

*So , no need to put Testors Enamel painted jig heads in the toaster oven ?

No, just hang them by the hook bend on a tight wire and let dry.

Tom

Added today; 

Paint in the hook eye creates a lot of line friction clinching knot tight, the smooth hook metal surface doesn’t add to the friction. The hook used to make the jig is it’s most important component by far!

Chipping usually happens during the cast when the head hits something hard like rocks or metal. Freeing a jig from rocks can also crack, scrape and chip hardened paint. The paint cosmetic damage will not prevent a bass from striking the jig. Most anglers lose the jig before it’s beat up.

Tom

 

 

 

 

[dopey]

I do 325 for 25 mins and haven't had any problems.  But I got an in oven thermometer and found the damned thing was 35 degrees hotter than what I set it at!!!  $5-$6 dollars for an in oven is definately worth it!!! 

[T-Billy]

I 

On 2/28/2022 at 12:13 PM, Siebert Outdoors said:

Each powder paint may be different.  Most are around 300-350.  Times also vary.

This^ I use several different powders for jigs and bullets. I follow the manufacturer temp and time recommendations and have never had an issue.