Repairing a wood lure's paint/clear coat

[JimBuck]

One of my favorite topwater lures has received some abuse this year from the toothy beasts. The clear coat has managed to break and is now slowly falling off along with some of the paint detail. She still runs true but I would like to prevent any more clear coat/paint from coming off. Any suggestions on how to doctor up a wounded soldier? Is it salvageable or would I need to sand it all down and repaint?

[Borch]

Yes it's salvageable. It would just need a paint touchup and a reapplication of the clearcoat. If you chose to do it yourself you'd need a tube of Devocon 2 ton epoxy, a flux brush, alcohol wipes and a way of turning the lure for 20 minutes or so until the epoxy sets enough so that you get a glossy even coat. If you check out my blog you will find a how to with more details. The 2 ton Epoxy can yellow over time if left in the sun. If you want a UV protected epoxy you'd be best to drop it off at an area lure maker for the work.

Good Luck.

[JimBuck]

Thanks Borch. I'll look into it here after work. She happens to be the most pricey lure in my box so I've got a love/hate relationship with using it. I'll give the Devocon epoxy a whirl this weekend.

[Muskiefool]

I also add a small amount of Denatured Alc.(KEEP AWAY FROM OPEN FLAME) say 5% to Devcon re-coats it makes it a bit more manageable and it applies easier, keep an eye on it turning it about every few min for the first 20 min, if you get a bad spot just hit it with the brush lightly and hold a hot blow dryer away from it and it will melt in; be careful not to get it too hot or you will have runs.

[Borch]

Also for more ideas/help stop in teh Rod building/lure making forum. Several good guys in there.