Painting Lead Baits/Weights

[Daze Off]

This winter I am planning on painting up a bunch of lead baits (jigheads, etc) and weights of various kinds and was wondering how other's go about it. In the past I have just used nail polish - especially since the crazy, non-traditional colors have become popular - but it does not last very long - seldom more than an outing or two.

I am going to use some powder paint this year for the first time - is there any prep necessary other than heat? Primer of some kind? I've seen powder paint in a bunch of colors but not green pumpkin or watermelon or pumpkin - do they make it in those colors?

What about epoxy paints - worth the hassle to clear coat and/or add glitter? Do they make epoxy in bass fishing colors or just clear? Would it help the nail polish/spray paint to bond better or just peel off since the nail polish isn't great?

Does regular old spray paint or even Rustoleum work to paint slip sinkers with?

How do you get the best results?

Any help is appreciated or even point me to some good resources where I can look it up....

Thanks,

Daze Off

[bass eater]

Powder paint is probably the easiest, they make it in watermelon, pumpkin, brown, black... glitter coats to go on top. The easiest method Ive found is to use a propane torch and heat the jig for a couple seconds (time depends on outside temp and jig size) and dip it in the powder paint jar, before you dip it in the jar take the jar (with the cap on ) and turn it up side down, then flip it right side up, this fluffs up the paint and makes it easier to dip the jig. then take the jig out hit against the side of the container to knock off the extra paint and hang it up side down... I usually dip at least 50-100 pieces at a time, when there all done dipping I hang em in a toaster oven for 20 minutes at 350 degrees for curing.. 270 for 25-30 minutes for jigs with weedguards.... If ya wanna try the glitter coats ya just dip it in the glitter coat after the paint coat (quickly) and go through the same process for curing... it sounds really simple but takes alittle technique to get a perfect jig everytime. If ya have a run in the paint it will show up at the bottom of the jig after hanging up side down, take a small scissors and clip off the run before ya cure it, and the paint will flow over the spot and make it look good again also clear the hook eyes before curing... otherwise its next to impossible to get it all out of there... do some experemintation to with mixing different colors to come up with home brew colors... ya can have a lot of fun with it!!

[Jig Master]

Anyone ever tried painting tungsten weights???

[bass eater]

same thing.... just get the heat up

[bassn1]

You can use spray paint, just use a good primer first. I have used automotive paint and it works OK.Just be careful what type of paint you use. Laquer paint will inter-act with your plastic baits. Epoxy appliance paints work good and last a long time. You can also paint and then over coat with Devcon 2 ton epoxy (Wal-Mart) you can also mix in fine glitter in the epoxy for some great effects.