Just finished putting paint on a few baits:


Been having problems with clear coats and was wondering if anyone here has had good results with anything in particular. I've used Devcon 2 Part and really like the shine and hardness but its a pain to brush on. I'm currently using MCU but, its really nasty stuff and tends to craze and wrinkle randomly from bait to bait. Can't figure it out. Any ideas on a good simple clearcoat are appreciated.

D2T thinned with alcohol is what I used on spinner blades when I was painting them for salmon spinners. There are some concrete sealers that seem to work quite well. Also there are some UV curing coats that also work.

Concrete sealer might be an option to replace MCU. I'm assuming the lure would be dipped in it. Not sure where to get the stuff.

There is tons of info on using concrete sealer over at Tackle Underground.

What brands, what types, all that good stuff.

Thanks for the tip. I just read a long TU thread on concrete sealer used on plastic cranks and it sounds like a good option to try. D2T is good stuff but slow going and easy to mess up. Really don't like the fumes from MCU not to mention the issues crazing on bills and paint. Sounds like concrete sealer may be the ticket.

I've got to finish up my research on the concrete sealer. Might want to top coat some slabs.

I've discovered how to apply holographic foil to slabs and it needs a top coat.

Haven't done any foil yet.....one thing at a time......sooner or later I'll get there.

Depending on how many baits you need to do, system 3 mask less a really good product for a protective top coat. Envirotex is another option as well. I've used both with excellent results on the wood lures that i make.

Tried Eagle Supreme Seal on a few baits and had good results. Its a concrete sealer and seems to have none of the issues that MCU has. So far so good... Checked out System Three, per Striper Swiper...looks like good stuff worth a serious look.

A guy from Tackle Underground emailed me and suggested using AC1315 High Gloss Solvent based Sealer from Direct Colors out of Oklahoma. This stuff is the bomb.....no wrinkles....dries quick...two dips and you have a hard clear finish that looks like a million $$$. Hope this helps someone avoid problems with finish coats on crankbaits.

If you cut your paint with pledge floor shine the eagle concrete sealer will not pull your paint or wrinkle I dip mine less than 5 minutes after painting them

Thanks for the input Brad. Check TackleUnderground for solutions on using solvent based sealers. There's thousands of comments by some very clever folks regarding that subject. Not sure about cutting paint with pledge floor shine. The idea has gotten lots of discussion elsewhere the general consensus is to dip a freshly painted lure in Pledge Floor Care Finish, the multi surface acrylic finish brand, and let it dry before dipping into a solvent based clear. That method works pretty well most of the time.