Does anyone or has anyone painted crankbaits with a paint brush. I kno its better to use an air brush. Dont have or cant afford one. I have paint brushes. Just wondering and askin for some tips to painting with brushes. What quality work u can get from it. But pretty much lookin for any tips.thanks

Use spray paint to get the body color then go back and do the details with a detail brush. I've done a few lures that way.

I tried it a few years ago, some came out OK, and it is fun if you have a couple extra baits that you wouldn't mind turning out ugly. It is pretty easy to make/add a splatter-back, and that looks pretty cool.

Never thought of usin spray paint?!?! Duhh!

BRUCE! Before going and spending money on an airbrush, just consider it twice. I have put a ton of money in the hole recently, and I am not sure if I really want to continue. I think that it will be cheaper and easier in the long run to just buy the same baits new. I bought an airbrush for $100, acrylic paint for $35-$40, air hoses, cleaner and other things like epoxy and clearcoats etc. All I can tell you is that it is complicated. I have been struggling to figure out my airbrush. I cant get the right consistent sprays like the other guys do. Just today I slightly bent my needle! Just thought I would give you a word of advice.

The expense is why im asking about trying paintbrushing crankbaits. I agree I dont want to spend even 80 bucks on an air brush and compressor. Just seems too complicated also

The expense is why im asking about trying paintbrushing crankbaits. I agree I dont want to spend even 80 bucks on an air brush and compressor. Just seems too complicated also

 

Yeah... You definitely can use pain brushes with acrylic paints for much cheaper than an airbrush. If you take your time on lures with a paint brush they can come out great! However if you are using a paint brush, you will tend to lay on a lot of paint. Airbrushes can give you  color coverage, without weighing down the lure at all really. It all depends on your budget. You put spray paint and brushed paint on a bait. Use stencils for an even more professional look! Just remember to always clear coat with some type of epoxy or resin...

Thank you Cdaggett for the info

I use a detail brush for stuff like thin red lines where the gills are and tiny touch ups. You can use a paint brush, but you're never gonna get that smooth coverage and finish that you're gonna get with an airbrush. Honestly I wouldnt waste the money buying blanks to paint with a brush. If you have a couple old lures that you can sand down then it might be fun to play around with, but any serious work is gonna come with an airbrush.

BRUCE! Before going and spending money on an airbrush, just consider it twice. I have put a ton of money in the hole recently, and I am not sure if I really want to continue. I think that it will be cheaper and easier in the long run to just buy the same baits new. I bought an airbrush for $100, acrylic paint for $35-$40, air hoses, cleaner and other things like epoxy and clearcoats etc. All I can tell you is that it is complicated. I have been struggling to figure out my airbrush. I cant get the right consistent sprays like the other guys do. Just today I slightly bent my needle! Just thought I would give you a word of advice.

cdagget...What kind of airbrush/paint/compressor are you using? Are you running a moisture trap on your compressor? It takes some practice to control an airbrush, especially on a 3D surface, but keep working at it. Learn your brush inside and out, sont be afraid to take it apart, it really helps to see how the moving parts work together. A lot of the guys that you see posting up lures have been doing it for years. I've been airbrushing since art school and I still have trouble getting paint thinned down to where it will spray consistantly. Don't feel bad about the needle, everyone that uses an airbrush bends a needle or two every now and then, but they're only a few dollars and you'll learn to always have backups. It stinks when you get half way done with a good looking lure and you bend the needle or blow out the tip. Think about it like fishing, hooks are gonna bend and line is gonna break. Don't give up though man. Check out some youtube vids, practice painting basic shapes and lines on paper, then move onto basic patterns on lures. There's nothing like finishing that first sweet looking lure and catching a hawg on it. If you need any advice PM me. SnakeheadWhisperer is a MASTER lure maker. Heres a link to a thread he and I posted up a while back

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/116276-intro-to-airbrushing/

Dennis Smith is a master of the hand painted crankbait, check out his facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/luckydustlures?fref=ts) and message him. He uses a combination of aerosol cans and brush painting and will be only to happy to help with some advice.

All of the baits I've painted have been done with spray cans. This is how they turned out.