Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, but it seemed like the best. I want to try and custom paint a reel or two of mine and I can't find really find anything to help me. I want to know what kind of paints to use, how to prep the reel, and all that kind of stuff but anytime I google it I mostly find people looking for company's to do it for them. I'm wondering if anybody can give me a few tips on it or point me in the right direction.

Thanks,

Carter

I assume it would be take some special equipment. The paint is probably baked on probably something similar to powder coating. Honestly though I don't know just a guess im sure someone will reply that knows exactly how its done.

I'm gonna be dipping a few reels to match the ice rods I just did. I prep like I would anything cleaning and priming it then dip and I use a automotive clear coat I did 5 light coats on the rod handles.

Couldn't tell ya the process. I have a custom painted reel and it is stunning. The paint job cost a pretty penny as the reel has to be taken down to the frame to be painted then obviously reassembled.

There arent many folks out there doing this or at least doing a good job with it. I recall a poster on here completing a custom painted Citica reel in Black. It might have been in the show of your stuff thread... couldn't tell ya who it was or if he is active on here anymore. Did a darn good job.

Be careful dipping reel parts as they may not fit back together afterward. Tape off threads, screw holes etc. My guess would be enamel and clear coat are what's usually used. Then there's the stripping of the reel. You may want that done for you with a deep cleaning while it's apart. Brake adjustment dials can be tricky. Just give this some thought before jumping in with both feet.

Be careful dipping reel parts as they may not fit back together afterward. Tape off threads, screw holes etc. My guess would be enamel and clear coat are what's usually used. Then there's the stripping of the reel. You may want that done for you with a deep cleaning while it's apart. Brake adjustment dials can be tricky. Just give this some thought before jumping in with both feet.

Yeah, I've just been looking into it. I've been looking for an old or a cheap reel I can get to try and take apart and put back together before I start

The people who paint reels and do it properly use a primer/base/clear. Same process and materials used to paint a car. Not out of a spray can. A good paint job lies in the prep work. Being in a hurry leads to poor results. It's a tedious process to get good results. Anything plastic usually gets some sort of adhesion promoter as it will make the paint stick better. I've painted 1 reel and I doubt I'd do it again. It reminded me how much I didn't enjoy body work when painting a car.

I'd rather send it off and pay the $100.

It's a lot of taping off and sanding. Then more taping off and sanding. Then more taping off and sanding.

Tear down

Sand

Clean

Tape off

Primer

Un tape

Sand

Clean off

Tape off

Primer

Un tape

Sand

Clean off

Tape off

Paint

Clear coat

The people who paint reels and do it properly use a primer/base/clear. Same process and materials used to paint a car. Not out of a spray can. A good paint job lies in the prep work. Being in a hurry leads to poor results. It's a tedious process to get good results. Anything plastic usually gets some sort of adhesion promoter as it will make the paint stick better. I've painted 1 reel and I doubt I'd do it again. It reminded me how much I didn't enjoy body work when painting a car.

I'd rather send it off and pay the $100.

It's a lot of taping off and sanding. Then more taping off and sanding. Then more taping off and sanding.

Tear down

Sand

Clean

Tape off

Primer

Un tape

Sand

Clean off

Tape off

Primer

Un tape

Sand

Clean off

Tape off

Paint

Clear coat

 

Sounds a lot like building model cars which I've done a little bit of and I somewhat enjoy the taping and sanding. Thanks for the reply, helped a lot