What are the pros and cons of treating homemade plaster paris molds with a product like Mod Podge opposed to simply treating your molds with high gloss engine enamel paint?  My lure making book says to treat the molds with high gloss engine enamel paint to get a high gloss finish on the plastic lures but I've read here and other places to treat the mold with Mod Podge.

I haven't done it with POP but I spray garlic cooking oil (make sure it isn't water based) on my rtv, aluminum, and bondo molds and it seems to work pretty good.

I've never heard of using the Engine Enamel paint.  I've used ModPodge on all of my molds and it works great.  After a lot of use, I do go back and reapply, just so my baits do stick.

I really don't see how the sealer on the mold would have anything to do with getting a nice sheen on your baits.  The baits out of an aluminum mold don't look any different than the ones out of a POP mols.  

I use a combo of worm oil and scented oils to get the shine and slickness.  I put the oils in a bag and coat the baits with it.  Then I put a little extra in the actual bag I use to put the finished baits in.

You can use enamel paint but you may lose some detail. Modge podge will work, but do multiple coats. ALso can use a 50/50 mix of Elmers glue and water. Flood the cavity and then wait 30 seconds. Drain and repeat. You can also use two part epoxy thinned with alcohol. This gives the best finish IMO.

You can use enamel paint but you may lose some detail. Modge podge will work, but do multiple coats. ALso can use a 50/50 mix of Elmers glue and water. Flood the cavity and then wait 30 seconds. Drain and repeat. You can also use two part epoxy thinned with alcohol. This gives the best finish IMO.

Thanks for the info.  Regarding the epoxy thinned with alcohol:  what type of epoxy do you use and how thin do you make it by adding the alcohol?  I assume you are talking about isopropyl alcohol and not denatured alcohol?  And finally, do you brush the epoxy on the mold or do you wash the mold with it like the Elmers glue and water?

You can use enamel paint but you may lose some detail. Modge podge will work, but do multiple coats. ALso can use a 50/50 mix of Elmers glue and water. Flood the cavity and then wait 30 seconds. Drain and repeat. You can also use two part epoxy thinned with alcohol. This gives the best finish IMO.

Thanks for the info. Regarding the epoxy thinned with alcohol: what type of epoxy do you use and how thin do you make it by adding the alcohol? I assume you are talking about isopropyl alcohol and not denatured alcohol? And finally, do you brush the epoxy on the mold or do you wash the mold with it like the Elmers glue and water?

The stuff you can get at any home improvement store that comes in the two part syringe will work. Get the 30 min hard finish. I don't remember the name of it off the top of my head. I just brush it on with a hobby brush. Be carefull to spread it out thin and do three thin coats. the isopropyl alcohol is fine. I have alos used acetone to thin it. I make it thin enough to brush on easy. I have a ratio wrote down at home. You can just eyeball it. Not as thin as water but not as thick as syrup. hope that helps.

get Devcon 2 Ton Epoxy, and don't use isopropyl, use denatured alcohol.