Anyone use this stuff? Just got some and I like it. Just wondering what you guys use as a heat source?

I've been using a candle and it's good but also a little inconsistent. That could be me though too...it also is a little time consuming. I was think a butane torch?

Looking for any advice. Thanks.

Powder paint is Great, I use a heat gun, but if your doing small jigs a candle is fine. Haven't done to much bass jigs but I've done a few dozen small crappie jigs from 1/64 to 1/16. The tricky part is evenly heating it without the lead melting. Heat gun might be safer then a torch lol

I use a heat gun from Harbor Freight. Makes it much easier, especially when painting large numbers of heads. I use the Pro-Tech paint for some of my colors. If you use black, red, yellow, or white then get it from Harbor Freight. You can get a 1lb tub of any of those colors for $6 VS $7 for 2oz from Pro-Tech. 

I use a heat gun exclusively or bake the jigs in the toaster oven, just depends how many I have to do.  Pro Tec is good paint, but I prefer Columbia Coatings

Are all heat applied powders equal?

It seems like there are a ton of powder manufacturers that sell nice colors for much cheaper even though they are not explicitly made for lure making. How can you tell if they will work?

Are all heat applied powders equal?

It seems like there are a ton of powder manufacturers that sell nice colors for much cheaper even though they are not explicitly made for lure making. How can you tell if they will work?

Here is a two part answer to your questions. No all powders are not alike. There are several companies out there that have durable powder for jigs .However durable is a relative term. If you fish a lot of jigs and you lose them before the paint chips off, then it doesn't matter. Also the fish don't care. However if you are going to sell your jigs like I do then I would stick with a TGIC powder , which is made for exterior use and is by far more durable than other powders. I use industrial powders all TGIC. I can tell you that Columbia and Pro-Tec are TGIC. I can also tell you that Harbor freight is not. Does it matter, well that is your call. However, me personally would never use a Non-TGIC powder paint.

Anyone use this stuff? Just got some and I like it. Just wondering what you guys use as a heat source?

I've been using a candle and it's good but also a little inconsistent. That could be me though too...it also is a little time consuming. I was think a butane torch?

Looking for any advice. Thanks.

 I personally use a heat gun also, and have been doing for a long time. I use them on crappie jigs and bass jigs. You have to find what works for you as far as how you apply your heat. I know guys that use a torch. In the end it really doesn't matter as long as you bake your jigs. I would not use a lighter, and I do not like candles as they put out a lot of soot, which in my mind transfers on the jig and makes the paint adhere less. Just my opinion.

Another vote for a heat gun.

Thanks guys, I'll check out some heat guns.

I've been using Pro-Tec powder paint for years and have never had any problems that weren't due to my own ineptitude. I use a different approach to heating my jig heads though. I heat them in an old toaster oven, hanging on the wire rack, set at about 375 degrees. I can heat about 20 at a time. I take them out and dip them and hang them on another rack. When the whole batch is painted, I back the temp on the oven down to about 325 and put the painted jigs back in to cure for 25 minutes or so.

 

Tom