Hi I was recently looking through a Facebook group where a guy asked a question about using a lacquer automotive clear coat for his crankbaits. This caught my attention because I was looking for an affordable clear coat for my baits. Some one in the comments said it worked for them so I bit the bullet and bought a quart. I am now experimenting and finding that it is causing the paint to lift on some of my baits. I found that if I do a couple light coats of rattle can clear enamel the lifting is pretty minimal and hardly noticeable. I am just wondering if any of you guys know of any other things I could do to stop the lifting. Another guy talked about using floor wax as a midcoat, so if any of you guys have any experience on that your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Also if any of you guys know of any other budget options cheaper than kbs could you please share them with me. Thank you, JT Henriksen

Maybe try a UV resin like Alumilite UV Clear. 

 

Isn't that really expensive. When I looked it up its like $20 for 1/4 lb. How many baits will a 1/4 lb do.

Devcon 30 minute epoxy works for me. 

11 hours ago, JT Henriksen said:

Isn't that really expensive. When I looked it up its like $20 for 1/4 lb. How many baits will a 1/4 lb do.

Not sure how many lures it would do, I use it for jig heads so each one barely used any.

I e just been using polyurethane. Not sure how well it will hold up to toothy fish, but right now im just learning to paint them so i dont want to go crazy on less than perfect baits

The best stuff I ever used back when I was painting hardbaits was call Dick Nite Clearcoat.  

Can you post pics of the paint lifting? I have been using auto clear and havent had any issues are you letting the paint cure out long enough?  Also what are you painting the baits with what sort of paint? 

Personally, I don’t consider any single component auto urethane to be strong enough, plus I think catalyzed 2 part auto urethanes, which are strong enough, Are too darned dangerous to use without extensive protective equipment and excellent ventilation.  I recommend using one of three options:  slow cure epoxy, moisture cured urethane like KBS or Dick Nite, or UV cured polyester resin like Alumi-UV or Chinese alternatives from Amazon.  Of these, KBS Diamond Coat may be the most cost effective and easiest to use, as you simply brush it on and hang the lure to cure/dry.