If I wanted to repaint some of my older crankbaits and rattle traps, how do you go about it and what paint do you use?

They just a little dinged up?

 

Some say a 'worn' lure attracts more than a shiny new one...it looks 'injured' to the bass - ergo: easier target.

20 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

They just a little dinged up?

 

Some say a 'worn' lure attracts more than a shiny new one...it looks 'injured' to the bass - ergo: easier target.

No, I would want to change the color pattern. They’re old chrome rat-l-traps that I want to try my hand at painting some lures. 

Your standard $1-$3 acrylics will do. Can’t remember the name brands something like apple barrel or what not but these are paints you’d find at like a michaels or Walmart.

 

I also paint by hand brush but I know these can be used in air brushes too. 

 

 

I have used Createx acrylic paint (airbrushed) for repainting old lures. Have access to a sand blaster, so i would remove all hardware and strip the old paint. The thing with acrylics is that you need a top (clear) coat over it. Devcon 2 ton epoxy is what i used. Granted, i was just doing a few baits at a time so the devcon worked for me. Kbs diamond coat is used by many that do alot of baits at once. You can aiirbrush or dip & hang with that stuff. Or you could just use any rattle can paint and no clear coat needed. It was fun, and then i had to buy blanks to paint more. 

Some use acrylic paint thinned with water, but using a quality laquer will make your baits look better, and you will look like a better painter.

I like Testors enamel hobby paint and automotive spray clear coat. I'm definitely not an airbrush artist... A lot of multi surface rattle cans work as well as well as nail polishes.

 

Have fun!

 

-Jared

On 12/19/2022 at 5:09 PM, islandbass said:

Your standard $1-$3 acrylics will do. Can’t remember the name brands something like apple barrel or what not but these are paints you’d find at like a michaels or Walmart.

 

I also paint by hand brush but I know these can be used in air brushes too. 

 

 

These do work through an air brush but thwy will need to be thinned down. Createx thinner works well and is available at hibby lobby, otherwise just mix a small amount of clear dishsoap with water. You will also need to crank the pressure up on your compressor to push it. Folk art i beleive it is has some cool colorshifts.

1 hour ago, Bdnoble84 said:

These do work through an air brush but thwy will need to be thinned down. Createx thinner works well and is available at hibby lobby, otherwise just mix a small amount of clear dishsoap with water. You will also need to crank the pressure up on your compressor to push it. Folk art i beleive it is has some cool colorshifts.

You’re right! I have a cheap harbor freight airbrush I do exactly as you described. I prefer to hand paint for now. Could you recommend a real airbrush in the best bang for the buck category for painting lures? Thanks. 

1 hour ago, islandbass said:

You’re right! I have a cheap harbor freight airbrush I do exactly as you described. I prefer to hand paint for now. Could you recommend a real airbrush in the best bang for the buck category for painting lures? Thanks. 

Im not an airbrush expert. I have an iwata neo that i got a couple years ago with the small air compressor kit. The compressor isnt worth the money. It doesnt have enough pressure range. The air brush works. Thats about all I can tell you with that. Definitely wouldn't say dont buy it but I dont know how it compares to others.

4 hours ago, Bdnoble84 said:

Im not an airbrush expert. I have an iwata neo that i got a couple years ago with the small air compressor kit. The compressor isnt worth the money. It doesnt have enough pressure range. The air brush works. Thats about all I can tell you with that. Definitely wouldn't say dont buy it but I dont know how it compares to others.

I just rigged my airbrushes to connect to the 2-gallon compressor I use for minor work in the shop.

19 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

I just rigged my airbrushes to connect to the 2-gallon compressor I use for minor work in the shop.

I started that way, but its so loud and I do alot of my stuff in late evening. Living in town I had a neighbor complaining about the compressor running at 11 at night. (She’s call the cops crazy, so no go there).

I'm not artist, but have used Testor's model car spray paint on the past with good results. Once painted, I used either a clear gloss coat, or a clear dull coat depending on the desired result.

I haven't fooled around with painting lures in years.

On 12/19/2022 at 3:31 PM, KSanford33 said:

No, I would want to change the color pattern. They’re old chrome rat-l-traps that I want to try my hand at painting some lures. 

Chrome is going to present some problems.  Paint doesn't like to adhere to naked chrome.  It'll likely flake off pretty easily.  I would scuff it up with some sandpaper first, and then use an etching spray paint (most automotive primers made for metal will work) as a base coat if you wanted to go this route.  Then, once the primer has fully dried and/or cured, you can use whatever you want over it.  

Speaking of Chrome, these metallic krylon paints can be really fun to play with. They have different glitter dust ones as well that can add nice accenting.