Clear Cure Goo Hydro for 3D eyes

[Shoemoo]

I like the look of 3D eyes, but getting them to stay on is a pain.

Epoxy lasts a long time, but I really dislike working with it. Clear nail polish is easier, but doesn't last very long. I have been sticking the eyes on with superglue gel, but the glue seems to stick the eye to my fingers better than to the head. Plus it makes the eyes cloudy if it squeezes out and gets on the top.

I've tried Loon UV resin, but it dries tacky and seems to sweat on the inside as well. Not a problem when you're sticking it to materials, but definitely an issue with a smooth painted head. I think a layer of oil appeared between the resin and the head, because after awhile they just kind of fell off.

I had a 10% discount coupon from Cabela's, so on a whim I bought a bottle of Clear Cure Goo Hydro. It dries tack free, and I like that it wicks around the eye. You can also move the eye around after you put the glue on but before you hit it with the curing light. That was always a problem with the superglue. "Oh **** the eye isn't all the way in the socket. Do I risk touching it again and risk ruining the eye or having it stick to my finger?"

Durability is still up in the air, but it seems hard enough. Once I get a chance to fish the jigs, I'll let you know. Only other drawback is the price. At $20 for a 15ml bottle they're not giving it away. Still, it might be worth the cost if it keeps the eyes on better than superglue.

 

[Bucho]

Loon UV clear fly finish comes in "thick" and "thin". The "thin" version is rubbish. period.

"Thick" however will need to be warmed up to room temperatur but is very durable. A large bottle lasts a long time. Since I can buy it from a wholesaler it is even somewhat economic. I like that it evens out by itself if you let it set for a few seconds. Furthermore, it doesn´t alternate and dull out chrome PP like nail hardener does.
I`ve started training university students to help with my tying and they get along with it very well since it is close to the uv-nail arts stuff the´re familiar with.

Tackyness remains beeing an issue but it helps to let the finished heads cure out a day or two in daylight in front of the window.

 

[Fatman]

Tried the Super Glue but have been using Duco Cement for all my eyes - haven't gotten any cloudy ones and it gives you time to move the eye if need be.

 

[Pup]

Have tried Clear Cure Goo and must admit it's quick to cure with UV. It's been a while, but I recall removing its tackiness with a wipe of isopropyl alcohol. I could then apply a coat of nail polish or varnish for shine if desired.

Used waterborne polyurethane varnish and gloss glaze for a while. Varnish looks great in gloss and even a semi-gloss, but quickly shreds away in contact with abrasive surfaces. It's non-toxic though, which is a big plus. Gloss glaze seems more durable. It is thicker and has a beautiful depth to it that brings out the definition and color of the paint beneath its surface. It's what many jig makers refer to as the "pop".

However, I've gone full circle back to two-part epoxies. I like using those with an extended working time such as Devcon 2 Ton Epoxy. Five-minute epoxies are OK, but require working very quickly. They set up fast. Therefore, I cannot coat as many jig heads as my working time is greatly reduced. Five-minute epoxies emit vapors which stink to high heaven. I use good ventilation when working with any epoxy and often wear a respirator.

I quit mixing my epoxy in the base of metal pop cans. Pop cans are often suggested as containers for mixing the resin and hardener, but I just don't care for them anymore. I used to cut the base of the can off with heavy duty scissors to create a short mixing cup, but grew tired of that and began to use the entire inverted pop can.

Today, I simply lay down a sheet of wax paper and squeeze equal parts resin and hardener from the tube. I mix them together with a toothpick or mixing stick and apply the mixture to the jig head with a cheap nylon craft brush. The hook bend of a coated jig is plunged vertically into a block of Styrofoam where the jig is left to cure overnight.

Two-part epoxy and gloss glaze are my first and second choices, respectively, for top coating any jig head.

 

[moswampy]

A good epoxy used for boat building is what I have been using to coat heads. Yeah the cure time is 8-10 hours but no blush or vapors. Difficult to mix in small batches since it is 2:1 but graduated medicine cups can be used. 2.5ml of hardener,5ml resin. This will cover 100 heads easily with some to spare. I buy the stuff by the gallon to make decoys


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[QPassage]

I been using Loctite GO2 Glue. Dries fairly fast and clear. I then top coat with a clear coat.
A little trick in putting eyes on that I have found.

I use a toothpick one for putting the glue on the jig then the another to set the eye in place. I have found I can do several fairly quick. Do one side then flip the jig from the under side to do the other side.