If Santa is good this year

[Lotech Joe]

If Santa is at all good to me this year, I'm considering taking up powder coating my jig heads. Not so much because I think they will catch more fish, but more because it would make a good way of whiling away the hours of the Winter off season. Anybody have any tips for me? I'll be totally new to the process.

 

[Fatman]

Alot depends on how complicated you want to get. If you're only going to do basic colors you just have to get used to a quick dip so you don't get to much powder. One jar of powder will do alot of jigs. Figure out what colors you want and start with like 2 to see if it's going to work for you. There's lots of heat sources - I prefer a heat gun.

I've learned alot from the guys on here, if you have questions once you start just ask and we'll help you out.

 

[AtticaFish]

You can do the simple 1 color stuff with a Bic lighter and a brush. You can do the complicated multi-color stuff with a Bic lighter and a brush. The process is very simple and only limits are your imagination and patience.

Best tip i can give is to NOT overheat your jig head. If you do, it allows the powder to stick to the lead too quickly and makes for too thick of paint. The toughest, most durable paint jobs are when the paint is at its thinnest and i have seen where it will dent along with the lead before it chips or cracks - got to keep it thinnest possible coat.

A lot of people prefer heat gun and i think mostly for the heat control. I personally use an oil lamp - had melted a few heads right off the hook when i first started - but have gotten a system worked out so i know how far from the flame i need to be to heat it slowly and evenly.

It all takes practice and is fun figuring out what works best for you.

 

[ragged edge]

I started out using a alcohol burner made from a small mason fruit jar. On heating 1/8 oz jig heads I count to six alternating each side or three to a side. On 1/16 I count to four. Like Attica said, keep the paint fairily thin but enough to color the head. I'm out to catch crappie and what ever else decides to go for a boat ride home. Look at it this way, the fish are used to Walmart carp so use your inagination and you should catch more fish.

 

[Pup]

Try mixing your powder paints in order to create some of the colors you want. To me, this is the most enjoyable part of the powder painting process. As one who has an interest in making bass jigs, I've been able to create the following bassy colors:

• golden brown
• plum brown
• olive
• green pumpkin
• gloss black
• cotton candy confetti (mixed glitter + clear - Thanks Rad. )

Plus, I'm going to recommend utility lighters. The type you light grills with. I used a heat gun for a while. Too noisy and hot, so it had to be used in my unheated/un-air conditioned garage. To me, the lighter is a much better option, since I don't paint large quantities of jigs. I get excellent heat control when heating 1/16 to 1/4-oz. heads using this type of heat source. Do make sure that you use a sturdy pair of hemostats or locking pliers to hold your jig hook during the heating process.

 

[ridgeliner]

I'm new to mixing colors. I've always used them straight up. I was wondering what is the ratio you use of clear and glitter? Is it a tablespoon of clear and a teaspoon of glitter? What is the best ratio? I know I can test it and adjust it, but where is the best place to start?

 

[Fatman]

Ridgeliner - I started out with 1 tablespoon of powder then added glitter then tested it. Rad once told me it takes more glitter than you think so add then test then add more. I've learned alot about powdering and glitter coats from these folks!!!!! Go back through the paintshop area and read about glitter you will learn alot!!!!!!!!!!

Pup - that green and purple glitter in clearcoat over a pink head is a great color!!!!!!! On the olive mix a little white and you'll get a really nice light olive. Theres alot of mix's listed throughout and easy to mix.

 

[ridgeliner]

Thanks for the info Fatman. We got our first measureable snow today.

 

[AtticaFish]

For a clear/glitter mix i usually start out with a 5:1 mix using same size (1/4teaspoon) measure. Thats 5 clear to 1 glitter. Then adjust it after you try it.

 

[ridgeliner]

Thanks AtticaFish. I now have a starting place.

 

[cadman]

Lotech,
My advice to you is start out simple with one color, get good at that so you don't have drips and then go on to 2 colors and so on. Pretty soon you will be painting like a pro. Just remember take your time and don't rush things. Also practice makes perfect, so the more you practice the better you will get at this. Good Luck on your new venture.