Powder Paint

[hookup]

Instead of hijacking the fluid bed post, I started a new one to post thoughts.

For avoiding getting paint into heads, heat jig, then put the head in a set of hemostates, then paint. The hemostates limits the amount of paint that goes into an eye.

Next, before curing the paint in an over, clean the heads with boxcutter with an old blade and one of those eye cleaning tools. The powder paints allot easier to remove before curing.

For painting small quantities, I got a mesh tea ball:



Then drilled out the rivets and installed the 'arms' of the ball into a wooden dowel. The mesh is very fine. Most powder paints work well in them -- the only one I found that's to fine is white. After heating jig, tap lightly to coat.

Then if you want to add an accent to a painted jig, get a paint brush and 'sprinkle' paint on.

 

[Fatman]

In the fluid bed if you dip at just the right angle you can keep the powder out of the eye. I have an old pair of needle nose where the inside grooves are worn down really low. I just scrape them across the eyelet and then poke a needle through to clear it.

I also tap colors on and I like using the fluid bed to get a nice light coat, when I'm doing alot of the same base coat. I run 2" beds and can run 3 or more at one time, so I'm not really changing cups that often. Alot of times I'll get all the base coats on and then take a break and come back and do the brush dips. I don't have a dedicated work space so I'm on the kitchen counter.

 

[smalljaw]

I've found if you dip fast enough and have the right amount of heat the jig eye doesn't get filled. I use 2 methods to clear the eye enough to get line through, the first is when I'm doing a lot of jigs, I heat them with a torch so when I get 5 or 6 done I keep a piece of wire close and I heat the wire up and stick it through the eye and it clears it out nicely. The second method I use if I'm doing anything less than 30 jigs, and that is after I am done painting I preheat the oven and while it is preheating I'll take a jig eye buster, a little tool you get for 2 bucks of so, and I'll just use that, by the time I finish the oven is ready to go and then I put my rack in and its as good as gold!!

 

[baitmaster]

To keep the eyes clear on fluff&stuff or fluid beds, I have been grabbing the jig by the eye with a hemo. I use a hemo with a curved jaw to keep the hemo from getting in the way and file the jaws smooth to a avoid damaging the eye. The last trick is to avoid clamping the hemo too tight. With this method there is little or no eye clean out required.
I have been doing it for about 1 year with no problems being caused on the eye.