Help Painting Eyes on Jigs

[slabbandit]

I have airbrushes and lacquer paints on hand. Will they work to paint a 2 color eye on a painted and unpainted jighead? If so, would I need to seal them?

[slabbandit]

Sure need some comments. Thanks

[skiptomylu]

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/jig-t...-jigheads.html

This is where I already told you what I do and what I use for a clear coat over them. I can't help more than what I do. Maybe some other do different ways and they can add more.

[Redman]

Do what Skip has told you. He uses a drill bit as do many I have made some neat dotters out of brass rods and love the one I made out of a piece of 8 gauge copper ground wire. Yellow and dark blue are my two favorite colors for eyes. Have used White and black, Red and Dark blue. Just dip the end of your dotter in the paint and then dot the eye let it dry and then with a smaller dotter add your second color let that dry seal coat with Sally Hanson's hard as nails or a good slow drying 2 part epoxy that is clear and your ready to go. Not Rocket science so if I can do it so can you. Do some and post a picture will tell you what a fine job you have done.

Redman

[FishAction]

Lacquer paint will not hold up to contact with plastics if you use them. Been there, done that. Sealed with epoxy will do it. I took it another step and use two part epoxy or powder paint to paint the jig, then paint the eyes with two part epoxy also. Tough, durable and no sealing required. Eliminating steps is the only way to go.

Charlie

[yellowjacket]

hey redman lets see a pic of tht set up

[skiptomylu]

Lacquer paint will not hold up to contact with plastics if you use them. Been there, done that. Sealed with epoxy will do it. I took it another step and use two part epoxy or powder paint to paint the jig, then paint the eyes with two part epoxy also. Tough, durable and no sealing required. Eliminating steps is the only way to go.

Charlie

Yes if doing heads for soft plastics it's different. I just don't do soft plastic heads. I only deal in hand tied jigs. I also use clear Vinyl if using clear over FL Yellow or Chartreuse as they will change color if using Lacquer (Sally Henson's is) as clear coat.

Skip

[Bronson]

and love the one I made out of a piece of 8 gauge copper ground wire. Yellow and dark blue are my two favorite colors for eyes. Have used White and black, Red and Dark blue. Just dip the end of your dotter in the paint and then dot the eye let it dry and then with a smaller dotter add your second color let that dry seal coat with Sally Hanson's hard as nails or a good slow drying 2 part epoxy that is clear and your ready to go.

Redman

I like using the 2 part epoxy as well but like to do 400-600 jigs at a time. The reason is because I like to dip the whole jighead in (without the eye being touched) a small container of epoxy. It goes pretty fast this way. It also gives your jig a wet look which is more natural in the water.

You need to have a wire rack and do about 4-5 at at time and hang them up. Then take a some piece of cardboard and touch the bottom to wick away the drip (which is always there when you dip them). I usually cut strips of cardboard and arrange them on a rack where I can take the strip of cardboard an touch all 5 at one time and then move them to another rack making sure to space them and let them hang for 24 hours. I have been very pleased with the results.

Redman, curious about the blue eye. I've always used black and was wondering if you thought the yellow w/blue center made any difference other that it looks better? May have to give it a try on my next batch.

[slabbandit]

I was really asking if the lacquers were compatable to use for eyes on the powder coated jigheads. And yes, all my jigs right now will be used with plastic tubes. The only reason I asked is because I have a lot of lacquer airbrush colors already on hand. If this won't work well I'll definately try your method Skip.

Thanks for the help,
Dave

[Redman]

The Yellow with the blue centers are the most natural look with the Gizzard shad that we have in Caddo lake. Catch a bunch of shad in a cast net and study them for a minute. The shad in your lake might have a different color variation. Just saying that for the jigs I use in Caddo it is the best color combo. Bronson the other thing that I have found out is that the fish here like a jig with three strands of Flash-a-bou. Sound silly but have run a test with jigs that have it and those with out. The ones tied with Flash-a-bou always out preform those that I don't have it tied in. Here in Caddo the plain crystal flash is the color of choise.

Yellow jacket will have to take a photo of them but they are very simple nothing fancy. But will post some pictures of them.

Redman