08-24-2004, 03:44 PM
[url "javascript: addTag('cool')"][cool][/url][#0000ff]Hey Don, I have been custom coloring plastic baits for over twenty years. I have tried just about everything, and here are a few of the things I have found.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]1. A good permanent marker will color the plastics...permanently. Some work better than others and some plastics take colors better than others. It takes some experimenting. However, as you have no doubt discovered, the colors tend to "bleed" into the rest of the plastic and the whole thing becomes the new color after a few hours to a few days. If I want to add eyes, stripes or vertical bars on a plastic body, I carry my markers with me on the water. I do up a couple ahead of time, to allow the color to "take", but not enough that I will have a lot left over to turn unuseable before the next trip. You can even do them one at a time, and blow on the colors to dry them. Chances are, you will lose the jig before it bleeds out anyway.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]2. There are several commercial "worm dyes" on the market. These are primarily for dipping to create two tones or to color clear plastics with your choice of other colors. I use them a lot for that purpose. I also use them for spots, dots, eyes and stripes, by applying with a small brush or stick, rather than dipping. Use a small headed finishing nail for spots and eyes. Dip it into the color solution and then apply softly to the place you want the spots.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]3. Most paints...enamels, lacquers, vinyl, etc...will eat up the plastic, or vice versa. The paint does not set completely and peels off with the first cast or bite.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]4. There are some new products advertised as being designed for painting plastic baits, but
ly I have not tried them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have played with the shad bodies and other swim baits a lot over the years. I especially like to add a color line down the back, or a stripe along the sides. For the most part, I use Sharpies and a line of markers I get in art and craft shops made by Design. I probably have almost 50 different colors by them.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]1. A good permanent marker will color the plastics...permanently. Some work better than others and some plastics take colors better than others. It takes some experimenting. However, as you have no doubt discovered, the colors tend to "bleed" into the rest of the plastic and the whole thing becomes the new color after a few hours to a few days. If I want to add eyes, stripes or vertical bars on a plastic body, I carry my markers with me on the water. I do up a couple ahead of time, to allow the color to "take", but not enough that I will have a lot left over to turn unuseable before the next trip. You can even do them one at a time, and blow on the colors to dry them. Chances are, you will lose the jig before it bleeds out anyway.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]2. There are several commercial "worm dyes" on the market. These are primarily for dipping to create two tones or to color clear plastics with your choice of other colors. I use them a lot for that purpose. I also use them for spots, dots, eyes and stripes, by applying with a small brush or stick, rather than dipping. Use a small headed finishing nail for spots and eyes. Dip it into the color solution and then apply softly to the place you want the spots.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]3. Most paints...enamels, lacquers, vinyl, etc...will eat up the plastic, or vice versa. The paint does not set completely and peels off with the first cast or bite.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]4. There are some new products advertised as being designed for painting plastic baits, but
ly I have not tried them.[/#0000ff] [#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have played with the shad bodies and other swim baits a lot over the years. I especially like to add a color line down the back, or a stripe along the sides. For the most part, I use Sharpies and a line of markers I get in art and craft shops made by Design. I probably have almost 50 different colors by them.[/#0000ff]
[signature]