I am new to plug building but I've been reading this site for months and have a question I hope someone could answer. I tried to paint my first batch of plugs but I can't get the scale pattern to come out on the plug correctly. Should I take the pattern off immediately after painting? Leave it on? The plugs I tried just turned into a smudged mess of color.I am using spray cans.:confused:

use a blowdryer or leave it over night...
your paint isnt dry when your pulling of the mesh

how thick a coat are you giving the plugs when you do the scales? You only want a light coat. If you go too heavy, you are more likely to smear things. I pull the mesh off right away. Have a box set up with the mesh attached. Hold the plug up to the mesh, spray, drop down, do the other side, all done.

Jigman

Just another thought.....
If you are putting the onion bag mesh directly on the plug...
make sure the mesh is clean.
If you used the mesh before, it seems to leave the outline of the old color you used.
I used a mesh to do a black scale, did not clean the mesh, then
a few days later I did a yellow scale with the same mesh.
I got black outlines on the plug. Looked like a sick bumble bee.

I use veil (sp) material from I think Walmart.

Spray dry coats for a good pattern, be PATIENT!

I remove when dry or very close so I dont smudge the paint.

There is another look that can be acheived by spraying wet coats. Dont have a name but its the scales falling off look cause a Bass just hit.

I will try to get a pic of each up for you.

Chris

i go wicked light on the paint for scaling. also hair dryer as eben said.

I would like to thank everyone for the replies. Of course I'm gonna have to try all of them. I'll post some pics of the plugs when I get done. Thanks again!

FM ~

Top one is a "clean scale" done by dry coats

Bottom is a "been hit scale" done by somewhat heavy wet coats

PNG, Those spooks look sweet, make sure you post pics with fish, you'll get 'em with those for sure:kewl: johnny "the Ratt Boy"