Thread: Powder Paint, Need Help

Dave - could you tell us which fluid bed you bought and do you have pics of what the jigs look like - sometimes seeing it helps.

Make sure when you put a cup in the fluid bed that the paint rolls around in the cup like water when you move the cup around. I have some powder paint when not used enough compacts therefor it doesn't get proper air flow through the paint and I get clumps in places on head and/or pits. What I do is, with the lid on the cup, shake it good to unpack it. I've actually gotten in the habit of shaking all cups before I put in fluid bed. I don't reheat jigs. I heat jig, dip in paint, pull out, let sit for a few seconds and then dunk in water to cool.

Very common issue with guys just starting out. Most of the time, it is due to too much air in the powder. This can be controlled in two ways: turn your valve down, don't insert the container as far.

Each paint is different and requires a different setting. The biggest issue I see sometimes is NOT having enough paint in the fluid bed. I use 3 inch beds and 2oz of powder is about the minimum I put in.

Once you understand what you are looking for, you will be good. Most instructions tell you to get your powder to look like water beginning to boil. This isn't what you want. You want to be able to swirl the cup and have the powder move around like water. I take it to bubbles and then back it off.

Also, before you dip, angle your cup so the powder goes up the side. This removes the air going tothe powder. Remember, air is there to stir the powder between dips and to keep it fluid to a jig can go in it. What you do during the dip doesn't matter. Less air the better.

Dave, 2 things I have run into. I also have several cups I bought. I found I had problems with some of them boiling the paint like it should and having volcanos to the side. Took cups and using super glue went around the bottom where filter meets side of cup and repealed that seam. Some weren't completely glued. That solve a lot of my problems. Also when installing cup in base give it a twist as you insert it into base to get a good seal. I suspect you have more than one issue. Take a jig and sacrifice it, heat while counting until the lead melts, remember your number, then take it up until your just 2 counts shy of that number, dip and hold for a second and pull out. I have never had much luck trying to swish them around like they show in them videos. One thing is the more you paint the better you get. I probably went through a couple hundred jigs before I started to get it right. Like Fatman said, some pictures would sure help.

I bought all of my 2 inch fluid beds from TJ's Tackle and my first purchase was a kit that included
the air pump as well. I'll try to get some pics posted ASAP. In the meantime, THANK YOU to all of
the members who came up with suggestions. I certainly will take advantage of your knowledge and
attempt to put them to good use! THANX again!!!!
Tight Lines - Dave

OK, here is a photo of what I am having a problem with. Any suggestions would be helpful!
Thanx in advance gentlemen!!!
Tight Lines - Dave

Dave

Couple things I can think of -

your heads aren't evenly heated, that's why one part of the head looks good one part pitted
with all the powder on the hook shank you might have left them in too long - with no collar you should be able to dip at an angle and get just the head coated

I have to agree with cray you might not have enough powder in the cups and with a fluid bed it doesn't take much to get them coated. Once you get it down you'll fly through them.

Mine looks like that if my jigs are to hot when dipping in powder