Toughest Bead Coating

[snowcamoman]

What have you found to be the most durable, toughest clear coat for beads? I have a bunch painted and mottled, just haven't put a final clear coat on them yet. Thanks.

 

[kenaibow fan]

i didn't clear coat mine.......maybe I should????? I just used nail polish and let them dry.

 

[alaskachuck]

I never use any clear coating either

 

[snowcamoman]

Uh oh....maybe I need to go au-natural and no clear coatings. Is it possible the beads pick up more "character" beating bits of paint off on the bottom once in awhile?

 

[DRIFTER_016]

This is a simple answer Softex!!!!!
Go into World Wide Angler and see the guys and pick up a bottle.
You can either paint it on or dip.
I plug the holes with a toothpick tip on one end and whole toothpick on the other, dip and let the excess drip back into the jar then remove the toothpick tip from the one side and stick the other end into a piece of styrofoam to dry. When the stuff firms up nicely remove the toothpick. Don't wait until completely cured as it's really tough stuff.
I've even painted it on my pike spoons and a bunch of my walleye jigs so their teeth don't chip off the paint.
The stuff is a little pricy at about $11 a bottle but worth every penny. My steelhead beads take a lot of time to create and without the coating the finish would only last a few fish.

 

[snowcamoman]

Drifter,
I have and have used Softex, thanks for the idea, I'll start dipping some tonight. If I let them dry up fully with the Softex, I run a razor around the toothpicks for a clean break rather than pulling a bit off, works excellent. I was just thinking there might be a quick rattle can alternative for doing large batches.

 

[n8r]

aqua seal works great. it seems to make the bead almost feel chewy instead of like hard plastic also

 

[jockomontana]

I was just thinking there might be a quick rattle can alternative for doing large batches.

In that case... Krylon makes an Acrylic Clear Coat in spray can in either matte or glossy finish... good stuff, never used it on beads before but I imagine it would work for large batches... try spraying painted beads in a paper bag and shake em, roll out and toothpick to dry..

 

[ak_powder_monkey]

excuse me, this is the fly fishing forum,

thanks,
The Bead Police
:lol:

 

[snowcamoman]

AKPM,

I'm melting these beads onto hooks and putting wraps of hackle on them as well..

 

[ak_powder_monkey]

oh you don't actually need the wrap of hackle for it to be a "fly" and you can lob it with a halibut rod with 80# braid and as long as your weight is more than 18" above it you are "fly fishing"

 

[snowcamoman]

I just like that whip of hackle on the bead because it blends in with the 100# dacron. It's a much more natural looking setup that way.

 

[George Riddle]

NAPA used to have a clear spray on tool handle coating that worked great for a soft protecting, still too much effort for beads when you can mass paint IMO.

George

 

[muzzyman87]

excuse me, this is the fly fishing forum,

thanks,
The Bead Police
:lol:

AKPM,

I'm melting these beads onto hooks and putting wraps of hackle on them as well..

Nice!!!!:topjob: