clear-coat finish for plugs

[Sofa King]

i've been carving and painting my own plugs for awhile.
a problem i'm having though, is the clear-coat that i apply is cracking.
it seems to be at depths when i'm dropping them deep on the down-rigger.
i'm guessing the pressure or the colder temperature.

what i'v been using is a spray-on clear-coat.
and i've applied many, many layers.

does anyone know what a better product and method might be?
i've heard of using epoxy.
something else i've heard though, is to go the polyurethane route.
also, there are many that will yellow apparently, due to the uv exposure.
i've got some minwax polycrylic i was going to try next, but thought i'd get some input first.

here's a couple examples.

this one sure seems thick enough.
but probably not hardened enough.
the front lip has scuffed on rocks, and that's a pike's tooth mark on the body.


this one, has really cracked up down on the downrigger.




sure gotta love it when something you've created from scratch works.

[Poguebilt]

look up Endura Paint.... Best there is imho....

[Bpower]

More is not always better when it comes to paint. Sometimes flexibility of the coating will be reduced at higher film thicknesses.

[Shooter]

You can always try a flex additive in whatever brand of paint you are using.

[r106]

look up Endura Paint.... Best there is imho....

I have no idea how it would work for that use, but Endura paint is awesome.

My brother is a painter and has done everything from aircraft to semi's. He recently painted up some Sprint car wings with Endura paint and I believe Endura clear coat as well and it is incredible how it holds up to the flexing of the wing. Also you can drag it across a concrete floor and it doesn't even scratch. Incredible stuff

[heyblast]

Have you tried applying the clear coat by brush?

[Sofa King]

not on these ones.
the one i'm working on now, i'll be brushing it on.
the spray on has been pretty good.
just not when dropping deep on the downrigger.
i browsed youtube, and some are using the two-part epoxy.
i just don't know if it's the pressure at depths that might be the problem.
lyman lures are fine, but they are baked i'm pretty sure.
i'll just keep experimenting.
that endura sounds good, i'll get some clear-coat of that i think.

Have you tried applying the clear coat by brush?

[dropshot]

Ive herd of people using nail polish but have not herd anything about if they crack or not. Could be a cheap experiment to try

[Sofa King]

Ive herd of people using nail polish but have not herd anything about if they crack or not. Could be a cheap experiment to try

i'm actually using nail polish right now.
but on lures.
i use nail polish for metal lures.
it would take forever to do a plug with nail polish.

maybe i'll carve a smaller plug and try the polish on it.
worth the experiment.

[Drillbit]

My hunting sidekick skipped a 222 off the hood of my truck last spring. I clear nail polished it so it wouldn't rust, and it's made through the summer heat & winter salt no problems. Good stuff, just made sure it was really clean(brake clean) and dry (heat gun) before I put it on.