most durable finish?

[fletchisgreat]

Some plugs are more durable than others.

How do you get the most durable finish on a wooden plug?

 

willing to go to whatever lengths in time, sweat, and expense!

 

Also, which plug maker who sells his plugs has the most durable wooden plug? (ie, is RM Smith the most durable plug that can be purchased?)

 

Would applying multiple coats of epoxy help?

 

What about maintaining plugs, does anyone brush on a coat of epoxy during the winter as annual plug maintenance?

 

Would adding a layer of epoxy to a newly purchased Gibbs plug help the durability of the Gibbs plug?

 

Thank you!!!

[NeedFish]

Some plugs are more durable than others.

How do you get the most durable finish on a wooden plug?

 

Thanks

 

This is a question that eats away at just about everyone who builds plugs. Generally, epoxies are the strongest finish, which one, I cannot say, as there are so many options. For example, theres Devcon, E-Tex, Systems 3, and the list goes on. Theres tons of info on these forums, use the search function, you will find tons of stuff, but sadly, you won't find a definitive answer.

[RI Popper]

Epoxi's aren't that hard though they are more flexible. 2 part urothane's are very hard and durable too. I'd say some kind of Acrylic finish would be the strongest.

 

Armand

[Jig Man]

I've states this before, and will likely do it again. Its not just the clear coat. You have to consider the whole system: wood, sealer, primer, paint, and clear coat. They all have to work well together to create a lasting, durable finish. There are multiple ways of achieving this goal. How you do it will depend on a variety of things: safety, cost, quantity, ease of use, etc. Try a variety of products and find out what works best for YOU. If you are looking at what commercial builders use, good luck. They have access to materials that a hobby builder cannot buy, nor would you want too (safety issues, amount of plugs you make, etc.).

 

Jigman

[jdinklage]

Multiple coats of epoxy over a well sealed wood plug make it very durable.

[Nebe]

I've states this before, and will likely do it again. Its not just the clear coat. You have to consider the whole system: wood, sealer, primer, paint, and clear coat. They all have to work well together to create a lasting, durable finish. There are multiple ways of achieving this goal. How you do it will depend on a variety of things: safety, cost, quantity, ease of use, etc. Try a variety of products and find out what works best for YOU. If you are looking at what commercial builders use, good luck. They have access to materials that a hobby builder cannot buy, nor would you want too (safety issues, amount of plugs you make, etc.).

 

Jigman

 

That needle you gave me a few years ago is still going strong...

[gadabout]

It's a good question and one that I'd like to hear more about. I have been using Envirotex Lite (one coat). It holds up well until the plug runs into bluefish and/or rocks, then pieces will sometimes flake off. I may try using two coats.

[Jig Man]

..., then pieces will sometimes flake off. I may try using two coats.

 

 

If pieces are flaking off, you have some type of adhesion problem. Two coats of epoxy will not fix the problem. Bear in mind that with additional coats of epoxy you will add weight to the plug. Might not affect the action on some plugs, it will on others.

 

Eben, glad to hear it is still holding up. Must be an old one, I have not made a needle in several years.

 

Jigman

[gadabout]

How do you control the adhesion? I use Krylon primer, then Krylon paint, then the Envirotex. It doesn't flake off that easily, but it will come off. Particularly if a beached fish with the plug in its mouth starts flapping around near rocks or on a gravelly beach.

[Nebe]

Its probably 4 years maybe 5 years old..i have smashed it countless rocks, caught tons of fish on it and it looks brand spanking new.

[stripercrazy]

this year I didn't sand the primer good enough before paint and had some paint come off the primer...the topcoats only as good as what its sticking too...jiggys right

[Jig Man]

How do you control the adhesion? ....

 

 

Use products that work well together. That is, your primer sticks to your sealer, your paint sticks to your primer, your clear sticks to your paint. You need to test each of these separately. Take a few sections of wood and seal them all. Prime them. Take a razor blade and slice a 1/8 inch grid into the wood on one of them. Now place a piece of tape over the grid, make sure it is secure, then pull it off. Do you have any primer on the tape? If so, there is one problem with adhesion. Take primed section and paint it like you would a plug. Do the same grid/tape. Do the same to one that is sealed/primed/painted/clear coated. If on the final one you have no clear on the tape, everything works together. It takes some doing to figure out what materials go together best. You'll likely find several combinations that will work. Then you have to figure out things such as ease of use, cost, safety, etc. to determine what system is best for you.

 

Bear in mind that if you are just doing plugs for you and a few friends, so what if stuff does not stick as long as you are catching fish. It becomes important if you decide to sell them.

 

On a plug that has a good system, you'll get some scratches and dings during use, but you should not see things like a clear coat flaking off. Hook drag and such wear and tear from use is normal.

 

Jigman

[gadabout]

Thanks Jigman, for the thorough answer. :th;