Help painting/clearing tight jointed hardbaits..........GGGGGGGGgggggggrrrrrr!!

[motomania]

I have a bunch of Lucky Craft wakebaits I'm trying to repaint. Whenever I shoot some color, I let it dry, and heat set it (Createx); but whenever I barely move the bait, the sections touch and mess up the paint at the edges. It's a hassle carefully unhooking it from my stand to move it/shoot another color.
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Then the topcoat. I love dipping DN, but I tried dipping the jointed wakebait, then brushing the missed spots and avoiding the joints........no luck. Tried brushing only..........no luck, big runs in the clear! Nothing is working well. It's barely worth the hassle as I've already boogered up 3 baits.
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Anyone with any tips/pointers, please jump in!
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Here's a link to some of Barry's (b75nweav)repaints, they're fnatastic! I shot him an IM too. I wish I could get results anywhere near his!
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[Ky 520c]

Not sure what to say I do pretty much what your doing, shoot the color/heat set and then carefully move the bait around and have no problems with contact on the body. I spray my clear tho and after it dries I will go back with a razor knife and cut some of the clear off the hinges and have had no problems, I would think with dipping you've got a pretty good buildup in your hinge area and probably needs some clean up work to keep from damaging the paint in that area

[Klail]

I use a jig to hold jointed baits straight while painting, clearing and drying. This one is made from a coat hanger.

[motomania]

Thanks for the reply guys.
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I actually have my baits mounted on a similar jig to what Keith posted. I think because the Lucky Craft Wakebaits' joint is VERY tight; whenever I unhook/move the bait, that little bit of light contact between the joints, causes the paint to chip; even after heat setting.
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I think spraying the clear would have to be the key. Because when i tried dipping. I would dip the tail, as close to the joint as possible, then within seconds, grab a brush and brush the rest of the clear on the tail section. Let it dry, and do the same to the front. Strangely; I'm still getting runs in the clear!?!?! Which I don't have a problem on non-jointed baits. I'm guessing the combination of dipping/brushing on the clear may be the downfall there. :-(
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Oh well. :-(

[Mr. D.]

Could you dip half the lure to the joint, let cure then dip the other half?? No suggestions about nicking the paint, I have the same problem if I'm not real carful.

[b75nweav]

Got to spray it man! I've tried many different clear's on jointed bait's and by far spraying is the way to go. I don't have to dig anything out of the joings. Make sure when your spraying though the nose of the bait is straight up and tail down. Make sure it's tight in what ever you clamp it in so it will not move on you. Do light coat's letting them set a few minute's in between. Then gradually get thicker until you get the thickness your looking for. Just don't move it or they will stick together. I've had that happen many time's too.. I did one of my reel's pearl white the other day and had the frame hangin' on my spray rack. I had it all cleared and noticed the clear was running to the bottom. I went to flip my rack and the @#$%$ thing fell off, bounce on the concrete and right into the dirt! You can imagine the expression on my face... .. So just make sure it's tight and spray and you'll be alright...