im looking to start making some crank baits. i was woundering what would be a good paint to use and any other tipes anyone could help me out with?

Thanks

Check out Jann's Net Craft, they have all the stuff you'll need to get started. I've bought a bunch of lure making parts and kits from them over the years, great stuff.

thanks

I use Createx water based airbrush paints and have had great results. I also use Testor's model paints both from a jar(thinned for airbrushing) and straight from an aerosol can as well as other spray paint right from the spray can depending on what color and effect I am looking for. I found some water based metallic gold and silver paint that worked well too. I even swipe some of my wife's nail polish every once in a while and thin it with acetone in order to use it with an airbrush. I use a white or gray primer base coat(from a spray can) and I topcoat with clear gloss. I've used Krylon and Testor's from an aerosol can and I use Component Systems Seal-Coat too. The spray can gloss is fine as long as you keep them away from soft plastics but the Seal-Coat is advertised as "worm proof". I don't see the need to use two part epoxy for my lures but I know many custom lure makers use it as a top coat.
Jann's Netcraft and Hobby Lobby both sell Createx paints.

There is also a discussion on this topic with some helpful ideas in the bait section. It is a ways back but worth digging for.

http://www.tacklemaking.com/
http://makelure.com/
http://www.luremaking.com/index.htm

I tried getting on the forum for the last couple of days but could not get through.  Making your own crankbaits or any lures is a noble undertaking.  If you are looking for a hobby to put cash in your pocket, think about it long and hard.  I have tried making my own lures and taxidermy only to discover I was spending more of my time working on other people's trophies than catching some of my own.
If it is something you want to do for yourself and some friends jump in and enjoy it.  I recommend using automobile paint but some of them give off deadly gases so you want to do it in a highly ventilated area as you do with lead jigs, etc.  The crankbaits I saw earlier looked great and I would love to buy a few.  There are some club members who will do special paint jobs for you--that's the route I would go.  It is also a great idea to give as gifts to friends.  I use to fish with a ole fellow who would pick up a stick and carve out a bait and then would paint it some awful colors.  When we were fishing together he would laugh he time he caught one and say:  "Bet they never saw that plug or color before".  I guess it comes down to whether you want to make lures or catch fish.  Those lures in the store often catch more fishermen than fish.  Good luck and let us know if you have any for sale.  Uncle Tom  What a rush when you catch one on lure you built.

I know it was a little bit ago this was posted but I finally got around to working on some cranks and poppers the pictures are on my page feel free to give me some feedback.

Hay bassman those look good ..About how long dose it take you from start to finsh on those ?? Have you got to try them out on the water, did you catch any fish on them it.s got to be real satisfying to catch a fish on a lure that you made....keep up the good work ......JOHN

I agree John....that one on his page looks great. Congrats Bassman!

John- it takes around 2 hours or so to do the cutting and sanding. Painting takes a little while hard to give a time on that. Probably around 3 altogether. I’ll probably go crazy when and if I get a hit on it. I was able this weekend to toss it out in a 30 by 25 spot where the ice was gone. It works but I need to do a little more tuning. It seems that the guitar pick will work out good for a bill. I didn’t catch anything yet that one was the first one that I have made. There will be a lot more to come I almost finished a popper this weekend. I’ll try to get a picture up here soon.

Thanks for the feedback John and mo

Happy Fishing

Bassman