Which paint should I use
Which paint should I use for painting fishing lures with an airbrush?
There are different types of paint for airbrushing. And ideally a beginner should have a few basic colors of opaque, semi-opaque and some pearlescent paints to start with. With these a lot of simple lure patterns can be achieved. In this article I will cover these paints for you to help you understand how they work and what paint is used for what purpose.
If you rather watch then read the article, then check out my tips below:
Some basic types of paint include:
- Opaque paints
- Semi opaque paints
- Transparent paints
- Candy 2O paints
- Pearlized and metallic paints
For many lure painters, the amount of paints will grow fast. (Photo by Elfbaits)
1. What are Opaque paints?
An opaque paint has the highest coverage of all paints. This means that these paints do not show what is underneath the paint. These will cover anything and hide what is underneath. These paints have the heaviest pigments and those pigments will provide coverage.
What are opaque paints used for in lure painting?
Opaque paints are mostly used as a base to start lures with (most often a white or black base depending on what you are going to do).
They are also used to start the base of something on top of an already existing pattern. For example a fin on top of the already painted scales, or stripes or spots on tops of another color.
Do you need opaque paints to begin with?
These are probably the easiest paints to use and to begin with. Because they only do one thing and that is cover all the rest. What I mean by that is that with other types of paints you can sometimes do more things or use different techniques. Opaques are therefore pretty straightforward.
Createx opaque paints are great paints to start with.
In the video below I review the Createx Opaque paints and give more in depth info.
Another good airbrush paint brand besides Createx is Vallejo.
And the entire Vallejo Game Air range are easy and cheap paints to begin with (because they come in smaller bottles), and they cover very well. These paints shoot easily and are very beginner friendly.
2. What are semi-opaque paints?
Semi-opaque paints are, as the name states, less opaque. This means that these paints still have heavier pigments in it but already less than an opaque paint. When you reduce these paints with some reducer or transparent base you can create a quite transparent paint that will cover a little more per layer. This means that the first layer of paint will cover only a little, and the next a little more and so on until nothing more of the color underneath shows through.
What are semi-opaque paints used for?
Semi opaques can be both used for base coating as for painting smaller details. When these paints are reduced a little more they can be used to put more transparent details on a lure such as subtle spots, stripes or fading colors.
Do you need Semi-opaque paints to begin with?
These are very good paints to start with! Because they can serve both as an opaque or a little more transparent paint. Although it will take some time and practice to master these paints and to be able to take full advantage of their qualities.
The Createx wicked line are a great example of semi-opaque paints with a good transparency but yet without too much reducer they can cover quite well too.
Transparent paints are paints that show everything that is underneath the paint. These paints have very tiny pigments in it and that is what makes them transparent.
What are transparent paints used for?
Very nice effects can be achieved when these are painted on foils, pearls or metallics and so on. They can also be used to paint over other painted details to alter the color or to fade other colors.
Do you need transparent paints to begin with?
Transparent paints are not a real necessity for beginners, although they can create really nice results. In a perfect situation a beginner would have some basic colors of every paint to start with. But many simple lure color patterns can actually be achieved without transparent paints.
The wicked detail paints are a great example of transparent paints when used in combination with reducer.
In the video below I review Tranparent paints and compare them with Candy 2O paints.
4. What are Candy paints (Createx Candy2o in particular)?
Candy paints are the most transparent paints on the market. They will always reveal what is underneath when the light hits them. You get this effect no matter how dark you layer these paints.
The special thing about these paints is that they have no pigments, they are a dye and not a pigmented paint. This makes Candy 2O exceptionally good in combination with foiled lures, or on top of pearlescent and metallic paints.
In this video I explain more about this particular paint.
What are Candies used for?
In particular a Createx Candy2o paint is a water based paint, other Candies paint are solvent based and this make them less user friendly (due to chemicals). Candy2o can not be used straight from the bottle because it is a concentrate. That means you will always have to mix in a paint medium such as Createx 4030 Balancing clear or Createx 4050 UVLS Gloss. This will be the glue that glues the Candy2o to your lure if you like.
The mixing ratios are very easy, Createx advises a 1:1 ratio. But I often use only a 1 part candy to a 4 part 4050 or 4030. And no worries - this does not need to be exact. Sometimes I use even less candy2o to keep the paint more light of color and subtle in transparency.
Do you need Candy paints as a beginner?
I would say no. These paints are more for intermediate and experienced users. The thing with candy2o and other candies as well is that you can not paint any other type of acrylic paint over a candie paint. The candy paint will bleed through the paint on top. So only Candie paints can be used on top of each other. It is perfectly possible to paint with a candy paint on top of another kind of paint. But not the other way around. So always use your candies as a last step on your lures. 
Candy2o lemon yellow and a beatiful example of how it enhances the shine of this metallic object.
5. What are pearlescent and metallic paints?
Metallic and Pearl paints are most oftenly transparent bases mixed with a pearlescent or metallic pigment. These paints make your lures shine and reflect light.
What are pearls and metallics used for the most?
Pearls and metallics are mostly used to mimic shiny fish scale patterns and shiny gill plates. These shiny pigments - if layered smoothly on top of each other - create a nice light reflecting surfaces.
Do you need pearl and metallic paints as a beginner?
This depends a little on what patterns you are planning to paint as a beginner. But it is nice to have one or two of these. They are fun to experiment with and you can achieve nice effects with these paints.
Pearlescent paints from Createx, available in a wide range of colors.
These pearlescent paints from Vallejo are colorshift paints. Which means that they change color depending on the angle of the light.
Do you want to know more on how to use these?
So to conclude: Which airbrush paint do you need to get started on airbrushing fishing lures?
I always tell people to think about what lure patterns they want to paint first. If you can figure out those first, then it is easier to decide what paints you will need to paint these patterns. You can always upgrade your arsenal later. I recommend starting with some opaque and semi-opaque paints or transparent basic colors. Plus one or two pearlescent paints. With this you can already paint a lot of simple patterns.
You can find our range of paints here in our own webshop.
If you have any questions about this feel free to contact us @ info@lureblanks.eu or on social media.
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Lure building regards,
Wannes