There’s no such thing as having too many lures on a typical fishing trip.
As a matter of fact, most anglers lose lures because they don’t retrieve the line fast enough or because they’re unaware of the water depth.
Customizing and painting your own lures has several benefits.
First, you can create a custom-made collection that suits the weather and water conditions. It’s also a fun project that allows you to save some money.
With the help of the best airbrush for painting lures, your job will be straightforward.
This is why we’ve prepared this detailed guide to suggest the best tools on the market, so keep on reading to learn more about them.
How To Choose the Best Airbrush for Painting Lures
There are literally hundreds of airbrushing tools on the market, so finding the right one might be a little confusing. Here are a few features to take into consideration.
Action
There are single-action and double- or dual-action airbrush guns.
A single-action airbrush delivers a fixed amount of paint, while with a double-action one, you can adjust the trigger to control the amount of paint released.
For versatility purposes, the recommendations on our list are all double-action airbrush guns.
Feed
There are three different types of feed types on airbrushes: gravity, siphon, and side feed.
Gravity-feed airbrushes have the cup on top, they can be filled with paint at any air pressure, and they’re easier to clean.
Siphon- and side-feed airbrushes are more suitable for professional users.
The siphon airbrush has a larger cup positioned underneath the airbrush and doesn’t need regular refilling.
Side-feed airbrushes hold more paint than gravity-feed airbrushes and are more difficult to clean, just like siphon-feed models.
Cup Size
A larger cup will hold more paint and will also be easier to clean. A smaller cup is suitable for detailed work.
Needle Size
Airbrushes come with different needle sizes for various applications.
For example, a 0.15 mm or 0.2 mm needle is suitable for more detailed work like a fishing lure, but a larger needle will cover a bigger area, such as the box where you store your lures.
Badger 105 Patriot
[amazon box=”B01DUOV3JE” link_id=”36740″]
When you buy the Badger airbrush, you’ll receive a polished tool with a unique needle at the end that you can remove without taking off the handle for easier cleaning.
It features an easy-glide trigger for smoother action and a 1/3-ounce cup that’s held by compression for a sturdy build. The larger cup size makes it easier to clean.
It’s a dual-action gravity feed airbrush with a braided air hose that needs no prior adjustment. You can directly connect it to any air source with a 1/4 NPT outlet.
The end of the nozzle aligns by itself, making this an excellent choice for beginners. The 0.5 mm diameter needle is suitable for most applications by hobbyists and artists.
To achieve the desired effect, it can be safely used with watercolors, acrylics, enamels, glazes, and lacquers.
If you have to paint a broader pattern, this airbrush tool will work for you. It’s compatible with a 0.3 conversion tip for more details.
Because of the needle thickness, you don’t have to thin your paint too much. But the trigger can be too sensitive and go from no paint to a lot of paint if you push too hard.
Pros:
- Versatile airbrush for beginners
- Practical nozzle for most applications
- Can be used with thicker paint
Cons:
- You need a conversion kit for more details
- The trigger can be too sensitive for some users
Iwata-Medea Eclipse HP CS
[amazon box=”B000BQKFAI” link_id=”36741″]
At first glance, the Iwata-Medea Eclipse airbrush feels more luxurious and sturdier than the tools designed for beginners. It also feels heavier to give you more control.
It’s a double-action airbrush with a gravity feed and features a self-centering nozzle. The 0.35 mm needle is suitable for the finest details, and the 1/3 ounce cup allows for easy cleaning.
The bottom of the cup isn’t narrow, so paint won’t dry quickly while you’re using it, and it also allows for easy mixing of colors in the cup itself.
You also install a 0.5 mm needle if you want a broader application.
This airbrush gun lacks a nozzle spanner, but there’s a water spanner that allows you to clean the gun’s internal parts easily.
Nevertheless, it comes with a super lube that you should use once every couple of weeks to keep the parts moving the way they should.
We would recommend this tool if you’re working with thicker acrylics and paints.
Pros:
- Sturdy airbrush gun
- Features a 0.35 mm needle for fine work
- Larger cup that doesn’t get narrow at the bottom for easy cleaning
- Comes with lube to keep the parts in good condition
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a nozzle spanner
Paasche Airbrush TG-3AS
[amazon box=”B08WHH9W7B” link_id=”36742″]
If you’re looking for a versatile airbrush for a good price, then you definitely need to consider the Paasche Airbrush TG-3AS.
It comes with three heads that measure 0.25, 0.38, and 0.66 mm in addition to a fan air cap that can apply wider application up to 3 inches for all applications, from the broadest effect to the tiniest detail.
It’s a double-action gravity-feed chrome-plated airbrush gun with an anodized aluminum handle for more durability.
It’ll help you improve your skills because it comes with a needle stop that helps with consistent paint release.
Cleaning up this tool is a straightforward task as you just spray airbrush cleaner through the brush and wipe the needle.
The 4-ounce cup is a great option if you want to mix colors and will make cleaning easier, and it is more than what you can get with other tools.
You’ll also receive two wrenches, a hanger, a 6-foot braided hose, and a 1/8″ BSP adaptor.
However, this gun needs more pressure from the compressor, and you need to disassemble the O-ring to adjust the spraying pattern.
The trigger can be a little rough at the beginning, but with some lube and a little bit of tweaking, it will work fine.
Pros:
- Comes with three heads and a fan air cap.
- Durable handle and easy cleaning.
- A needle stop for consistent paint release.
Cons:
- The spraying pattern might not be consistent and needs a little tweaking.
- The handle can be rough for some users.
Harder & Steenbeck Infinity CR
[amazon box=”B0125X4QHM” link_id=”36743″]
If you’re looking for an airbrush for detailed work, then the Harder & Steenbeck Infinity CR is the one you need.
With a 0.15 mm needle, this tool will be your go-to tool when you want to create the tiniest details. Of course, it also comes in other variants for a broader application.
This is a gravity-feed double-action airbrush with an elegant chrome design.
The triple coating of copper, nickel, and chrome guarantees sturdiness and durability and is suitable for those who suffer from nickel allergies.
Moreover, this coating protects your tool from oxidation, so it’ll always look as good as new.
We love the needle and PTFE seals that prevent unwanted air and color output for a flawless result.
In addition, it features a responsive trigger with an adjustable tension spring and comes with a special brush set for cleaning the nozzle and a wrench for easy adjustment.
The cup has a capacity of 0.067 ounces or 2 ml, so it’s quite small compared to other tools on our list, but you can easily upgrade it to 5 ml.
However, since you’ll be using this one for detailed work, then it might just contain the right amount of paint. Due to the small amount of paint, it can easily dry on the surface.
Pros:
- Durable triple-coated airbrush gun
- Fine needle for the tiniest details
- Adjustable tension
- Ability to customize with other needles and cup sizes
Cons:
- Cup holds a tiny amount of paint
- Gets clogged easily, so it needs regular maintenance
Master Performance Airbrush
[amazon box=”B002KJDXHQ” link_id=”36744″]
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a functional airbrush, as the Master Performance Airbrush is an affordable yet versatile tool.
It comes with three-needle sizes – 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5 mm needles for all types of work from fine detail to up to 2-inches wide background spray, so it’s a great choice for a beginner.
This is a dual-action gravity-feed tool with a 1/3-ounce cup, which is adequate for different types of projects, and the handle allows for flushing air to prevent clogging.
In addition, it features a trigger adjustment to control the paint flow and a quick release coupler to control airflow.
It comes with an adaptor and a mini wrench, and you can loosen up the exposed parts for easy cleaning.
The O-ring on this airbrush is a bit delicate, so you need to handle it with care so it doesn’t break while you’re changing needles.
Pros:
- Affordable airbrush gun
- Comes with three different needles
- Easy to adjust
Cons:
- The O-ring can easily break
Best Type of Paint for Airbrushing Fishing Lures
A homemade fishing lure will look as good as the one that you buy from the store if you apply the right paint.
Painting fishing lures will have an impact on your success as an angler as some colors are less visible, depending on the water condition and the weather.
Airbrushing lures is a fast and practical way to apply the paint of your choice, and with the help of the right airbrush gun and paint, your job will be fast, easy, and successful.
To help you find the best type of paint for airbrushing fishing lures, we came across different options but chose the following as our top choice.
Createx Colors
[amazon box=”B000NW182O” link_id=”36745″]
These colors come in a pack of 6 colors, each measuring 2 ounces, so you receive a lot of paint for a good price.
There are several types, but the opaque set is suitable for most home décor projects, gifts, and fishing lures.
This is acrylic paint with fast pigment that can be used for interior and exterior applications.
The paint typically dries within 30 seconds to a minute, but you need to wait at least 10 to 15 minutes so it’s completely dry.
After that, you can apply another coat, although this might not be necessary because the colors are intense and opaque.
They dry to a matte finish, so you’ll need a clear coat if you want your lures to be shiny.
Before use, you need to thin this paint because it can be too thick for airbrushing. You can also insert a marble in the bottle and shake it well before use to ensure thorough mixing.
Pros:
- Affordable set with opaque colors
- Fast-drying formula
- Suitable for various applications
Cons:
- Needs to be thinned before use
Tips for Airbrushing Lures
Painting fishing lures by hand is a fun hobby; however, airbrushing them is faster and easier. Here are some tips to help you master airbrushing lures.
- Get high-quality lure blanks. There are a lot of models online and in anglers’ stores, so make sure that they’re well made.
- Rub the lure with rubbing alcohol to remove all debris and guarantee a smooth and uniform application of color.
- Cover the bill of the lure with tape to prevent the paint from covering it.
- Get a special compressor that is designed to airbrush lures. It should be adjustable and able to produce at least 40 psi.
- Attach the compressor to the airbrush gun and use a pressure setting between 30 and 40 psi.
- Let the paint dry before applying another coat if necessary.
- Make sure that the paint has completely dried, and then apply a coat of epoxy to make it waterproof.
Conclusion
Airbrushing fishing lures is a fun project, and there are several good models of airbrushes on our list.
Each one of them comes with a set of pros and cons, so take a look at our list, and you’ll definitely find one that works for you.
