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Post by cecil on Feb 11, 2008 4:23:02 GMT -5
How do you prevent curling and warping of fins? As some of you know fish fins can curl or warp on you during or after carding. Especially trout and salmon. What do you do to prevent this if you prefer a flatter fin? I use pieces of file folder metal strips on the outside of the fin carding while the fin is drying. I also seal the fin immediately in lacquer sealer before coating it.
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Post by fishhead on Feb 12, 2008 11:57:49 GMT -5
I have been having my fins start to get a wavy look to them after I put silkspan and fin creame on and they are. Some times it bad other times it is not.Do you just use fungicidal sealer on the fins before you apply backing and fin cream. Also can I use WA sealer or should it be laquar.
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Post by cecil on Feb 12, 2008 13:56:29 GMT -5
I have been having my fins start to get a wavy look to them after I put silkspan and fin creame on and they are. Some times it bad other times it is not.Do you just use fungicidal sealer on the fins before you apply backing and fin cream. Also can I use WA sealer or should it be laquar. Yes, the sealer is applied before you apply the backing and fin cream. What you want to do is to seal the fin with the lacquer to keep the fin from partially rehydrating from the fin cream. That is what is causing your fin to curl. Of course once you apply your backing and fin cream and have completed you finsh work, it's perfectly permissible to seal the whole fish again with the lacquer just before painting. Another thing to consider: Instead of cleaning the fin off with water and a toothbrush before sealing with the lacquer, use a solvent like lacquer thinner or acetone with the toothbrush. Don't use too much, however. I use Gary Bowen's Super Fish Sealer in an aerosol can for sealing my fins and fish. I'm sure something similar is available at a hardware or building supply store.
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Post by fishhead on Feb 12, 2008 15:51:04 GMT -5
Will it still do the job if it WA sealer.I do not have any laquer paints. I have been having my fins start to get a wavy look to them after I put silkspan and fin creame on and they are. Some times it bad other times it is not.Do you just use fungicidal sealer on the fins before you apply backing and fin cream. Also can I use WA sealer or should it be laquar. Yes, the sealer is applied before you apply the backing and fin cream. What you want to do is to seal the fin with the lacquer to keep the fin from partially rehydrating from the fin cream. That is what is causing your fin to curl. Of course once you apply your backing and fin cream and have completed you finsh work, it's perfectly permissible to seal the whole fish again with the lacquer just before painting. Another thing to consider: Instead of cleaning the fin off with water and a toothbrush before sealing with the lacquer, use a solvent like lacquer thinner or acetone with the toothbrush. Don't use too much, however. I use Gary Bowen's Super Fish Sealer in an aerosol can for sealing my fins and fish. I'm sure something similar is available at a hardware or building supply store.
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Post by cecil on Feb 12, 2008 16:18:39 GMT -5
I don't know for sure but I doubt it will work. Anyone else know?
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mrs
Spike
Posts: 52
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Post by mrs on Feb 12, 2008 18:16:08 GMT -5
It just seems like common sense that a water based sealer might not have the same desired effect as a lacquer based sealer. I wouldn't risk it. That said, if something like fin backing cream(White Lightning caulk) is applied to BOTH sides of fins/tail AT THE SAME TIME, there will be no curling. I haven't done that myself but watched a seasoned pro do it, and his word is good with me. I brush Bullseye Shellac on fins and tails as soon as they are dry. If I use something stiff like lexan as fin backing I don't have any curling trouble. I've tried silkspan and modge podge as well as lens tissue and Sobo glue, and both leave annoying wrinkles on fins and tail edges. The REAL problem for me is on big lakers and salmon when their fins curl long after they're all done. No cure I know of for that. When that happens I remove the curled fin and attach an artificial replacement. It has happened often enough that I should just use artificials all the way around.
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Post by fishhead on Feb 13, 2008 11:03:07 GMT -5
Well I do use white lightning and they are still curling.Here's a picture of a couple.Guess I better get some laquer sealer in an aerosol.Does anyone know if the polytranspar sealer is any good. That is what kind of paint I use.
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Post by cecil on Feb 14, 2008 10:20:03 GMT -5
I think all lacquer sealer is pretty much the same. You may be able to buy it locally. I use Gary Bowen's Super Fish Sealer which is pretty much available from all the suppliers.
Is it possible you are applying too much White Lightning, which may compound the problem? BTW, I use Sobo glue as my fin coating.
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Post by fishhead on Feb 14, 2008 10:54:11 GMT -5
I have a question. Doesn't putting laquer on the fins before fin cream defeat the purpose of a flexible fin or does it still make them fexible?
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Post by cecil on Feb 14, 2008 22:06:17 GMT -5
I have a question. Doesn't putting laquer on the fins before fin cream defeat the purpose of a flexible fin or does it still make them fexible? The lacquer doesn't really make them flexible. It just seals them.
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Post by fishhead on Feb 15, 2008 11:49:02 GMT -5
I no it doesnt make them flexible. That is why I said doesn't it defeat the purpose of a flexible fin.Or are they flexible after the fin cream.
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Post by cecil on Feb 15, 2008 22:32:58 GMT -5
I no it doesnt make them flexible. That is why I said doesn't it defeat the purpose of a flexible fin.Or are they flexible after the fin cream. No it doesn't. After you seal the fin and coat it with the fin coating of your choice the fin is flexible. What may defeat the purpose is the final clear coat you use. I use an automotive clear coat which stiffens them up a little. Personally I think the flexible fin this is overplayed. If the fish is dropped or abused the fin will still get damaged.
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Post by fishhead on Feb 16, 2008 16:35:45 GMT -5
Ok. I had some fins on a couple fish a little while back that I accidently bump a fin and a piece broke off.That is why I was asking about it still being flexible.
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Post by jonny on Mar 29, 2008 10:59:08 GMT -5
i know this post is old but it interests me my fins curl as well i use water base sealers and paints Cecil you seal your fish before applying fin cream or glue? I thought you weren't suppose to put fungicidal sealer on at all it make them brittle at lest thats what it says in the breakthrough manual i just did a walleye i did not seal it first took off carding let it sit for two days, cleaned them with a dry tooth brush, put on (i use van dykes) fin glue two coats very thin ,used silk span on tattered fins, its been 4 days now no curl usually they curl the next day I'm think Ive been putting the glue on to thick and its dehydrating the fin the thiner coat seems to be the same flexibility as the thicker and it looks better Ill try it on a couple more fish that might be the answer ill keep you posted on this subject and see what i come up with
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Post by cecil on Mar 29, 2008 12:18:04 GMT -5
i know this post is old but it interests me my fins curl as well i use water base sealers and paints Cecil you seal your fish before applying fin cream or glue? I thought you weren't suppose to put fungicidal sealer on at all it make them brittle at lest thats what it says in the breakthrough manual i just did a walleye i did not seal it first took off carding let it sit for two days, cleaned them with a dry tooth brush, put on (i use van dykes) fin glue two coats very thin ,used silk span on tattered fins, its been 4 days now no curl usually they curl the next day I'm think Ive been putting the glue on to thick and its dehydrating the fin the thiner coat seems to be the same flexibility as the thicker and it looks better Ill try it on a couple more fish that might be the answer ill keep you posted on this subject and see what i come up with Jon, Yes it seems like fishhead is putting his fin coating on too thick and rehyrating the fins especially without a barrier as in the lacquer sealer. That is very very likely. That is why they curl and warp. I've never use the "White Lightning" but it's possible it goes on very thick out of the tube which doesn't help. As far as putting the lacquer sealer on first making the fin too brittle I don't see that in my fins. Dudes you are putting a ton of lacquer on the fins. Just enough to seal them. Maybe two coats. Fishhead, try Sobo glue applied with those disposable foam brushs you can get at the hardware store. If you do you'll probably ditch the "White Lightning." Years ago I used to use Wasco's fin cream and had problems with it at times. At times I would get hairline cracks in it after it dried. I stopped using fin creams out of a tube and never looked back. Another thing I did to stop having problems with the trash clearcoats the taxi supply companies sell, is to go to an automotive clearcoat bought locally. Other than some minor problems cleaning the guns I have no surprises on fish anymore when I apply the clear coat. And one added bonus on the automotive clear coat is after letting the clearcoat set overnight I can handle the fish without any fear of smudges or fingerprints in the clear coat. This automotive clearcoat really, really, dries hard!
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