hello dusty
ya i use one shot emamels its a automotive paint ausome color charts also use there clear coat..may take up to six coats of clear coat but its durable good luck!!

I am new to this forum, is it better to cut out a pattern or the simply sand a bait in the form you want, I have been using a grinder with sanding discs, it works well??

propbait

I use Miniwax Polycrylic- works great, dries fast, easy to find (got mine at Walmart), and only takes a couple of coats. Be warned- when you buy it, it is a milky white color, but it does turn out clear. Good luck!

I have used water base airbrush paint for years with a top coat of water base Seal Coat
jansnetcraft.com. when seal coat sets it is as hard as 2part epox.

A few years back when I was fishing a lot of farm ponds in East Texas, I started using the Minwax Polyurethane.

Normally I dip the lure and hang it to dry before adding the hooks.

i use devcon 30 minute epoxy 1 coat and nice finish and very VERY durable