Last weekend I started pouring and painting my own jigheads. Casting wasn't too bad but painting turned out to be more challenging than I expected. I built a fluid bed out of 3" PVC but that just wasn't cutting the mustard. To use a 3" fluid bed you need a pump with some serious arse! Back to the drawing board. Today I came up with the design detailed below.
The purpose of the fluid bed is to suspend the powder paint in a 'cloud' so when you 'swish' the jig through you get a much more even coat of paint and much less chance of clogging the eye. Plus the process saves paint.
I wanted to post pics and a step by step guide to help those that may want to try it. By no means do I have any idea what I'm doing

I'm just a regular schmuck who has too much time on his hands.
Here's a pic of the items used to build the bed:
Items are:
2" PVC male adapter
2" PVC femal adapter
aquarium air pump (the bigger the better)
airline tubing
board (or anything you want to use as a base. i've seen lexan used as well)
tee connector
coffee filters or brown paper bags - lunch bags you used to take to school (bags work best!)
First step is to drill a hole in the female adapter. you'll end up sticking the tee connection in here so drill a hole of appropriate size.
Second step is to glue the female adapter to the base. I used caulk but I'm sure there are better choices. Like I said I really don't know what I'm doing.
Second pic showing the hole:
Next I rig up the air pump. I bought a Top Fin brand pump. The box claimed it could be used in aquariums up to 125 gallons and has two outputs. I think the two outputs part is pretty crucial so try to get one of those if you can. This particular model cost $20.
I also put a control valve in one of the lines to control airflow.
This pic shows the hook up:
Next I cut a circular shape out of the paper bag a few inches larger in diameter than the make adapter. Place this under the male adapter and screw it into the female adapter.
screw it down and you're set!
fill the cup with powder (not too little, not too much) and turn the pump on. start with the control valve completely closed and adjust as needed to create a nice puffy cloud of powder paint. there may be 'volcanoes', i still have some, you'll have to adjust the air flow to reach a happy medium.
Feel free to add any comments or suggestions.