Why when the subject of using nail polish for head cement comes up, it’s always Sally Hansen’s Hard As Nails?
I’ve used Sally’s, but I’ve also used Revlon Epoxy 1000 and now I’m using Cabot’s Nail Muscle ($1.00).
I’ve never noticed any difference.
“The trout were laughing so hard at us that they considered evolving legs so they could crawl on to land and catch their breath”
Dave Barry
Its probably the name, “hard as nails”.
I agree, I have used several clear nail polish products and they seem to all work fine.
Dr Bob
Because she does some really good coordinating lipsticks and mascara’s!! LOL
Dudly;
The Lord made me do this!! Do you get funny looks shopping for “Finger Nail Polish”!! I do!! With the new colors out now I want to pick up some black and red for heads, maybe even some “Hot Pink”!! For a buck what the heck and it beats mixing epoxies!!
I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here!
Cactus AKA “Lucky Dog (Pirate Name)”
SH HAN comes in a cylindrical glass container with very bold, masculine labeling. It is not the same as nail polish, rather its a base coat.
I wouldn’t be caught dead buying Revlon products, but that Cabot’s Nail Muscle sounds intriguing.
fishyfrank nailed it. It’s the bottle…
For multi-coats on flies I like rimmel 60 second nail varnish, sets quick and saves a bunch of time 
Born to fish, forced to work.
[This message has been edited by Garic (edited 28 September 2005).]
Jack,
I have clear, black. dark blue, red, and some silver glitter nail polish. The black on red or glitter makes good eyes.
(And makes me feel pretty 
)
[This message has been edited by dudley (edited 28 September 2005).]
Any time I buy girly materials I make sure I have on my flyfishing hat and hope whoever sees me with 10 bottles of glitter wet and wild nail polish looks at my hat and not my fingers. I love using nail polish on my flies because it dries hard and shiny. It is cheap and can be purchased @ midnight if needed from the local supermarket or drugstore. I don’t think I have used heat cement in two years.
I have tried a few brands and for flytying purposes haven’t found a difference, but I did break a nail with one (just kidding).
Who has time for stress when there are fish to catch.
Nick
My wife buys it and then misplaces it.
Sally Hansen’s is all she buys that I have found. I would be willing to try others if she would be willing to buy others.
I buy my SH HAN at the Dollar Store where they sell it in a 2 pack for (you guessed it) $1.00 .
I have thought about trying to add some pigment to it, for streamers where I want a colored head. I just haven’t figured out what I could use to do that.
Clint
Wise men still seek HIM…
IMHO it’s the price but I do also use SH HIGH GlOSS at times…also have an assortment of glitters purchased at the craft store…that can be added.
Some of you actually have to go to the store and buy it? When I want to try a different color, I just raid my teen-aged daughter’s collection.
Rex
This is the perfect time of year to look for glow in the dark nail polish.
For a fantastic purple color just add a pinch
of Gentian Violet(from drug store)to clear Hard as Nails—or add a pinch of any color of the powder paints(Pro Tec), used for heat dipping jig heads, to Hard as Nails.I have even added gold or silver Micro glitter.I have also a small amount of Spike-It dip and glo worm dye to my Hard as Nails,though I cant say much for the mix of the odors of Hard as Nails and the garlic from Spike-It.
dudley,
I personally like to use “Wet & Wild” nail polish !!! It puts on a nice shiny-glassy coat for the head !!!
You guys really have to get out in the fresh air more often
Tight Lines
As long as this thread has gone off into coloring head cement, let me suggest you look at FLOQUIL brand POLYSCALE model paint as used in model railroading. It is a water base acrylic that you can easily brush on without leaving brushmarks and best of all their "white’ will even cover “black” in one coat. You can also use it under or over lacquer coatings. I’ve been using it for a long time. ++++++
Warning: We do not recommend using these products while drinking a choice German Lager, All-Malt Scotch, or even in yer un-ventilated fly tying room lol !!!