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Thompson's Water Seal
I just signed up but I have been enjoying your website for a while now. It is great. I look forward to getting some terrific information here.
My question is that after hearing about using Thompson's Water Seal to waterproof dry flies for some time now, I finally tried it and dipped a couple of my newly tied flies in it a few days ago. They are still quite wet and oily and have been stuck in some Styrofoam in the open air ever since then. Do they dry out eventually or do they remain wet and oily? Will they leave a slick on the water if they don't dry? The colors of the body materials have also turned very dark. Did I mess up? I need help!
Thanks,
Joe
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Joe,
Simply want to welcome you to the site and just responding so you don't feel ignored. However, while sometimes I may respond to questions with my $0.02, I'll have to pass on this question because I have no experience with that product.What does the container say is the normal drying time?
Allan
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Allan,
Thanks for the welcome!
The can says about 48 hours to 45 days depending on the surface, but I think they meant if you applied it to wood or concrete, not peacock herl or poly dubbing. The Thompson people must not be fly tyers!
Joe
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Paraffin is the wax in it and it also has wetting agents. I have read about tyers using it for a long time (it is mentioned in the Tying Tips here).
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A couple of questions:
Which Thompson Water Seal product?
How old is the one you used?
Did you stir before use?
I don't use Thompsons but if I did I would use:
Thompson's? Water Seal? Sport Seal? Leather & Fabric Protector
It seems to be better suited for the type of materials used in fly tying and claims to waterproof and protect, "without leaving surfaces discolored, stiff or sticky."
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Joe
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The Clear Multi Surface Waterproofer. It was less than a week old (or I bought it less than a week before) and I shook it pretty well before using it. It hasn't left the surfaces "stiff or sticky", just greasy and wet. However, my Royal Trude is now an Oily Black Trude. Interesting, but not what I tied it to be.
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I forgot to mention that the white calf hair wing is still perfectly white, it's just the peacock and floss are now black.
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Ouch, I would not used that product (Clear Multi Surface Waterproofer) on flies!
It is solvent based and not for use on certain materials, like fabric.
Try one of the waterbased products that is OK on fabrics next time.
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Joe
[This message has been edited by flyfisherjoe (edited 27 June 2005).]
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Better yet...Buy some "Water Shed" it's first of all,Made for Flies,Dries in 24hrs,Is Permanent,Only takes a few drops per Fly.
This stuff when applied to a small piece of toilet paper and allowed to dry...will float forever when tossed in a bowl/glass of water.
seen this at the fly shop I bought it at..and is the very thing that sold me on it...
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"I've often wondered why it is that so many anglers spend so much money on,and pay so much attention to.the details on the wrong end of the fly line.If they took as much care in selecting or tying their flies as they did in the selection of the reel and rod,They might be able to gain the real extra edge that makes it possible to fool a fish that has,in fact,seen it all before" A.K.Best
"Wish ya great fishing"
Bill
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Joe,
With so many good dry fly floatants around, I would go to my local fly shop and ask what they recommend. You can get a season's supply in a nice applicator for less than six bucks. Try it---you'll like it. You may be a little old man with gray hair before that Thompson's drys. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif 8T
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You had better learn to be a happy camper. You only get one try at this campground and it's a real short camping season.