I am very reluctant to submit this post because I'm afraid the subject will be hijacked by suggesting commercially available materials. I'll have to wait and see.
My basic question is about anyone's actual experience in using basic water repellants as fly floatants.
I have tried concentrated Rain-X that is usd to make water bead up on car windshields, WD-40 that is used to help make car wiring water resistant, pure silicone oil or plain wax, as used in preserving fruit preserves, diluted with naptha and even Chapstick lip balm that prevents water from evaporating.
Has anyone else tried these, or any other, non-standard dry fly treatments? What were your conclusions?