Has anyone used this stuff? I am currently dissatisfied with the stuff I am using and think there may be something better out there.
What are you using now? The guys at the place where I buy my supplies recommended the stuff from Pac Bay. i’d been using flex coat for years, tried LS supreme, back to flex coat. I really do like the Pac bay stuff now. Just something about the way it flows.
Currently using the LS and I hate it. Tried several different things with it and still ugly ugly ugly. Well you know how ugly you got the rod I built in the swap. I feel so horrible about that rod. I think it is the worst I have ever done. Lots of bad juju with that thing.
Bob,
All of the finishes out there are good ones…but they are all a little different and some work better for some folks than they do for others.
I ‘know’, from all the data and ‘facts’ that PermaGloss is the strongest, clearest, and supposedly easiest to use wrap finish out there. Tried it and did okay with the first rod, but after that I just couldn’t get it to come out right.
Decided I needed an ‘epoxy’, so I tried LS…didn’t like it a bit…tried one part Gudebrod…okay but still left something to be desired.
Tried Flex Coat and loved it. Still using it with zero problems. Rods come out the way I’d envisioned them.
I know guys who do beautiful work with every finish out there, but for me, Flex Coat is the ‘one’ that works best.
I’d say try the different finishes until you find one that works for you, then just stick with it.
Buddy
Yep used the AMtak stuff when i first started out building and hated it so bad I tossed out a 3/4 full 4oz set. I’ve tried many finishes…Amtack, Flex Coat, Diamond, Permagloss, and finally ended up with Threadmaster and have never looked back.
Been using TM for the past 2.5-3 yrs now and feel it is easier to work with and self levels better than anything else I have tried.
I agree with “buddy” that you should try them all till you find one that “works for you”…but Bob I will say this, give Threadmaster a try and I think you’ll be very happy with it. Great stuff.
Steve
Whats the LS doing to / for you that you dont like? I used it in the past and FlexCoat and didnt care for FlexCoat at all…because it was always too “thick” for me…but I “think” there is a lighter version out on the market now…??
I still have several LARGE bottle of LS in the basement…and used it on rod #2 and onward but LS went thru some changes a few years back. They changed the formula about ( they said 2 times…I think about 5 times…lol) and went from a good product to pure **** ( doo-doo) and back to whatever it is now…??
How you mixing and how you applying the LS…??
Another BIG thumbs up for threadmaster here. It is fast becoming the finish of choice on the big rod building forums. Mixes easily, great pot life, goes on great, and bubbles are easy to dissipate.
Does anyone use rod varnish or just epoxy?
Bass Bug,
If by ‘rod varnish’ you are talking about the Gudebrod one part wrap finish, then yes, I’ve used it with decent results. Still not as clear as an epoxy, and you need multiple coats for a good build. The water clean up is nice, and if you aren’t in a rush, four or five thin coats over a few days gives a nice finish.
They also make a ‘rod varnish’ that is advertised for coating an entire rod…I see no need to do that on a modern fly rod blank and it’s too thin for a good wrap finish. If you want something ‘multi coat’ the urethanes are superior to lacquers or varnishes with the same amount of effort.
Buddy
Buddy,
I’m working on my 4th rod and have used Gudebrod rod varnish on all my rods. By rod #3 I figued out it takes 11 coats of varnish to get a perfect finish. Never had any issues with bubbles, the finish is crystal clear and mutliple coats lets me shape the finish to a perfect profile. After applying to all wraps on a rod section I turn it in my hands for 10 min in front of the TV, then I can put it in cradles and work on the next section. 2 or 3 coats for whole rod is easy while watching any hour long show. I build for myself, so there’s no hurry to rush it.
I re-wrapped all the guides on G.Loomis spinning rod for a ‘BassMaster’ freind (non-fly angler). I was suprised at easy the factory guides came off once an incision down the top of the foot was made. They just peeled right off. The only part of the epoxy that was stuck to the rod was the thin band on the edge of the wraps with no thread under it.
Epoxy only coats the top of the thread, whereas the first 2 coats of varnish soak in the thread. the 3rd starts to look a bit glossy, and the 4th finally gives a coating. 5 through 11 then build up the profile and taper the the edge down to what I call the ‘barrel’ look.
I started with flex coat light and it worked OK – had to flame it to get it smooth but still had some ripples. Never got the nice build and smooth finish that I wanted although it was acceptable.
Then tried permagloss. Without questions it is the easiest to use – goes on easy, dries fast but I didn’t like it because it didn’t build up the way I wanted it to. After many layers, it still didn’t build up – looked the same as the first coat. After talking to another rod builder, he said it is primarily designed for bamboo rods where you don’t typically want the build up and tapered out wraps. I hated the way the rod came out and finally I ended up applying Thread Master Lite over the permagloss and was able t o get the finish I wanted. Now the rod looks pretty good.
Now, I primarily use Thread Master Lite. I like the smooth finish and how it is somewhat self leveling. I have found that it is sensitive to mixing ratio, time of mixing and temperature. As long as you pay attention to detail, it comes out really nice- smooth as glass and blends into the blank really nicely. Flaming not needed.
Hope this helps.