Rod Building, Changing Color On A Blank

[JeziHogg]

Would Krylon Fusion work on a rod blank? If not what kind of paint should I use?

Do I have to prep the blank? Sand off the gloss? Get oils off? If I need to sand, what grit?

[BobP]

Would it work?  Maybe but it's designed to adhere to plastics, not epoxy impregnated graphite, so you'll just have to try it and see.  I would definitely degrease the blank with denatured alcohol after sanding it with 400 grit paper.  You don't want to shoot new paint on a gloss surface - especially since you don't know what that surface is.

[roadwarrior]

I'll move this over to "Tacklemaking" and see what kind of response you get.

 

-Kent

[.RM.]

Would Krylon Fusion work on a rod blank? If not what kind of paint should I use?

Do I have to prep the blank? Sand off the gloss? Get oils off? If I need to sand, what grit?

Take yourself over to Rodbuilding.org and ask this question there...

 

http://rodbuilding.org/list.php?2

 

[webertime]

Mudhole sells the "plastic" spraypaint and says it works (get it at a hardware store for 1/2 price).

[.RM.]

I wouldn't if you have never built a rod of any kind...

 

You don't just buy a can of Fusion and spray the blank. It is a butt load more involved than that....
You will have to CAREFULLY remove all guides and wraps/finish.

The blanks finish has to be CAREFULLY removed, you will have to use the step method of sanding start low (400) and end fine with the grit numbers (800 or better to finish).

Don't work to course on the blank, groove the graphite when removing the old finish, and your rod is toast...
Once the blank is painted dried and ready, you will need to re-wrap the guides back on and finish their wraps....
 

Good Luck & Tight Wraps!

[BobP]

Different strokes for different folks, but I never paint a rod blank.  I've taken plenty OFF to lighten the blank but to add weight to a blank when I don't have to just seems wrong if you care about performance and not just "looking good".  I certainly wouldn't go to all the trouble required to do it right just to get a different color.  JMHO

[Diablos]

I'm not a huge fan of painting blanks.

 

I leave that to the manufacturers.

 

CTS blanks seems to have the most colored blanks Ive seen.

 

http://www.ctsfishing.com/colors.php

[.RM.]

I'm not a huge fan of painting blanks.

 

I leave that to the manufacturers.

 

CTS blanks seems to have the most colored blanks Ive seen.

 

http://www.ctsfishing.com/colors.php

X2.............

If I wanted anything more than gloss black or matt black, that is the blank mfg that I would contact.

They will also do custom color on runs...

 

Tight Lines & Tight Wraps!  

[Downeaster2010]

Not a problem.  Get some Rustoleum, or other spray paint.  I usually use black, but any color will work.

Coat with a rod epoxy for a good job after paint dries, and guides are on.  I have two I plan on doing this

winter.  I plan on changing the color.  I have painted hundreds without  a problem.  light sand the blank

prior to painting, and prior to clear coat.  Use a rod glue, and finish.

[Jrob78]

Not a problem.  Get some Rustoleum, or other spray paint.  I usually use black, but any color will work.

Coat with a rod epoxy for a good job after paint dries, and guides are on.  I have two I plan on doing this

winter.  I plan on changing the color.  I have painted hundreds without  a problem.  light sand the blank

prior to painting, and prior to clear coat.  Use a rod glue, and finish.

Are you saying to coat the entire rod with rod epoxy after you paint it?  Like ThreadMaster or Flex Coat, something like that?  Like the other guys have said, when I build a rod, I take care to use minimal finish, minimal thread and the lightest components I can.  Coating a rod in spray paint and then in rod finish seems insane to me.  Other than having a colorful rod, it would completely kill the performance of the blank.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Epoxying the entire length of a rod will add a lot of weight and deaden the action. If you want to paint an inexpensive blank the Krylon Fusion color and clear coat will work. Some guys have them shot with automotive bumper paint by a bodyshop but that costs. Any paint job relies on proper prep for good results.

[Downeaster2010]

It will not change the action of the blank, but you use the thinner epoxy, as the larger offshore rods use the thicker

kind.  You will see a better rod, and a much better looking rod.  Yes you spray the entire blank, and coat the

entire blank will thin epoxy..  If you look you will see both kinds.  It will not add a lot of weight as mentioned by

some.  Do as I say and you will be happy.

[Jrob78]

It will not change the action of the blank, but you use the thinner epoxy, as the larger offshore rods use the thicker

kind.  You will see a better rod, and a much better looking rod.  Yes you spray the entire blank, and coat the

entire blank will thin epoxy..  If you look you will see both kinds.  It will not add a lot of weight as mentioned by

some.  Do as I say and you will be happy.

I guess if you're talking about big boat rods and other off shore rods, it wouldn't make as much difference.  There is no way I would ever do that to a bass rod, it would ruin it.  There is a noticeable difference in balance and weight after you apply finish to the guides, let alone the whole rod.  

[Downeaster2010]

Geez. Its not going to ruin the blank.  You use rod finish, not appliance paint. I have built and sold rods for over 30 years, and

some for as much as 1200 bucks.  I also coat my fly rods, and they are premo.  I am out of this discussion, do as you want.

[JeziHogg]

I was just wondering because St Croix only offers there blanks in the pre determined colors I think.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Fusion is the same thing as the Mudhole plastics paint. You need something like this or automotive fender paint that has some give once dried. I don't like adding weight with finish and certainly not a brushed on paint, but if you decide to go through with painting, prep is crucial.

[S Hovanec]

You use rod finish, not appliance paint.

 

 

What kind of 'finish' are you talking about?  If I would coat the entire blank with the thread finish I use, it would DOUBLE the weight of most of my freshwater blanks.  Most do not cure totally hard, leaving a semi-soft coat that is susceptible to scratching and gouging.  That type of finish is not intended as a blank coating.  Permagloss, Lumiseal and other urethane clears are very thin and cure very hard, yet remain flexible.  They are the product of choice when coating the entire blank.

[S Hovanec]

I was just wondering because St Croix only offers there blanks in the pre determined colors I think.

 

Each series is offered in it's own distinct color.

 

Forest Green Pearl.........SCV Spin/Cast/Steelhead (Legend Elite)

Blue/Green Flip...............SCV Spin/Cast (Legend Xtreme)

Gallatin Green.................SCV Freshwater Fly (Legend Elite)

Belize Blue.......................SCIV Inshore (Legend Inshore) and SCV Salt Fly (Legend Elite)

Cobalt Blue Pearl.............SCIV Spin/Cast/Musky (Legend Tourney)

Burgundy..........................SCIV/SCII Fly (Imperial)

Carbon Pearl....................SCIII Spin/Cast/Steelhead/Carp (Avid)

Copper Pearl....................SCIII Inshore (Avid Inshore)

Red Metallic......................SCIII Surf (Avid Surf)

Canteen Green Pearl.......SCIII Fly (Avid)

Black Pearl.......................SCII Spin/Cast/Musky (Premier)

Gloss Green.....................SCII Inshore (Tidemaster Inshore)

Gloss Black.......................SCII Boat (Legend Salt)

 

Also note, Stripping the OEM paint will void the manufacturers warranty on the blank.  I can't speak for other manufacturers, but that is true of St. Croix.