Rod Finish

[Bubba_Bruiser]

What rod finish is preferred by the rod builders here? I have tried Flex-Coat, Pro Kote, and Threadmaster. Flex-Coat is good, tuff for me to get all the bubbles out though. I don't like the Pro Kote because it stays tacky too long and gets me to start worrying. But I think I found a thumbs up with the Threadmaster. It releases bubbles pretty well and has a pretty good spread time for me. But I just thought I would ask.

[.RM.]

What rod finish is preferred by the rod builders here? I have tried Flex-Coat, Pro Kote, and Threadmaster. Flex-Coat is good, tuff for me to get all the bubbles out though. I don't like the Pro Kote because it stays tacky too long and gets me to start worrying. But I think I found a thumbs up with the Threadmaster. It releases bubbles pretty well and has a pretty good spread time for me. But I just thought I would ask.

Hey bubba, as a custom builder I have been using FC standard for all of my builds (14yrs+).

Over time you get a system of mixing and application, along with bubble release.

The best you can do is to keep working with whatever product you feel comfortable with and your system with time/practice improves.

Tight Wraps!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I stick with Flex Coat primarily because I'm used to it and know what to expect. Mixing slowly to keep bubbles from forming to begin with is important. If you pour it out onto a piece of aluminum foil and exhale on it to break the surface tension, you should have a bubble free starting point. If the thread or tunnel makes a bubble, hitting it with a alcohol flame will zap it. Everyone has their own process like RM said, keep practicing and find what works for you.

[bowtech_182]

Diamond 2 is what I have settled on.  It has great pot life and a real fast cure cycle.

[Crookedneck]

I use thread master lite for all my thread work and FC for my guides.  I don't worry about bubbles too much when I mix.  I put my epoxy on lite.  I find that several lite coats work alot better than 1 heavy one.  Which also makes for better bubble release

[S Hovanec]

I use both Threadmaster Lite and Regular.  When using CP, I apply 2 light coats of TM regular.  If no CP, I use TM Lite for the first coat to insure good penetration, then for the second coat, I use regular.

[Alpster]

I have tried several and always come back to Flex Coat. I find that if you follow Flex Coat's instructions on "how we do it" on their website you will always get good results. Especially the tip on just saturating the thread with thinned finish and using a good coat of high build 24 hours later. It eliminates bubbles coming from the thread wraps. JMHO

Ronnie

[MickD]

All these suggestions are for wrap finish, which is probably what the original intent was.  However, if you want to finish a whole rod, don't use any epoxy, use something like Permagloss, a thin, very hard, urethane one part finish.  It is not as good as the epoxies for wraps, but for a whole rod finish, it is far superior and much easier to get a good smooth finish.