Frustrations on first rod

[dchance]

Ok, I have slowly but surely started my first rod. I understood going into this that this rod would be usable. Maybe not the prettiest, but usable. Got the handle and seat done. Looks fine, not great, but fine. Did a little bit of spinning in front of the seat, behind the grip and in front of the butt. The blank is dark blue and I was using dark blue thread and white thread. Got done and looked good. I was impressed with my first effort. I then decided to add the rod finish. I have basically been going off of tips from mudhole.com and others, and all say to "add rod finish" So I bought U-40?? rod finish and painted it on. this is where disappointment set in. First of all, the white soaked up the finish and you can see the blue blank through the thread. Now looks grayish. also, How do I get it to dry smooth and shiny. I have only added 2 coats so far so will it just turn out good after numerous coats, or do I need to do something different. It is really rough definitely looks "homemade".

Help appreciated.

[PII Magnum]

when you put the rod finish on you need to have some kinda drying motor. I think

[Obed]

from what I have read, not from personal experience, light color thread especially white will turn transluscent when epoxy is applied. This can mitigated some by using NCP thread, or by adding CP (color preserver) to regular thread. However, I understand this to be only a little bit of a help. The best way to preserve white or light colored thread is to A) do an underwrap, B) paint white under the wrap, or C) glue mylar tape to the blank under the thread. Sounds like you used a color preserver (U-40), if it is the CP and not the cork seal. I do not know the drying times for that product for primary and secondary coats, if that would factor into it.
That is supposed to be a good product, so I would assume you need to do one of the three steps above.
Sorry, I know this is not helpful as you have already applied the finish.
The rod is still "usable", and has served it's purpose as a training tool/ fish catcher.
Do not get discouraged. How could you know what you did not know?
You just have to choose, start over, or start a new one.....
Good luck and keep building!

[Bassn81]

The only way to make white thread really stay white in my experience, NCP or NOT, even with or without Color Preserver, is to have a light background behind it, such as a painted blank, or a white under wrap with a coat or two of CP. As for finish I'll try to find the video on you tube of it. It is a very simple process, but hard to explain, once you get the hang of it you will be fine. The biggest problem I see is the words "paint it on" you really just lower the brush to the blank and rotate the blank beneath it. And if it is lumpy you have too much on there. I'll see if I can find that video and article for you.

[dchance]

when it dries it feels like sandpaper. How do I get it smooth and high gloss? Will that come as I apply more coats?

[thedude]

sandpaper cuz its sticky or tacky? or because its bumpy?

if its sticky/tacky you probably didn't get a good mix... either not equal parts or not mixed well enough.

if its bumpy, use less epoxy, apply and let the rod sit for a few minutes.... the finish will drip off the bottom - use your brush and take the excess. Rotate 45* and repeat.... once you get all the way around, put it on a slow 3-5rpm dryer for at least a few hours.

[Fatman]

dchance

The best I can do for you is to send you to http://www.rodbuildingforum.com and check with the guys there.. They do some amazing work and even first timers are turning out great looking rods with the help the more experienced are giving them.

Good bunch of guys, you will have to register but it's free.

Fatman

[ReelDoc]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dchance &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">when it dries it feels like sandpaper. How do I get it smooth and high gloss? Will that come as I apply more coats?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

If it's rough, there's a good chance you got bubbles in the rod finish when mixing it. Bubbles are a giant PITA on rod finishes! You don't stir it - rather, sort of "fold" is so as not to introduce bubbles. If that doesn't make sense, ask you wife how she "folds in ingredients" when cooking - especially baking.

Good Luck and weclome to ANOTHER ADDICTON! I haven't built a rod since I opened my shop in 2003. I'm looking forward to getting back into it once we get settled in the new place after we retire. Heck, i might even finish up the rod I started back then!!

[dchance]

It is a one part finish that does not need mixing so I do not think it is bubbles. I read that this is a very thin finish and needs quite a few coats to "build" to the desired level. Guess I should have used a high build epoxy. The stuff I am using is Dura Gloss or something like that.

[TonyMc]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dchance &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It is a one part finish that does not need mixing so I do not think it is bubbles. I read that this is a very thin finish and needs quite a few coats to "build" to the desired level. Guess I should have used a high build epoxy. The stuff I am using is Dura Gloss or something like that.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Your using Permagloss. Duragloss is a 2 part.
I don't have any experience with Permagloss, but I would imagine that since it's a 1 part epoxy that it's very thin. If that's the case I would not use it without a rod dryer or it will fall fast causing wrinkles in the finish.
Just keep at. You'll get the hang of it. On your next rod try using a 2 part epoxy and applying it with a spatula instead of a brush. The outcome will be day and night. It was for me at least.

[shfishinsticks]

You used Permagloss. It requires many coats to build up any kind of depth. No matter how many coats you use, it will always look kinda bumpy, like you can see every thread. To achieve a smooth, deep looking finish, you need to use a 2 part finish.

As for the thread going transluscent, the guys above covered it pretty well.

[Bassn81]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by shfishinsticks &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You used Permagloss. It requires many coats to build up any kind of depth. No matter how many coats you use, it will always look kinda bumpy, like you can see every thread. To achieve a smooth, deep looking finish, you need to use a 2 part finish.

As for the thread going transluscent, the guys above covered it pretty well.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry, didn't realize you were using Permagloss. Permagloss is my preferred finish for rods with micro guides since it will do the job and weigh less than epoxy. That being said it will never build to the same depth, or have the same lustre as traditional rod finish. One thing to try with the PG is to get a tall narrow shot glass and put the finish in the bottom, only a small amount, then let it stand for about an hour before applying, it will thicken a bit, but it will still be viscous to apply since the vapor lock prevents moisture from curing the PG.