Andy...

Thanks for all the great information! It has given me more ideas to thrash around in my melon! lol. I can see the advantage of using the dip / flow methods for coloring the blank. It wasn't my intent to use the TM as the paint base, but to cover the paint job, when it is complete. I've seen some rods where there is a presumably spray painted area in front of the foregrip...then it fades into the blank 12" out, or so. It makes and nice area to apply the label, etc. It also makes the rod "unique", so when you see someone fishing with one, you know what it is from a distance.

What I was considering was doing a screen print...if that is the correct term. Let's say that I apply the handle, tape it off, then I paint the bottom section of the blank chartruese, out about 10-12" in front of the reel seat. I let that dry then apply a purple on the top with a little fine glitter...painting over some fine mesh to create a scale pattern. My "assumption" would be that I'd need to apply a coat of color preserver over that paint, then I could apply the Threadmaster over that, once the trim wraps had been applied.

So, that brings me back to the original question of what paint to use in the sprayer. Is that where I need to use the automotive paint for its quality properties? I saw a picture in the Fishing Tackle Retailer of Tim Hughes' paint room and there were dozens of bottles of paint on the shelves that he uses to paint crankbaits. Can I use the same kind of paint?

Here is a problem that one of my clients ran into, painting some reel seats that I was to use for his custom rods. He used a rattle can...and I believe that it was auto paint. The only thing is that there was no hardner in that paint...cause you can't mix it in the rattle can. He applied several coats of primer, the paint, then he applied 3-4 coats of clear coat...I assume from a can, as well. I applied the reel seat to the rod and during the glue clean up with denatured alcohol, the paint came right off, down to the primer. I don't want to repeat the same mistake as he did. He has an auto-body guy that is going to tape off the reel seats and repaint them with a standard auto paint.

I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to the chemical make up finishes and paints, but I'm willing to learn. Again, I plan to paint the blank, then apply Threadmaster over the paint / wraps as I would typically do. With some practice, I'm hoping that I can come up with some unique designs.

Once again, thank you all for your comments. I look forward to reading your info.

George