I've begun using the silk threads I received, mostly for trim bands and inlays. Just playing around with cheaper, more available stuff, doing test wraps. Right now its plainly obvious that the silk goes translucent on top of going darker when wet/finished. Will CP prevent this if I decide to use the silk once I receive my goodies (thread, finish, guides, a few blanks, reel seats, REELS!!!)?

I've refinished several bamboo rods and always used Bulls-eye
shellac as a color preserver on silk threads, followed by either
Man-of-War or Helmsman spar varnish as a top-coat.

i have only used silk on three rods. cp and silk have not been a happy combination for me.

There is a product sold by Anglers Workshop called Al's Wrap Rite color preserver. It is specially made for use on silk thread. Seems to work reasonably well.

..................

Ted,
Al's is solvent based that seems to work well on Silk. I've used it before and it does prevent your thread from going transluscent (as would any color preserver). It will darken your threads, which also any other c.p. will do also. When applying Al's, they recommend a saturating coat and then rotate the rod until it dries. Follow this with a second coat as recommended, and again rotating the rod to drying.
Gudebrod #811 is a bit thick, and doesn't seem to be as uniform with silk thread. The new Glass Coat color sealant is not as thick, though it's not specifically designed for silk thread. It's something you might want to try on your own and see how it works out.

Rich Garbowski
Richard's Rod & Reel

For nearly "off-the-spool" color preserver on silk, I use Varathane Crystal clear Diamond (blue can- water based). I just did a test wrap on Pearsal's Gossamer Java Brown, came out perfect with MOW varnish over it.

Gudbrod 822 rod varnish works very well on silk,

best ive used yet nevr a surprise.


"John"