I am ready to put the finish on my rod. In the past I have used the normal flex-coat but seem to always get a little to much on the rod. This time I have bought the flex-coat lite formula to try. I went to there web site and looked at there tips and they recommend doing a primer coat in which they mix a little acetone into the first coat. Have any of you tried this and had good results.

i did try this. i used denatured alcohol though. worked very well. i thinned it to a ratio of 1part alcohol/4 parts epoxy. no scientific reason for those proportions but it soaked the wraps very quickly and cured normally with no buildup. second coat was full strenght and
looked great. one thing though. the alcohol cooks off rather fast so you have to get the finish on quickly before it thickens. the alcohol may be safer to handle than the acetone.

The acetone will "cook off" or evaporate faster than alcohol. Ralph

Use a " Mid- Temperature " lacquer thinner. It will slow down the set time You can get a pint at Home Depot

This thread could get on thin ice real quick. First 1 part in 4 is 25% by volume. This is not a small amount. It far exceeds the recommended dilution by Flexcoat with acetone for "first" coat applications. The thread implies that there are various options for "thinners" for thread coating two part resin systems. These finishes were designed specifcally for the application and "willy nilly" messing with the proportions places you at risk for a failure.

Gon Fishn

I do about 10-20 " Drops " to a 3 CC of mix

Heed Bill Stevens advice here, and while Flex Coat mentions doing this, actual epoxy formulators will all tell you not to.

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

I have been in contact with builders that have been doing this for " years" and have not had any problems! I guess that is why some blank companies thin there finish??

I've considered thinning the finish as well and I was just wondering if it is better to mix the thnner before mixing the two parts or mixing it in after I have mixed the two parts in my usual thorough manner?
Thanks
Patrick Vernacchio

If you prefer working with a lower-viscosity finish, why not just choose one of the many that are made that way right out of the package. It seems like finishes run the full spectrum from water to molasses so just pick what works best for you and use that. My 2 cents.

Good point Steve. And you spent your 2 cents very well. However, I already use Flex Coat Lite and Klear-Coat Lite. I'd like it a little more thinner. I really like the low-build look, just a hair more than seeing or feeling each individual wrap. I make do on all jobs by wicking as much away as possible. I just don't think I get enough off consistently.
Patrick Vernacchio

well, i admit that the 1/4 ratio was kind of a guess on my part and an experiment. it did work however and cured hard. i think the alcohol eventually just "evaporates" out and leaves you with epoxy. the second cote was full strength flexcoat light and the wraps are solid and clear. after all is said and done it seems like it was a solution without a problem.

I use Flex Coat lite exclusively and don't see a need to thin it. It already penetrates wraps pretty well, and does so quicker than high build FC.

If your worried about a penetrating coat of finish, try using Permagloss as a base coat. It's already mixed, and is very thin (when your using a fresh bottle). But be sure to fill any tunnels along the feet as this is sometimes a problem with the Permagloss.

Kevin