I want to test what the final product will look like on Gudebrod nylon thread or sulky.. CP etc.. Without mixing bunches of epoxy. Will nail polish come close?
Any other ideas? Thanks..

It will take a BUNCH of it. I don't think you'll ever get it as smooth or deep as epoxy.

If you're trying to see what the color will look like, just wet it with some water. Not exact, but close. Of course, let dry completely before applying epoxy.

Do yourself a favor and take a scrap peice of blank and make a bunch of different wraps on it that you want to know what they will look like. Apply epoxy to all of them, with cp on one side & no cp on the other. Once you see it in person for a bunch of different colors it will be much easier to guess what the final product will look like.

I'm not sure what you are asking. The final product of what?

I have test samples that I did for a fade test using 7 different thread mfgrs with LS supreme high and low builds, Flex Coat high and low builds, with no CP, glass coat CP and Flex Coat CP (that I STILL have to send to Myles to get in the sun... just need to mount them on a board). A sidebar that I wasn't expecting, was a difference among them even before seeing the sun. Nothing earth-shaking, but there are some subtle differences in color and/or appearance depending on what combinations are used.

So if you are looking to see if there is one thing that can see if there is a difference among threads across the board, the answer is no. The finishes and their combinations of CPs or no CP differ, believe it or not.

I can give better details on email if anybody is interested so far. I'll try and get some pics but with my crap camera, my worse photographic talents, and the subtle, yet visible (to the eye) differences, I don't know how well they will show up.

Sounds like the ticket Clyde... I have a scrap with about 30 practice wraps on it of many colors and will try that. When people speak of thread going translucent without CP, what does that mean exactly? the foot show through?
using LS..
Thanks
aka. puppy mullet

Hey Mick, temp. is over 100F for the next week or so UV is gone past the extreme section on the indicator. Still doesn't stop my wife sending me out into the sun to work.
Myles

Stack them stones, Myles!!
Greg-Depending on the color of the thread, the foot will show to varying degrees. White 00 will show thru the most. Sometimes this is a trait looked for; some like the foot to show. Tartan wraps depend on this for their appeal.

Putter

I use olive oil because it also gives you an idea of the shine you'll get from the finish also. Cut off the thread, hit it with alcohol and the blank's as good as new.
Transluscent thread does indeed show the guide foot.
If you want the visible foot under the thread to not show evidence of tapering the guide foot, you can bend the tip of the guide foot down slightly than file the back of the foot flat again to get the results you want.

Will a black marker keep the silver part (filed down) on a black foot guide. from showing through the threads?

Greg -
Yes, but test it for color fastness. Not all "indelible markers" are truely color fast. Hit it with a marker, wait3-5 minutes then dip it in lukewarm water in a shallow dish ... If you see 'staining" in the water try another marker.

Also coat the marker with CP to help keep it from bleeding through

Back to nail polish. My wife once sold Avon, when she quit she had samples in many colors. I kept them and have never tried using it on wrappings, but it is great to enhance lures with. I put it on spoons and spinner blades. I don't know if they catch more fish but they look interesting. John Butterfield

John,
I have been using my wifes nail polish as pigment for marbling, works really good.

Myles

Black markers, even Sharpies, don't dry as completely black. The best way to recover the area of the guide you have filed is to apply a lacquer-based paint. I use the Testors lacquer pens, and even after removing the guides from a finished rod, 99% of the paint remains.
Patrick Vernacchio

I've used nail polish to do a quick fix on a rod that had a busted guide and it is still going strong today 2 yrs later. Looks just like epox took about 5 coats and about 15 min. between coats. ED....

In view of the doubts expressed above regarding the colour/ light fastness of sharpies, why not do as I always have and use nail polish to cover any grind marks. Lots of colours to choose from, quick drying, cheap to use and come complete with brush.