I paid more attention this time to what I expected from my garnet colored thread wraps, and it's true, the cp leaves the color almost black. Is there any cure for this - thinner, thicker, bad cp?

What type color preserver are you using? When applied, the CP should turn the thread a uniform dark color, but when dry, the color should come back up. You may lose a shade on darker blanks, but the color should return to near normal. Some CP's work better than others in this regard, but none of the modern acrylic or urethane/acrylics should make the thread permanently dark.

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It's gudebrod, and I thought I had noticed this before, but figured it was just my imagination. If I scratch a little at the wraps, the color comes up a little, but it's still way darker than the older wraps I have put on with this same bottle - does it "keep" OK?

It should keep just fine (Gudebrod 811?). But the color of the thread should not darken more than one shade, even on very dark blanks. I'm not sure I wouldn't try another bottle, or even switch to something like the Glass Coat Professional Color Sealant. Garnet should not appear "black" with color preserver.


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The only thing I have found that will keep wraps near "off-the-spool color is Varathane crystal clear Diamond, blue can.

Whoops, I just noticed what is probably the problem - I have been thinning the CP with brush cleaner, not alcohol as directed. Don't know how I got that in my head, but now, how can I get the CP off - alcohol?

You shouldn't thin it at all if possible, but 10% to 20% with alcohol would be okay.

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Karen, Just catching up, so,sorry if this is late. Just finnished an experiment with garnet after the same garnet finish on a light fly rod went waay dark. I was wrapping on a matte blank.

I wrapped the same garnet on a matte black blank, but this time I gave it 2 coats of CP(Gudebrod 811 and 24 hrs. between coats ).One coat of Flex Coat HB and the colors were stunning! Hopes this helps.

I have just been testing Gudebrod A size Garnet colour code # 206 with a Gudenbrod Colour preserver for some wraps I am about to start and there is no doubt that the preserver is holding more of the true colour. I only applied one coat on my sample and have read that perhaps more then one is better. Probably a problem like you said with the preserver you got. Any suggestions on colour combos with the garnet I was thinking of the dark greens but then my sample wraps starting looking a little to much like a Christmas decoration. Any other colours that people think look nice with the garnet I'm all ears.

One coat is generally all you'd need. The 2nd coat will not penetrate the first. Just don't over-thin the stuff, and don't thin it all if it's manageable enough to use as is.

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