finished wrapping my first rod, yesterday, I put color lock on and let it set over night, this morning when I started to put the epoxy on the thread wrap, at the last minute I chose the urethane instead, so far so good, I realize its going to take quite a few coats for a glass like smooth feel,
my question is, pros and cons for epoxy and urethane,?
second question, i seem to have a few nicks and or dull spots on the rod blank itself. mostly due to my work habits, how do I polish the blank back to a nice shine, and do I use the same urethane or epoxy or something different.?

Urethane will take many, many coats to build much depth. It will never be quite as smooth and glass-like as epoxy. It is very tough, however, and actually more resistant to abrasion than epoxy.

Epoxy will get the job done in just one or two applications. Well done, it's glass-smooth. The only downside, for some, is that it can be a bit tricky to use and get good results with.

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Thanks, I had 4 coats on and it looked pretty good, it was pretty even but you could still feel the thread a little. added fifth coat,
your right its just don't smooth out like I would like. should have stayed with four.

just for the general knowledge of it, can you put epoxy over urethane, for a smoother coat or should you sand the urethane with 600grit sand paper to know shine off and then maybe add one thin coat of urethane, providing you can thin the urethane of course.

Sanding guide wraps is tough - you've got that guide foot in there which makes the wrap uneven on one side.

Yes you can add epoxy over urethane, but if you're going to do that in the future, might as well skip the urethane altogether.

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for a first rod, working at the kitchen table the urethane turned out ok after all. It does not have the high build up like epoxy but looks pretty good, I am encouraged enough and definitely learned enough that I am goint to try it again. Just from what I learned on this one the next one should be twice as nice. and this one looks pretty good.

Your hooked!!!

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Jim,

You also have access to one of the world's best rod builders within just a few miles of your home. And I know he'd be happy to help you with your finishing routine, if you wanted to approach him about it.

Check the builders' directory here on this site for Buddy Owens in Summerfield.

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Tom, the buddy owens listed that I see is greensboro, which is fine, i am there every day, but he has no email address that I can see in the directory. between greensboro and winston salem, there are several. I would not mind getting a second opinion from one of them, you have any other sugestions or should I just pick one,
thanks.