I am about ready to wrap the guides to my rod (at last!).
I have chosen a simple pattern and colour scheme- siver and black.
I was thinking of using Gudebrod HT metallic 9002 siver for the under wrap and
NCP 0001 black for the top.
Can I use the HT metallic black instead or, is it too week and too much a pain
to make it worth it?
ALSO...
When using an underwrap, How many coats of epoxy should be applied before
placing on the guides and top wraps?

You can certainly use the HT if you wish. HT is not a weak thread and I don't see why it would be a problem to work with.

When I do underwraps, I just throw a coat of permagloss on top to help with a level "overwrap" and help with getting rid of bubbles. If your tension is correct, you shouldn't have a problem even if you don't put some finish on the underwrap. A coat of permagloss or even some CP just gives me less bubbles to deal with.

I'm just a rookie but I do not coat my underwraps with anything. I didn't know any better at first and I was just anxious to get the rod done so I wrapped the whole thing in one sitting and applied my first pass of epoxy that night. It wasn't until many rods later that I realized some people coat their underwraps to different degrees. I do not see anything wrong with coating underwraps but I have such a problem with "Instant Gratification" that I don't want to wait for that first coat to cure. Kinda petty on my part but that's just me. I've been meaning to try it and may do so on my next rod just to see the difference for myself.

I'm like Fishski, I've never coated the underwraps with anything.

HT Metallic is strong thread, wrapping guides with it should be fine.

Andrew, you learned from experience that it is not necessary to coat the underwrap 1st before wrapping. For years first I have been applying a thin wetting coat of finish to seal the thread, then a thicker coat 24 hours later to build up the coating. If you use a smaller diameter thread on the underwrap, and a thicker thread for the overwrap, the guide wrapping goes much easier. Eric, personally I would shy away from NCP black - it can look an "off-black" under finish, with some gray to it - not a true dark black. Instead use black nylon which does not turn translucent on you and remains dark black.

Lou

I also dont like to wait the extra drying time of an additional layer of epoxy, but after several experiments, I do like my coated unwrapping work berter. 2 things that I have noticed:
1. The guide wraps are much 'smoother' and easier to work with because there is no 'grooves' from the underwrapping, especially in different diameter threads.
2. I feel that the expoxy 'seal' of the thread is better. I dont have to fight too hard to get expoxy under the curve of the guide foot and the underwrap, because that thread is already cover from the pre-coating.


I am building saltwater offshore rods, so I am not as worried about the extra firmness or possible effects on the rod characteristics, I am more worried about durability and reliablity. For light weight fly rods, I might use a different method. I guess either way works and it is just a matter of preference.


-John