I posted a couple of weeks ago asking for information about changing the color of a blank. I got a lot of good feedback and also exchanged e-mails with Mr. Ken Preston who was extremely helpful and encouraged me to jump in and build it.

Just wanted to let ya'll know how it turned out and again say thanks for all the information provided.

I am building a 3wt for native fishing and wanted a low/no gloss, "stealthy" look to the rod. I prepped the blank with a gray scotch rite pad and wiped it down with alcohol. Then I painted it with olive drab camouflage paint from krylon (2 good coats). I put on a top coat of Testors Dull Coat (I wanted krylon satin finish, but couldn't find any. The NAPA auto parts guy called the company and told me that it has been discontinued).

I am very happy with the look of the blank, although not too sure of how well the dull coat finish will hold up. All in all for a first rod, I think it is coming together very well. I have half of the guides wrapped and really like the black thread I am using adds to the look that I wanted. However I do have a question about dealing with the shiny epoxy that I will be putting over the wraps. Is there a less glossy alternative or would giving them a shot of Dull Coat suffice?

Thanks for all of the advice/info

On a scrap blank with some of your epoxy on it, play with varying degrees of sandpaper/scotchbrite. I think you can dull the existing finish and still leave it smooth with a 1000 or so grit paper.

When you do this on the blank, mask off the blank around the wrap so you don't nick it with the paper.
Try wet sanding, too, with some warm water. Soak your paper in the water good first.

Putter



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2005 10:55AM by Randy Parpart (Putter).

One suggestion. Next time after prepping with Scotchbrite, don' t clean with alcohol. It undoes the effect of the Scotchbrite surface prepping.

For the wraps you might consider a satin urethane. I've used the Helmsman Satin Spar as finish on the blank, but not the wraps. But think it should work. You could also keep it very low build. [www.minwax.com]