To save me from mixing up some finish for a test, is there any major difference in color between black NCP thread versus regular black thread without any CP othe than the latter being a bit translucent? Thanks.

I have found that NCP black has been coming out more of a dark charcoal rather than the regular nylon black.

The two do not finish the same black. The NCP has an off black tinge - I think it looks a little purpleish instead of black. Don't know what you are doing but do not use the Flex Coat CP on either one of the blacks. The black nylon regular does fine without any CP.

All the NCP "black" I've worked with comes out dark blue/purple (National, Gudebrod)

I've not noticed regular black nylon going translucent. I remains black and has a certain sparkle to it you don't get from NCP.

Jay

Showing my ignorance for sure...

I thought that the reason you would want to use NCP thread is that I won't fade vs. non-NCP thread. I you use regular black thread (without CP as mentioned above) won't if fade and if so is it bad enough that it ends up being "less black" that the NCP black thread finishes out?

Seems like I also saw a post about not using HT metallic black because it doesn't finish black either?

Scott Hunt

The reason that I use NCP thread is to maintain true white and light yellow, pale green, neon orange and pale (powder) blues. It seems that no matter what I do or how careful I am with these very light color non-NCP threads I always wind up with blotching and discoloration especially along the guide foot. So when needed I use NCP. If I mix NCP and non-treated threads then they may or may not get a CP application depending on the overall look I want.

I don't think NCP is any more or less "fade proof" . I don't have enough experience with HT metallic black. to comment - I think I used it only once or twice and then only as an accent thread against a very light color on a light colored rod blank. In that particular application I believe I would have been just as well served by using a size C or even D black non-NCP thread for the accent.

Scott,

CP has nothing yo do with fading, nor does NCP. CP is used to maintain the "spool" color of the thread when finish is applied. It doesn't affect fading one way or the other. NCP is opaque and, I believe, treated to maintain the color when finish is applied. IMO NCP is rather dull and looks more like paint

Mike