Saw the post a few down about how regular and NCP black threads finish out differently in appearance. Assuming that color preserver is not used, as I understand it, the NCP black thread doesn't end up looking truly black once finished, and the regular black thread does. What about the regular black thread fading because it isn't treated with color preserver? Will it end up looking "less black" than the NCP thread once faded? Just curious. I am only a recreational builder, so I don't have a lot of experience with stuff like this. So far have only used black thread to build a surf rod. Used NCP black size "D" to tie down the end of the cork tape grips. Was pleased with the way that I was able to build the thread wraps up and that the black thread "disappeared" once finished, but frankly didn't notice it not being truly black. I'm sure I wasn't thinking scrutinizing it along the lines of the above and might notice it if I go back and look now. Have several rod in progress now, one actually has some black NCP size A trim bands and several of the others will have cork tape tie downs with black thread. In each case, I was looking for true black color. What should I do/expect?

Just out of curiosity, how does black HT metallic stack up? Seems like I saw a post before about it not looking black either once finished.

Thanks!

Scott Hunt

Thank you!

Scott Hunt

I've never seen regular black nylon thread fade to any degree that was noticeable. In fact, thread fading is more of a problem with lighter colored threads.

NCP black looks, to me, more like very dark navy blue. Regular nylon with direct epoxy appears much more like true black.

.............

I tried some HT black metallic in A, after finish was put on it didn't look any different to me than reg black thread.
I'm old, too me I can't see any diff in reg nylon and ncp black after finish is put on. I prefer reg nylon black cause it's stronger than ncp

Regular black nylon looks black when finished. NCP black assumes a grayish, chalk looking, tint to it. Still black, but the black level is not that dark..

Best for you to buy small spools NCP and nylon black and see it for yourself.. While you're at it try using color preserver on the nylon thread to see what it does to the thread color. I was involved in another discussion on the color preserver thread elsewhere on this board and thought I'd suggest this.

Lou

Color preserver doesn't do anything to prevent fading in the sun; most likely just the opposite. Fading can only be slowed by UV inhibitors. CP prevents a change of color when epoxy finish is applied to the thread wrap.

Oh NO, Not CP again Go get'em Lou & Putter LOL

Hank

Scott,
Currently there is a test going on with 7 types of black thread, with no CP and two brands of CP, using permagloss, flex coat and LS supreme, high and low build of each.

Depending on the combinations of finish, so far it looks like HT metallic and regular nylon are the most black and least resistant to fading, though regular nylon is fading. This is after just three weeks of sun. NCP is not looking too good across the board, and was similar to me when they were all finished to the two types of Rayon used. They all had noticeable hints of blue/purple in the right light/angle just on application of finish. What is happening with rayon is amazing. A builder here who is a former photochemist that is involved with this test cannot explain what is happening with this stuff.

That's as much detail as I am comfortable with at the moment. There will be more posted later when more definitive results are noted and can be shown good in a pic. I will say this though. You couldn't pay me to use black silk right now on anything, and all of my black rayon is going into the trash. I wouldn't use it to mend a ripped seam in a shirt if I was trying to match black on black.