I figure its most likely just personal preference, but I would like to hear your opinions about who makes the "best" epoxy. I was looking into buying a bigger bottle because I figure I will be building rods for a while. I thought I had it all figured out, went to the mud hole web site and clicked on epoxys. There are a lot more brands than I thought. So I decided to ask fellow rod builders their opinions.

It's not much help, but you're chasing the Holy Grail!! There's no such thing as the "Best" epoxy. Every brand out there has it's fans. You have to just find one that works for you. They all have there own characteristics and a learning curve. Most good finish work is a result of technique bot the brand of epoxy,
That being said, I loke LS Supreme high build (although I'm trying a different one right now)

Mike

Ken , the best is the one that you can get to finish the same everytime using your method, then sticking to it . I build a lot of flyrods , I like to use Permagloss for the first coat , then LS supreme for the second . I personaly think that Flex Coat High Build is the most forgiving , and easiest to use ....... just My oppinion . Which ever you decide to use , measure , amd mix carefully , and don't apply too much at once . Have Fun , JD

Got Fish ?

Glass Coat is very easy to use. LS Supreme is similar but takes longer to set up.

Kenny, don't let anyone kid you. Flex Coat is the best!

I'm kidding. FC is the best for me cuz that's what I've learned with. I've spent months trying to figure out LS, and can't. There are guys who use LS who will say the same about FC. Some think all epoxy is for the birds and use varnish.

If there was an absolute best in terms of every factor, I think it would have been found out by now and there wouldn't be so many choices. There's no right answer as to which one you should get. As JD mentioned, you gotta just bite the bullet, pick one and figure out how to use it. They all have pros and cons, but when it comes down to it, IMO, they all even out in the wash.

In my opinion there is no such animal as "the best" epoxy. I regularly use 4 different manufacturer's brands for different purposes depending on
what I'm using it for. Some of that depends on the customer too -- for 'overnight repairs' it's hard to beat the fast set up of Glass Coat for very light rods two thin coats of warmed lite build (American Tackle or Classic Rod Coat, LS Supreme) ... and I'm still hoarding some Clemen's Crystal Coat ... and I want to try out the newer finishes too. Yes, I have too much "stuff" -- that's one reason that the shop had to be redone I needed the storage space badly.

Aftcote, easy to use, longer working time and real flexible.

No learning curve to it, self leveling, anti-bubble, great stuff for a new person to not have troubles with (and did I say glossy!!!). Epoxy Coatings Company '1 Coat' available here: [www.angelfire.com] @ Bingham's (sponsor on left).

Kenny, I've trailing the finish Randy (Putter) is talking about "1 coat", I was skeptical about another finish that could do all the things required. I have to say this stuff comes pretty close and as Putter said glossy it is, I have never seen a finish this glossy. This stuff is idiot proof and I can vouch for that.

I've been used the Epoxy Coatings 1 Coat since Putter kindly sent me a sample. I'm not sure what to do with the rest of my FC now. The stuff is, IMO, much easier to use than FC, levels better and almost seems more clear. The only downside is that the pot life is definitely shorter, but I can live with that.

Gerry, Putter told me what you thought of the stuff and I was skeptical at the time so he thought I sould try the stuff as well. I shouldn't of doubted you. Your right the pot life is shorter but I have overcome this by mixing up two smaller batches, this finish is going to save me alot of time.

Ken, Like the other guys said its pretty much personal prefferance. I like Glass Coat the clarity it has on the feather inlays I do it great. I also like to use Permagloss on the lighter rods. The Glass Coat does have a short pot but the plus side is I don't have to use a drying motor with it I rotate the rod 180 every 10to 15 minutes for an hour.

Steve French
Steve's Custom Rod & Tackle



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/14/2005 06:27AM by Steve French.

Let me put in a plug for Klass Kote epoxy paint. A pot life of hours and a thin as a varnish. I am currently experimenting to see just how little I can get away with and still have a perfect finish. Currently, I can see the threads under a smooth third coat. The other epoxies mentioned are much thicker, but this also has some advantages as it hides defects.

I have been also trying out the stuff Putter, Myles & Gerry are talking about. I can't say enough about it!! It gives me the best finish that I have EVER had on a rod. No learning curve. Throw some on and forget it!! perfectly leveled out on a long open butt wrap and the inscription area was as smooth and level as the blank itself. It does have a short pot life but for results like that, I can live with it.

I rotated by hand for about 1/2 hour and turned on motor for a couple more. Dry and extremely glossy in about 5 hours. Putter has been using it for 20 years and says that it holds up well

Mike

Putter,
Do they offer a smaller size of the one coat? I want to try that out, but a full qrt is a heck of alot of finish if I dont like it. If you know where I can get a smaller quantity let me know.

Thanks,
Scott Sheets

Mike,
Where are you buying this epoxy? I would like to give it a try.

I got "teaser" bottles from Putter. Bingham is the only sponsor that sells it and they only have the quart size.

Mike



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/14/2005 12:16PM by Mike Barkley.

Thanks guys for you opinions. I figured y'all would tell me its just personal preference I just wanted to get an idea. I might like to try the stuff Mike, Putter, Myles & Gerry are talking about, but i have to say I'm like Emory. Do they sell it in smaller than a quart because I've never heard of the stuff till now and I want to try it before I throw 40 dollars down.

I see the '1coat' has a twist type top/dispensing system. Does it meter itself out or do you squeeze & measure? Thanks.

Jay

Crystal Coat. Period.