I'm going to put the first coat of Flex Coat finish on my fly rod tonight. Anyone have any hints or ideas that may help me beyond what Flex Coat recommends? Thanks, Bruce

Make sure the room is hair and dust free as much as possible. I put 4 oz. containers in the microwave for 9 seconds. Use at least 3cc of each the hardener and resin, precision is key. Mix w/ a non porous stirrer for at least two minutes. I put my mixing cup over a white piece of paper as it makes it easier to notice when the finish is truely clear. I pour it out onto tin foil and do my thing. I would say working time is around 30 minutes max before it starts getting too thick to apply.

Can I use those plastic mixing cups that come with rod kits or should I use glass? Also, it's a little cold in my apartment, will that matter much?

Refer to the article in the library here by Rich Forhan on his finishing technique. I think it will help you.

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Lock up your pet...

You can use those plastic cups. I personally would measure more accurately by using the plastic syringes that you can buy from our sponsors. One for each part, no need to clean between use, just don't mix them up.

Can you define "a little cold?" Epoxy mixes better and is easier to apply if it's 70-80 degrees. It will level better, flow better, is easier to apply, releases bubbles more easily, etc. I used to have a fair amount of trouble until I started following that rule. Now any problems I have I can only blame on my technique, not on the finish being too thick.

Clean your work station.
Move anything that isnt needed, just so you dont bump one thing and cause a chain reaction (i'm speaking from experience..unfortunately)
Keep your room at or above 70deg.
Mix 3cc's of each part of your finsh and mix it slowly so you dont add bubbles.
Pour your mixture in a 'cup' made of foil. blow the bubbles out
Apply a thin coat as your first coat. Its easier too add a coat later than to scrape off/sand down excess

Dont rush, you can always mix up more epoxy.

I know you probably couldn't sleep last night wondering how I made out with my first coat of rod finish. Well...it didn't happen. I forgot I had to wrap and trim the tip top and put 2 coats of color preserver on. The big night is tonight. My apartment is very cold. I don't think I can get the temp above 68 degrees. I do have an electric heater I can use in my kitchen where I will finish the rod. Is there such a thing as it being too hot in a room? Thanks for the help responses. Bruce

If you do use a heater, don't use one with a fan that blows things around. Getting dust on fresh epoxy is one of the worst things. If your room is usually below 70, you might try using Flex Coat Lite in the future, it is less viscous. You may need to put on two coats of that.

Another tip for a newbie. Resist "testing" the epoxy on the rod with your finger. Just leave the excess epoxy on the foil on the table and test that whenever you get the urge (test it with a toothpick at first). This is especially important for you, since in a cold room it will take longer for the epoxy to set.

The Heater doesn't have a fan. What I'll do is face it another direction. Thanks