I read in Mudhole's catalog that AFTCOTE Rod wrapping Finish is a "two-part urethane-modified, custom mixed epoxy. Non-yellowing and UV resistant. Super High-gloss sheen"

I've read many times in this phorum that urethane finishes (mostly Perma Gloss) have excelent finish and gloss, with the problem of self-polymerization (short life once opened).

Is this AFTCOTE as good as other urethanes with same life than epoxies?. Is there any advantage on using it instead of traditional two-part epoxy finishes? And instead of one-part urethanes?.

Is it more difficult to apply?. How long takes it to cure between coats?. I'm actually using American Tackle lite and I'm happy with results...

I have used flex cote, american tackle, and aftcote and i prefer aftcote. I would say the shelf life once opened would be 8 or 9 months for the small bottles. I like it the most because it lets bubbles out extremely easy. I mix it in a mixing cup, stir it up, and pour it into a small foil pan i bend into shape, not letting the epoxy stand more than about 1/8 inch thick. walk away, come back in 5 minutes, put one zap of a torch across it, and the bubbles are gone and it's ready to go. I also like it because i work really slow with the epoxy and it's got a relatively long working time....longer than flex coat and american tackle. after the first coat (which i do in the evening) by the next afternoon it's ready for another coat. The one drawback i have found though is if you wait more than 24 hours between coats, then you may have to rough it up with a scotch brite pad or you will most likely end up with fish eyes. It's def. worth throwin 15 bucks out to try it. Good luck with the epoxy,

Matt

I have recently been trying Aftcote. So far I like it although we got off to a shakey start. The first batch I mixed tacked up and stayed that way. I coated with LS high build to fix the problem. After shelving the Aftcote for a few weeks I decided to give it another go.

It does take considerably longer to set up than my other epoxy (LS reg & high build). I also believe that because of this you can extend the time before applying the second coat. One thing that I've done this past week is to put a small ceramic heater in the room where my rod dryer is. It gets fairly warm in there and I've been re-coating with Aftcote in as few as 6 hours. With the proper temperature it tacks up in about 3 hours.

Jay