Well I finished a couple of practice swings with flex coat high build and they came out pretty nice except for those darn thread tie off pieces. They showed through all right with this tiny bump. Bubbles were no problem. Any tips on hiding the tie off piece? My next issue is that the guide set I recieved only has one stripping guide. Should I really worry on a 9' 4wt. Thanks Tom

cut it off flat with a very sharp razor blade after the first coat then recoat with second coat

One stripper on that rod is all you need, Tom. Tips on hiding the tag end: 1- put the tag end through your "pull-through-loop" (does that have a proper name?) then pull the loop just until you snug the tag end against your last wrap. Cut the tag end close to the loop. Pull the loop through at an angle to ensure the end will get burried under your wraps. OR 2- Pull the tag end through the wrap with your loop. Cut the tag end as flush to the wrap as possible with a razor, then quickly "flame" the wrap with a lighter or alcohol lamp. A quick pass or 2 with the flame will singe flat any loose fuzzies or tips hanging out, but won't burn your entire wrap (trust me, you'll probably burn through a wrap every now and then using this method)

Keep wrappin'

Tim

Tim's pointers are good; I'd add to start the tie-off loop in sooner if you're going to cut the tag end before pulling through. I'd get 10 or even more wraps on top of the tie-off loop; I do it this way.

If you use the lighter method, keep the lighter to the SIDE of the wrap, never underneath it.

Putter

When I am finishing a wrap and doing the tie off, I pull the thread all the way through the wrap and then pull it tight back the direction that I tied off from and hold a very sharp razor parralell to the blank laying it right on the wraps to cut it off. When I do that, it makes a slight gap in the threads and with a quick burnish I never see a nubby on the tie off end. Works for me anyway.

Burnishing is a good way to smooth it out, if you don't cut it close like Tim suggested.

I always use the pointed end of my burnishing tool to tuck any end piece back under the wraps, then burnish. No issue with the bumpy end.

If you cut before pulling it through, you must start the tie-off loop sooner, or you still end up with the tag end sticking out.

You'll get it.

Terry

Pull it completely under and burnish the entry point.

To fix the problem you already have, do as Travis said. Carefully slice off any unwanted bumps with a new single-edge razor & recoat. It's likely you will have to do this to at least one wrap on every rod you build...I sure do.

Jay

Very good advise gentleman. I will try a few of these and come to an answer. Thanks Tom

Slice and recoat, as mentioned. If you are worried about thickness, use permagloss as the second coat. Covers nicely and has no negative effect on FC.

I also use a dental pick to help get rid of them when they show up. Put the point in between the threads a couple of wraps in front of the tag end and "pull" it down in the direction that you would be "tightening" the tag end. It will snag the tag and pull it under nicely.