Regarding the use of Flex Coat Lite Formula, how many coats do you usually apply in flyrod applications? This is assuming reasonably thin applications on each coat.

This is my first time to use this and I applied it a little thick on the second coat. Not real good! I think I just hate to mix up 3 cc's and see so much go to waste (greed). I can't imagine why a smaller amount i.e. 1 1/2 or 2 cc's could not be mixed well if a good mixing container was used and one was careful in their mixing techniques.

Also, how far away trom the thread wraps do most of you extend the application of the Flex Coat on the blank?

Thanks in advance........this is a great forum.

Jerry

Jerry,

Usually 2 coats of FC Lite are quite enough on any rod, fly or spin/cast.

As to quantity of finish, I think it's a matter of experience... If you are quite new to this, maybe it's good idea not to mix less than 2 cc of each component. Having already built 30+ rod by now, I sometimes mix 0,5+0,5 cc without having any problems with the result.

Pavel,
Moscow, RU

Jerry

I currently use LS Supreme but previously used Flex Coat Lite. I have best results with at least 2 very thin coats. I wouldn't call you greedy - just frugal. I think it's normal not to want to waste things unnecessarily. I frequently mix small batches of finish and have never had a problem. You just need to recognize that you're more likely to have a problem and that you'll need to be extra careful to get your portions of part A and a part B just right and to be sure to mix them thoroughly. You cannot overmix epoxy. The larger the batch the less the margin of error in mixing and the smaller the batch the greater the margin for error. If you haven't already done so, click the search option at the top of this page and serach for posts concerning the correct way to ensure a good finish. There's been enough good information written on this board on that topic that it would fill a small library.

Sam Stoner

Thanks guys, I've mixed lots epoxy for various things (used to build golf glubs) and realize the importance of the amounts and proper mixing. I've read all the info on this board and Flex Coat's website and I'm following these exactly.

I found a small glass vial at Hobby Lobby (candle holder) that makes an excellent mixing bowl and have a small metal spatula so I feel I could greatly reduce the amounts of the components and still get a good mix. I'm using the syringes that came with the Flex Coat so as you know, you can measure down to the 1/10 of a cc.

I guess time will tell if I can mess up a good thing just to save some Flex Coat. I assume if a coat did not dry you could go on with an extra coat, but certainly don't want to have to put too many on.

thanks again.

Jerry

I want to say a word about mixing 3cc's of each component. You don't want to be penny wise and pound foolish. Epoxy finish is cheap. Really cheap. Mixing that larger quantity provides a much better margin of error in case you don't get your mix ratio exactly 1 to 1. Sure, small quantities will set up and cure fine if the mix ratio is exactly 1 to 1. But if you're off by just a hair on a small mix, you may be off by a percentage sufficient to prevent your finish from hardening properly. Be off by that same amount on a larger mix and the percentage you're off will be far smaller and probably not enough to prevent your finish from behaving as it should.

Which is more wasteful - a small mix that has to be removed, wraps cut off and redone, or a larger mix that sets and cures as desired? We're only talking pennies, maybe a few dimes, to mix a minimum of 3ccs of each component for each and every mix.

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