I did a search on this but came up empty looking for the right answer. What type and color of thread do you all use for completely transparent ferrule wraps? I will be wrapping a matte gray finish. There are no inlays or anything fancy, I just don't want there to be any contrast with the purple metallic guide wraps - you know, something really low profile. I would prefer nylon, simply because it is really easy and cheap for me to get, however I would consider silks if they are the better option.

If you want realyy, really transparent, try the Golden Witch sponsor on the left. You can email them your specific questions but I'm under the impression that the Pearsall's Gossomer in white with no cp "disappears" under the epoxy.

pearsalls gossomer white is the traditional thread for clear wraps. the bamboo guys have been using it or a very light yellow for years. try this with it: using flexcoat light use 1/3 resin, 1/3 hardener and 1/3 acetone. mix until crystal clear. should be like water. coat the wrap with a heavy flood coat. let it soak in real good. wrap should go clear. now, using your FINGER remove all of the excess flex coat. some pressure from your finger should squeeze out any micro bubbles (which will cause the dreaded "shimmers"). let this dry for a day. now if you coat in your standard manner with either flexcoat light or even spar varnish you should get an invisible wrap. one other thing. don't use too much wrap tension. if the thread is too tight it won't absorb the first application of flexcoat as well and you will get some goasting.

Or... choose a thread color that when used without CP will darken to about the same color as the blank. I do this most of the time on multi-piece rods. If the thread is an exact match for the blank color, you can't see it. It's as good as a truly transparent wrap for the most part.

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Tom,
Do you have some blank color / thread color matches in mind? For example, the Dan Craft is a dark gray, nearly black in matt finish. And the Rainshadow RX8+ is a bit darker, also matt finish. Would black be your thread choice?

Jeff Shafer

#441 charcoal, regular nylon, no CP. It gets pretty dark. No, it won't disappear, but it ends up being very close to the actual blank color. It won't stand out.

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It is funny that you suggested the #441 Charcoal, Tom. I stopped in at the local shop and picked up that exact spool moments ago. You were right on - it matches exactly with my Dan Craft FT.

Wal-Mart has some clear nylon in the sewing section....they have it in a smokey gray (just like a blank) and in clear. I have used it and it DOES dissappear.