After reading RodMarker's article many times in the last months, I finally ordered one of these kits to Donjer. I'm waiting for it to arrive.

I've always had problems for cleaning synthetic grips after installing them. I mean to remove excess of epoxy. I think it will be still more difficult with flocked grips. Any advice for the installation process and/or for cleaning epoxy spots?

Thank!


Daniel

You sir are doing a very good job! The process of thinking ahead is very wise. I am in the final stages of preparing the text for the Charlotte Show Workshop on flocking. There are definitive steps that need to be taken to insure the following:

1. Epoxy does not come in contact with the flocked surface that is exposed.
2. No solvent clean up is performed on the ends at the interface with cork and flocking adhesive.

Your post notes that you have been planning this for "several months" - After you see the results of your first flocking job it will not be the last. Hopefully, you will attend the Charlotte Flocking Workshop and participate by commenting on your successes.

Gon Fishn

Thank you for your reply, Bill.

I'm planning to go there but, frankly speaking, I don't know if it will be possible. I live in Spain and Charlotte takes a little far from here...

Ola Daniel,
Yes it is possible. Columbus made it and he didn't know where he was going and he was going to get there.
Agur, Ellis

As you slide the grip into place, a small bead of epoxy will form on the butt end of the grip. Before you fully seat the grip into its final position, or whenever that bead of epoxy starts to grow a little larger, just carefully remove it. Then, when you do seat the grip fully, that bead of epoxy won't be there to squash out all over the grip and seat edges.

One of the most unsightly things you can find on any custom rod is a glue line where epoxy seeped out all over the edges where parts come together. Even a good cleaning often leaves a tell-tale shiny area where the epoxy wetted these areas. Best way to prevent it is to remove the epoxy bead that causes this, before you seat the grip. Always better to prevent a problem than to have to correct it afterwards.

...................

Ellis: Columbus had a lot a free time!!! The problem is findind flights to Charlotte. There are lots of flights to other cities in the US, but I couldn't find anything reasoneable to Charlotte

Tom: Probably I put too much epoxy over the blank... I'll try with smaller quantities.

Daniel: Maybe you could hook up with Italio and ride with him in front of the Jumbo he drives! I can see it now - two rodbuilders watching a bank of computers take them to Charlotte! Also on your post. You will find that the flow properties of Rod Bond, for the grip adhesive, will give you a very good start on the final placement of the grip without getting it all over the grip surface. The first lesson I learned was as you said - too much epoxy used to start with!

Gon Fishn



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/21/2005 05:57PM by Bill Stevens.