I have several All Star IM10X blanks that are the matte blue finish. I'd like to clearcoat these prior to building. What method and product would be best without adding much weight, of would polishing them be the best route? Anyone did a matte blue All Star?

DR

If it were me, I'd scuff the surface with grey Scotchbrite and then make two quick swipes, 180 degrees apart, butt to tip, with a piece of foam or cheesecloth saturated with Permagloss. If it needed it, I'd let the first coat dry an hour and then repeat once more. Again, two quick end to end swipes with Permagloss. Work fast, don't muss around with it, and let it stand for 3 to 4 days before wrapping.

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DR:
I do not put anything on rods, but read an article several years ago about clear coating rods. In the article the author would take rubber from an old inner tube for car tires and cut a big square out of it. Take a leather punch, and using the smallest hole. ( you have to use punch, if you try to cut hole will leave slit that will create a streaking effect on the blank.) Punch a hole in the center, then secure it in something like a needle point hoop. push the rod through the hoop down to the handle. Put a little puddle of finish in the center. The in one motion pull it up and off the rod. The rubber contracts as it travels up the rod leaving a perfect coating as it goes. By supporting the rod (tip up) were the handle goes it can be done in one pass with out any brush marks or thick and thin parts. The rubber acts like a squeegee to keep the finish thin and even. The only thing I don't remember was how he supported the blank.
notes:
Be ready as you clear the tip to put your hand under the hole so that no additional coating leaks out down onto the rod.
Wash and allow the tubing to dry before you use it.
Don't pull to fast, if you do a rubber band effect will happen and sling finish all over you.

The inner tube trick sounds great, but I have to wonder if the guys writing about it have ever actually tried it. You have to find exactly the right combination of material and thickness. Most times, what happens is you either wipe the coating completely off, or leave it so wet that it sags and runs. The best I found was the rubber from a child's bungee ball balloon. Even so, after a few tries I dumped that method and went back to the swipes with Permagloss. Try it both ways, but I feel pretty sure which way will give you the best results.

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Tom I have tried Dupli Color clear coat(an automotive spray available at auto part stores) and it seems to work well.I built a rod for may brother and he at first wanted the rod to have matte finish. The rod was wrapped and finished ready to fish when he asked if we could make it gloss. I heard about the auto clear coat and discovered it has a flex property built in. I sparayed the rod after a little scotch scuffing and it worked great. dHe has fished the rod several times with no loss of gloss. The clear coat seems to be pretty resistant to scratches as well. This is the only rod I have tried it on so I wouldn't reccomend it without some more research. Gregg

Thanks guys!!

I'll let you know how it went when time allows, these are for me so I'm not in any hurry :)

DR

Spray coatings are certainly easy to apply. Permagloss doesn't come that way, unfortunately, and because it's the hardest I tend to stick with it and the wiping application. But any product that will do the job and that can be sprayed on certainly makes things much easier.

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