I believe the decal that came with my Forecast rod blank is the vinyl type with an adhesive backing. I've always struggled with these type but again they were on small diameter 2wt and 3wt fly blanks. The section where this one is going is over is almost a 1/2" in diameter so it should be a bit easier on the larger diameter.

I've read numerous posts but they deal mainly with the water slides and Emory had a post about the finish not wanting to stick very well to vinyl decals. But if I commit myself to this Forecast decal, should I put it on the blank first, coat with cp, and then finish - or coat with finish first, place decal, cp, and finish again? Thanks.

I havn't tried to do many of these. But the biggest problem i seem to have is that the decal/sticker always seems to hava a slight wrinkle in the middle where it was rubber banded to the blank. This seems to make the decal/sticker want to keep a layer of bubbles under it. As far as sticking I think as long as you wash it down well with alcohol to remove any residue from the blank It will stick, With bubbles or without. Then coat.

I seem to remember a post that suggested to apply the decal then spray with Krylon Fixative before epoxy. Anyone else?

Bill in WV

I cut up and reconfigure alot of these mfg labels. I always leave a portion to place my exacto knife on while positioning the sticker that will be cut off later. Touching the back glued area of a clear sticker label often leaves a mark that can be seen. I just clean the blank area well with denatured alcohol. I mark top dead center of the blamk either side of the guestiamted label area with masking tape. I then place the sticker down and look it over closely for proper straight alignment and slight offset, then apply , smoothing from the center outward. Once applied I trim off the handling tag, burnish well concentrating on the edges, and just use high build FC over that trying to get one slightly thicker coat on. I may add a trimed fish decal or hand write the clients name, date, BY: on the extra area where the mfg labels and decals are not in the thread bracketed label area, I offset the mfg drecal slightly to one side, the side the owner will see best looking down on the weapon as he/she holds it. I try to hide either side of the label edges with the tag ends of the bracketing thread wraps, that I wait untill labeling is finished to apply