I'm just about at wits end. I have just finished a rod using Guderbod 5896 Dark Green thread and have had two sets of thread blotch a dark black in color. I removed the first set of thread after using two coats of Guderbrod color preserver and redid the second set of thread using four coats of Guderbrod CP. Needless to say after the removing the first set and redoing the second I burnished the heck out the thread the second time. I still got the blotches. Some were around the tunnel area of the guide and some were at the ends. Is there a possibility I'm using the CP too thick? After the first failure I thinned the CP somewhat.

Should the viscosity of the CP be thin enough that the thread soaks the CP into the thread enough to change color prior to drying or should the CP be thick enough to coat the threads similar to a varnish like treatment. (I hope that made sense). I find that I'm using a thickness that sometimes starts to coagulate before I've had the time to finish coating the complete section of thread I'm working on, usually one side of a guide.

If anyone has any information or advice on how I can alleviate this problem I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

Thread only turns blotchy or dark for one of two reasons - epoxy got to it, or the thread wasn't packed tight/uniformly enough.

The CP should go on wet and cause the thread to turn uniformly dark. The color should come back up as it dries.

Gudebrod 811 is good stuff, albeit very inconsistent insofar as its viscosity. One coat is all that should be required, but you do want to make certain to get good coverage and not leave any open areas. I'd suggest moving to a straight acrylic CP just for the next set of wraps and see if you find it easier to work with. Use it full strength in one good wet coat. A second if it makes you feel better.

I have a suspicion that you just didn't get everything covered.

..........

Hello Steve
Using color preserver that has the solids coming out of solution could be the problem. This occurs due to sitting on the shelf to long and then not being mixed back in. Or there could be a contamination problem that prevents the color preserver from coating the threads. In either case to fix this problem first mix the color preserver and then try it on a scrap piece of rod over a test wrap using the same thread as used on your rod that you want to finish. It may just be that simple.
Blotches can be as a result of too much and varying tension on your thread while wrappng. Lighter color thread wraps are usually more liable to look "blotchie" due to varying excessive tension on the thread while wrapping. The darker threads such as 5896 will not be as sensitive tension.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely Joe Kassuba
HIS Rod Shop

Are you packing tight enough ? Pushing the thread tightly together, If there are any gaps in between the thread the blank color will tend to show though and thus look blotchy.

Tom and Joe: Are correct If C/P is a little thick you can thin it with a little denatured alcohol. If the C/P was not the problem then the thread was not packed tight enough. While wrapping the thread run your finger nail along the outside of the new thread as you turn the rod, shoving the new wrap tight against the previous wrap. Then burnish the total wrap, make sure you burnish towards the beginning of the wrap.
Goog Wraps Bob

i noticed the same thing and it had to do with the closeness i brought the flame for the bubble issue. i got the flame to close and it gave me a black swirl like blotch drove me crazy. i tried it on some dummy rods and it made the same black blotchs when the flame got to close

Daniel, If you use a flame, always hold in front or behind the wrap, not underneath or you are just asking for soot contamination You really don't want flame in contact with the wrap.

I use a butane torch works great. If you are using a alcohol lamp and get soot. Your wick is too long.
When using a Butane torch I use a blue flame. The distance for the flam and rod is determined by using my hand. I place my hand in front of the flame, when I feel the heat without burning my self that is the distance I keep the flame from the rod. Never let the flame stay in one spot, keep the flame moving.
Good Wraps Bob