Being new to the rod making world I need some advice on use of color preserver. On a repair over the week-end when I applied epoxy to a wrap that I had applied color preserver to approximatley 3-4 hrs earlier I had bubbles that looked like they were coming from under the wrap. Just looking at the finish with the naked eye the thread looked metal flake. When looking under the magnifying light you could see hundreds of tiny bubbles.

Advice would be greatly appriciated.

By the way, Thanks for the help on the locking wrap.

Mike

Take another look and make sure those really are bubbles. They may be the solids in the CP that seal the thread. This usually create a "sparkle" in the thread.

If they are bubbles, then the CP is not the problem. You have to do all you can not to introduce bubbles when mixing the finish and you should not use a brush to "paint" the finish on, brushing around and back and forth. Use it only as applicator tool, loading it and lowering it to the wraps and then revolving the rod underneath it. Make one or two turns, reload the brush and move over and do it again. Brushing introduces air which creates bubbles.

I don't think this is your problem, but I'd give my CP a bit longer drying time than just 3 to 4 hours. It's likely okay, but I'd wait at least 12 if it were me.

...........

I've found a good rule of thumb with CP is to wait at least until the wraps are no longer dark and the original color has mostly returned.

Also, I've found one good coat to be better than multiple coats and it helps to prevent the sparkles or flaking that can occur with CP.

Regards......Doug@
TCRds

I have been applying epoxy with a spatchula and have not had to much trouble with bubbles. I have been using a heat gun to control the few bubbles that do show up with good results. Do you think I may have over heated? The sparkles sure look like tiny bubbles to me. I'm getting close to finishing another rod with thread that requires CP. I will wait longer on the drying time. (Propabley 24 Hrs.) I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks for the advice. It's greatly appreciated.

I don't know if that's your problem, but I do know (you don't want to know how) that too much heat from a heat gun canl "Boil" the finish and cause a TON of extremely fine bubbles

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2006 08:47AM by Mike Barkley.