I know this has been asked many times before, but I'd appreciate your patience just one more time - - -

I'd like your ideas on painting rods (i.e., changing the colours of the rod itself.
1) Any special inks to try?
2) Any special paints to try?
3) Brush or spray? Foam brushes?
4) Mixture if ink with what medium? U40? Gudebrod Rod Varnish or Rod Finish? Plain ol' spar varnish from the hardware store? Mixture suggestions (how much of each ingredient?)
5) Once coloured, do I need to add a cover or "sealer" coat of Rod Varnish or U40?

- and any other ideas you might have handy - - -

Thanks in advance
Uncle Russ

I've gone to the suggestions I've gotten off this board. I color permagloss with TAP pigment and then do the whole job in one step. Takes about 2 coats. I wet a pad of cloth with the colored permagloss and then just wipe it on in about two passes one down each side of the blank. Wait 30 minutes and do it again and I'm done.

any pictures of this? And is there any reason to do this besides looks??? just curious. thanks ike

I'll repeat my standard reply to these questions and say that I've never been happy with any of my attempts to paint a blank. They are never close a factory finish where they use lint free booths, specials spray guns, etc. Homemade painting can show sags, drips, uneven areas or the finish coats chip when used. Just my opinion.

I know Andy with Lamar Fishing has a thing on his website about this, something special he's been working on. Look forward to seeing the finished product.

Phil

I got great results using automotive metallic paint. I just drove some nails into a 2x12 stuck the rod on it to hold it vertically, lightly wetsanded with 600, wiped with a tack cloth, and shot several light coats. I used the multiple color metallic finishes so as you rotate the rod it takes on different colors. It doesn't take much more than patience to avoid drips and you would be hard pressed to chip this finish (it would be as hard to chip the rod as to chip a car). Just be careful about not breaking the ferrules when you have them impaled on the nais.