How many coats of finish do you generally use on your guide wraps? My 1-coat finish doesn't seem nearly as thick as rods from commercial vendors.

2 applications of ThreadMaster...not because it won't build with 1 application, but because I like the versatility of 2 applications. The actual number of applications depends on the size and type of guide wrap.

Also, you have to remember you can put several applications withing 24-36 hours, and it still constitutes 1 coat as they will "melt" into one another.


Andy Dear
Lamar Fishing Products

For myself I usually use 2 coats. One to soak the threads and I take most of the finish off. The second coat finishes it off and I keep it light, just enough to cover the threads.

Ditto Mike...

Andy Dear
Lamar Fishing products

I use one coat on repairs and most times two applications on custom work as Andy said most times it can be done in one but two offers better options
John

I use ThreadMaster. The first coat goes on very thinly and after 7 or 8 hours I apply a second thin coat. That eliminates the problem one has with bubbles when using epoxy finishes.

Same here. I do two coats. The first coat is applied in big globs, then I fill the tunnels, then I take every little bit of excess finish back off with my brush, making sure to mop up the excess that accumulates behind the guide leg. Once the first coat has dried, I go through and trim any "fuzzies" that have appeared. (I probably have more than the average number of "fuzzies," as I often switch my thread colors two or three times during a guide wrap.) Then, I do a second thin coat. On the second coat, I follow the process outlined in RM. I put a fair bit on each guide, let sag and remove excess, turn 180 degrees, let sag and remove excess, repeat a couple times. Again, I make sure to mop up the excess that accumulates behind the guide leg.

If I'm using CP (which I hardly ever do), I might just use one coat.

I'm looking for the thinnest coat(s) of finish I can use that still covers the thread. I don't know where I read this, but I use the rule of thumb that the coat(s) of finish should be just thick enough that I can't distinguish individual threads, but no thicker.

Hello Chris
Most all commercial rods are done in two coats.
U40 LS High Build is designed as a one coat. On most repairs I do one coat. On custom rods I like to use at least two and sometimes three coats to get the depth and shape desired on butt wraps. On guide wraps remember that weight added is the enemy of performance. So try not to use to much finish on the upper half of the rod. U40 LS High Build gives a nice square look in one coat on the upper half of the rod.
LS Supreme is designed as a two more coat finish.
Joe Kassuba

I used LS High Build on two rods recently. Just like Joe said, one coat on guides and two on butt wraps. I'm very happy with the results.

Chuck