I don't do decorative wraps often and want to know....on under wraps and for decorative wraps....do most people prefer to use CP or just use NCP thread.

I build mostly fly rods and go for mostly the more understated simple elegant wraps. I have a build coming up for my son and am going to make him something flashy...any advise would be appreciated thanks...

You probably have opened a can of worms; there are a lot of strong opinions on this subject.
I usually do use CP, since most of my customers want specific colors. The only thing I have ever used in Gudebrod. From what I have read here, it is one of the most efficient. It took awhile to learn to use it right, without it getting all gummy, but I have it down now.
Just do one coat. Put a drop on with the applicator bottle, then use a little brush to move it around. Don't actually brush it much, or you will get bubbles. I just move it around so all the thread gets a good soaking. If if do get carried away, I blot off the excess with a coffee filter.
Steve Broadwell

I don't like NCP thread. Looks very "plastic" to me when finished. But in some buttwraps or if I decide not to paint the blank white where I'm working, for white, tan, yellow, blue dun, and other really light colors on a dark background, it has its place. I'm also not a big fan of "transparent" wraps, but those have their place too. Personally, I prefer using CP. I don't like being surprised by color changes.

I guess my opinion closely follows Mick's. Generally speaking, I normally use CP over regular because it suits my eye but I have no problem with NCP or no CP over regular thread when the situation requires it.

I build more fly rods than anything and I like the traditional, conservative appearance of thread with CP. Each of the threads has a subtle radiance and brilliance all it's own which you can't get with NCP thread. I also use regular thread without CP on occasion; it depends upon the look that I'm trying to achieve. I can tell you that I think there is a better bond of the threads and guide feet to the blank using regular thread without CP. I think you may notice the same thing if you try to do a repair job and need to remove a wrap that's been done using regular thread with no CP. That said, the bond with CP is still plenty strong enough. I rarely use NCP thread except when I'm using white. The thread types can be mixed to good effect if you use your imagination and aren't shy about experimenting a little.

Sam Stoner

More a matter of taste.. When I pick out a color to use as either a guide wrap or part of a decorative wrap I want it to look pretty much the same when I am done. And to me NCP thread looks dead, no vibrance to it at all.

The only times I use NCP thread is when I want white to be pure white. The team colors of the University of Alabama are Red & White. When I wrap a rod in these colors I want the white to stand out as much as the red. Even with color preserver white nylon doesn't stand out like NCP white does. Ralph

If at first you don't succeed, go fishing, then try, try again.

Thanks guys for all the responses....

I have some Flex coat CP.......wasn't going to use NCP but this just helped confirm what I had planned.

Do any of you prefer one CP over another and why?

I guess i'll be the fly in the ointment.......!
I ONLY use NCP. I LOVE the way it looks-kinda like enamel. I HATE CP- NEVER use it!
I find that if you use NCP mixing in matching metallics throughout or, use subtle colour variations within one colour,
you can get a very RICH & Vibrant look- and see the thread. BUT you will have to lay down one thread at a time.
None of the people that have seen my rods has even noticed the NCP or didn't care!

Ralph has convienced me to never use white NCP again if it has anything to do with the university of alafama! I use orange and blue! If I I use NCP I still apply at least one additional coat of CP. Personally I don't use alot of NCP-It just doesn't look as good to me. I have a couple of rods that I have used white NCP in butt wraps-I'm going look at them again, but no more white for me. I have never used white with red and never intend to unless I can find a sucker from alafama that is is willing to give me several million for it.

War Eagle!!!!!!!!

Ed Smith

Well,

Pit me in the "I don't use CP at all" family. I like the idea of the epoxy soaking into the tunnels of the guide wraps. For this reason, I don't use CP.

I do have some NCP thread and have used them on occasion, but I prefer the regular and that sparkle look it gives once soaked with epoxy. I usually try and account for the darkening of the threads caused by not using CP and go a step lighter in thread color choice to match what is really wanted.

The transparent look is ok by me :)

DR

My first couple of decorative wraps, I used NCP thread. There isnt a very big color selection. I have done a couple w/ reg. thread, and found that I like it better. Has a different feel to it. The NCP thread definately feels like it was coated in wax or something. With reg. thread it is smoother to the touch and I am able to pull the threads a lot tighter w/ it. It is all a matter of personal preference I think, as well as what type of look you are going for with that particular wrap.



happy fishin and buildin!

wishn i was fishn...at the beach! <*)}}}><

Don't like NCP at all (personal preference) I think that it looks to drab. With 350+ vibrant colors of Madiera plus all of Gudebrod's Nylon why bother. I use CP on everything, including metallic, unless matching on a repair or specifically want a muted translucent wrap. With the millions of rods out there wrapped with CP and trouble free, I just don't think that strength is an issue at all. Heck, Doc Ski alone probably has several hundred HEAVY tuna rods out there all with CP with no strength issues.

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!!

I've tried both. I don't use NCP any more because (a) the colors seem limited and (b) I like the trick of using high-build thinned with acetone as the first coat on my wraps, with no CP at all beforehand, which penetrates the threads quite well, eliminates the CP step, and turns most nylone threads a deep, translucent shade that's entirely different from any flat color. This is a trick detailed by Flex Coat in their literature, so it's not special to me. No, I don't do it on every rod, just some.

I've heard of folks using NCP threads for underwraps, but that leads to another problem in that, the color preserver you would otherwise add, also has the benefit of smoothing the underwrap's surface. Two coats does even more of this. It's not that you can't put CP over NCP thread, but it's not quite the same effect.

It's not an argument, it's just an opinion based on my own experiences.

Uncle Russ

My son Patrick uses both NCP and Maderia thread and always does a practice wrap on a dowel rod. He puts CP (U40) on one third of the wrap, no CP on another third. Then he puts finish on the wrap. It's amazing how vibrant the colors remain using CP, either using NCP tread or regular thread.