Hi folks,

just finished a flyrod, using single foot guides between tip top and stripping guides. Now I have realized after ONE day fishing at the coast a dulled area along the top of the sf-guide feet. As it seems this was done through the fly line. The epoxy (Classic Rod Coat) had enough time to cure, I think more than 5 days. Based on this I checked my other flyrods and found the same result with most of them. On the rods inspected I used different epoxies, like Flex Coat and also a local brand here from Germany.

My question is now: Have you experienced something similar in the past? Is there an epoxy out there who is not getting dulled in situations like the mentioned one?

What are you doing when you find similar conditions on your rods? Recoating after a certain time, ignoring...


Pls. let me know.


RGDS,
Ole
Ellerau/Germany

Hi Ole

I've only built two rods so far, both 6wt 9foot fly rods, and with single foot guides. So I've got no experience, and someone else on here could give you a lot more info.

However, with both my rods my fiinish is excellent, mainly because I followed the manufacturer's instructions to the letter. I used Flex Coat High Build, and mixed 3cc every time (mix more to elliminate the possibility of an uneven mix), but I put 2 drops of thinners in the mix too. It just spread it a little easier, and made the finish more manageable, with great results.
I mixed it very slowly, for about 3 minutes, before using it, didn't have any bubbles to contend with.

What are you mixing the finish in? If you use certain plastics to mix with, or paper cups, or wood swizzle sticks, or slightly dirty tools, you may be getting unwanted chemicals or dirt in your finish which may be causing the dull effect. I may be wrong here though!
To avoid that, I use small glass bowls to hold the finish, mix it with stainless steel paper clips, and when it's mixed I pour it onto a tea cup's sauser turned upside down, and covered with aluminum foil. It spreads the epoxy nicely and dissipates most bubbles too.

My finishes have come out great so far, so I'll stick to this tecnique.

The other guys on here might give you more valid reasons on why it became dull though.

Regards,
Mike

Hi Mike,

thanks for your swift answer. To make it very clear the dull spots I' am talking about are not made during teh painting/coating process. They happened later during usage. With the coating and the measurement process I' am more than careful as well as with the cleanliness - teh laboratory equipment I use for mixing I clean afterwards always with 98% alcohol from the local pharmacy.

RGDS,
Ole
Ellerau/Germany

If moisture can migrate under the epoxy coating it can give you the appearance you describe. This will not however effect the surface of the epoxy if that seems to be the actual cause.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

Ole,

I haven't noticed any of this on my fly rods but I don't fish at the "coast" either.

Do you mean by "coast" that you are fishing saltwater in a sandy area? If so, I wonder if the rubbed areas on top of the guide feet finish could be caused by sand that is clinging to the fly line. Or perhaps even the salt crust that forms on the dry fly line would be enough to dull the finish right there.

The toughest finish I'm aware of is Permagloss. You might be able to reduce or solve the problem by a thin coat of Permagloss over the fully cured epoxy.

Jan-Ole,
I noticed the same thing on one of my rods after a few outings, and have been wanting to cross-check my built rods/records to see which finish it was. Just printed out the list and will check the rods and get back to you. Like you, I usually wait more than a week before using any finished rod - easy to do since I usually build during Winter.

Jeff