My problem is that I have gotten two minute cracks running perpendicular to the thread in my first coat of finish. They are barely visable and will probably disappear when I put the second coat on but I am concerned because I have had this happen in the past. They are on the first layer of thread (I usually wrap an underwrap then the wrap for the guide then a top wrap; three wraps total).

I wrap in my garage which is around 60 degrees in the winter, which in Central Oregon is six months of the year. I run a heater to get it to this temperature.

I also use a tack rag (the type used in automotive painting).

I used FlexCoat CP under the finish. The thread is A yellow NCP.

Has anyone seen this before?

Bill,
I use Aftcote all the time and have never seen this before. I usually apply finish at 65 or warmer so that might have something to do with it. I've also used a tack cloth and Color Lock CP without incident. Are they both in the same general area? Randy.

How much time passed from when you applied the undercoat of FlexCoat until you put the Aftcote on top?

Aftcote is the absolute most flexible finish I've used and can't see how it could 'crack'...especially without being flexed...especially when applied in 60 degree temperatures.

Jay

It must have been a week, plus or minus, because I put the guides on and then the butt wrap; so at least a week after the CP was put on to when the finish was put on.

They might not be cracks; they are lines that look about the width of a hair and are about 1 1/2" long. They are located under the first guide and there are two of them. It's like you took a hook point and dragged it against the finish in a fairly straight line but very shallow.

Would you expect problems at 60 Degrees? Since I have gotten anal about mixing the epoxy it always cures in ten hours or so.

IS the bottom of your guide foot sharp? I'd bet that you placed it on teh underwrap and moved it scratching the thread or the CP or something - and this is what's causing it.

could have just been bad house keeping and a bit of grit from sanding got on the finnish scratcing it
i learnt the hard way to always clean the feet and check em WELL before putting htem anywhere near an underwrap "with or without finnish

Billy and Allen both have good ideas for things to check.