How long do you leave your wraps on the rod before you finish them with the final epoxy finish? My concern is that the thread might loosen a bit before I finish the rod. What I do is wrap all the sections and then finish them off. It might be a couple of weeks before the wraps see the final finish.
Bill Giokas

I have left them for weeks without a concern.I have been known to wrap tin foil around them to prevent dust from settleing or other contamination from settleing in.I sometimes start a butt wrap and dont finish for months as other rods get started for other people and are not as important as mine.Bottom line is to keep it clean.Not sure if a coat of CP will offer any benefit,it may creat a problem with moisture from the air if it is humid.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Bill I normally do mine with in a day or two.
But one thing you can do that will help if you have a problem. Is to leave the tag ends on until you are ready to apply the epoxy. That way if they should loosen a little bit you can pull the tag ends to tighten them up again. Also the tag will aid in preventing the problem in the first place.

I usually finish the wraps right after I do them unless it's too late. I have waited several days and just blew them off with canned air first. That is not a real good idea though - it just sends all the dust airborne. Now I use a little vacuum brush attachment. I have a box fan with a good filter taped on that I setup by the vacuum's exhaust.

I like the above ideas. Have to remember them.

My problem is that I start looking at them and decide I don't like the way I did the inlays or trim bands, or I decide to redo them in a different color.

i never have time to wrap my guides and epoxy them in the same day....the rod i just got done with the guides were wrapped one day then about a week later i put the epoxy on and everything is fine

i dont think you should have a problem with them loosening if you wrap the guides good and tie them off good

If I can't finish right away for whatever reason, I wrap them in the self sticking seran wrap to seal them up and keep out dust. Put the CP on later. Never thought about leaving the tags for tightening later. Excellent idea Steve ! I love these little tricks of the trade !

My goodness, someone needs to archive this thread and make it a chapter in a book. What a neat collection of ideas!

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

I'm like Chuck; I like to wrap the guides and put the finish on them. That doesn't always work, but even when I take two evenings to wrap them, I take the time that second night to put the finish on them. I'm always afraid of contamination, dust, etc. and just like to get them done ASAP.

When I can't put the finish on, I just put a paper towel over each one (fresh off the roll) and leave it in the rod room like that until the next evening.

Putter
Williston, ND

I make sure I keep a very soft artist's brush to brush off the wraps if they've set for any length of time uncovered.

Bill in WV

I left bare wraps unfinished for as long as 18 months without any adverse affects. In that instance, I guess I consider it a lucky happenstance. Typically, I seal wraps within 24 hours with CP or PermaGloss.

I will leave them for months but tack them down with CP in key spots so they do not come loose, then I do a final coat of CP just befor I put on the epoxy.
Cheers Ron.

I know an Old post... but just the Answer I was looking for!