just wondering about the advantages of 1 coat of pg and then applying finish. i built 1 rod and used only pg( 10 or so coats) and while it was super clear and very tough it was a little too wavy for me. went to the famous sag and wick method with threadmaster and now get results which make me very happy. i just want to make sure i'm not missing out on something, it seems several people like to base coat with pg and i am curious as the why's and wherefore's. thank you cody

The only reason I ever do that is to get the semi-CP qualities of permagloss.

Here's what I mean: You can have three different colors with one color of thread. The thread will stay the same color as the spool with CP. The thread will turn dark and translucent with just an epoxy finish (and no cp). But, one coat of permagloss gives the thread a color somewhere in between the first two. So, if I give one coat of PG, then epoxy over that, I get the third "in-between" color.

Realistically, I rarely do this anymore, as I'm hardly ever looking for more colors. But, the one place where it is really useful is when you're trying to match an exact shade of wood insert/grip with your thread. You can take the three or four Gudebrod browns, and with some imagination and PG, get all sorts of different variations.

First off, Permagloss alone won't give you that smooth, perfect surface that properly done epoxy finishes will. Permagloss just doesn't finish out on guide wraps, etc, like that. It's a different look. Not bad, just different. It's really flexible, doesn't yellow, and is likely the most durable finish out there.

Many persons using Permagloss for the first coat (and then top-coating with an epoxy finish) like sealing the thread with Permagloss to negate any bubbles that sometimes work out of threads and braids when the epoxy finish is used alone. If CP is used, then this isn't necessary, I suppose.

Putter
Williston, ND

Hi Cody
I Finished a rod two weeks ago and used PG as a base coat then applied TM and had lots of bubbles not sure why??there were lots of realy small ones that were very hard to release.
This week I finished one more and what I did was PG the name that I did earlier on and after the pattern I just TM the lot.There was no Differance in the outcome exept the bubbles were larger and seemed to release a lot easier and Bigger I dont think I will use PG as a first coat again.

Over the last six months I have used PG then finish. IMO it just looks better than straight finish. I think Jim Upton has been doing this for some time. He and I discused this in HP. We both think it looks better. I use thin coats of TM over it.

Ed Smith