First off, I wanted to thank you all for providing me with a great way to spend my work breaks every day! I really appreciate all the information I have picked up here. Thanks especially to Tom, for everything you do.

I've been messing with the "candy apple" effect...I've never done underwraps before. I recognize that using a larger diameter thread on top of a smaller diameter thread should stop the overwrap from cutting into the underwrap. What if I want to have a rod done (for a gift) and only have size A thread? Would a coat or two of CP over the metallic underwrap provide sufficient resistance to the overwrap (after drying of course)?

I am very impressed with the look, but I always seem to get a few threads pinching through, especially at the ends of the wraps. I tried an olive green over gold as well as an olive green over silver. Beautiful!

Thanks again,
Jake Smulkowski
Moscow, ID

I use A on top of A all the time, but normally use a coat or two of Permaglos on top of my underwrap. I used to use a coat of epoxy, but like the thinner coats of Permaglos.

Aside from using CP (it helps), turn the rod around in the wrapper and overwrap going the other way, if that makes sense. Works for me.

Bill in WV

I would go with William Bartlett's suggestion.
Good Wraps Bob

That would work if you wrapping on a hand wrapper but not on a lathe.

Rolly Beenen
Rovic Custom Rods

I just reverse my motor and slide my leth to the othere side of my work table. Most wrapers do not use the power system when doing a candy apply or under wrap. They hand wrap under thread, then flip the rod so they can power wrap the top thread.
Good Wraps Bob

I use a thin silver mylar tape as an underwrap. It's very thin and weighs almost nothing. Then I wrap red over that and finish without color preserver. It gives a nice candy apple effect. I think you can still get the mylar from anybody who handles Merrick's products or even many fly fishing shops. That's where I got my last roll.

I like the Mylar sheets, but always run into wrinkles, no matter how smooth I start out. What am I doing wrong?