I'm having a problem I've never experienced with epoxy finish.
I started to apply the finish above the grip where the inscription and trim wraps are applied. Immediately fish eyes appeared all over this area. I was very careful mixing the finish, used a new brush and thought all was well. All the finish was immediately wiped off, thread removed and did a good clean-up with denatured alcohol. Earlier that day I did a caulk repair in the shower. Could this exposure to silicon be the cause? I washed my hands thoroughly before starting on the rod. What can I do to prevent this from happening again?
Thanks for your help.

John Van Emmerik

Silicone is the #1 culprit ! And silicone is the fix. Fish eye destroyer or what ever the name is today can be found at a good paint store.. tell them what your problem is and I am sure they will fix you up.

In furniture, all the products that are for "dusting" like pledge, en dust, and most of SC Johnson's products carry silicone in them.. and when you refinish furniture, nothing shows up until the final coat !

Silicone gets airborne very easily. Your caulking job is the most likely culprit.

Next time, don't do any caulking until after you're done with your rod finishing. Or, keep the rod well covered or far, far away from any product being used that contains silicone.

............

Hi John, yeeeeoooouuuuch ! Cleaning up a silicone mess is tough. But, if you pay close attention to detail and cleanliness you'll get through this. Stripp off the threads and labeling of the affected area. Wash the area several times, 7 - or more, with new paper towels and 70% rubbing alchohol each and every time. After each application of alchohol, use another papertowel and wipe it clean and dry without smearing to much into the new area above the affected area. You may even use "Dutch Cleanser" in addition to the alchohol wash, not together (don't mix chemicals), but as another separate wash. DO NOT use "Comet", it has too many abrasives, will scrtach the surface of the blank.
This kind of careful washing has worked in the past for me. I still had one little "fish eye" when mine was done, but that's better than what I had before !
Good luck and let us all know what the outcome has been, when you're done!


Good Wrappin !
David A. Fuller,
Great Basin Fishing Rods
Full-Time RV'r Traveling- n- Fishing
www.mytripjournal.com/FullersBigAdventure