I like the feel of flocked grips and have used them on the last several grips I've put on rods. The problem that I've encountered is that when I remove the residual glue that accumulates at either end of the reel seat, a portion of the flock is also removed. What I'm left with is somewhat unsightly. I've been waiting three days for the glue to cure. What am I doing wrong?

It shouldn't remove the flock, but it would still be unsightly.

Assuming you've followed the instructions from RodMaker to the letter, I'd suggest that your flocking job is okay. What you need to do now is get that epoxy off the rod and grip before fully seating the grip.

As you slide the grip down, stop and remove the excess at regular intervals - don't let a large amount build up there.

Or, you can install the grip first, then seal and flock after it's been mounted on the rod. That's part of the beauty of the flocking process - the stuff isn't going to stick anywhere you don't have the special adhesive. So you can flock before, or after, the grip has been installed.

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

What I did not make clear in my original post was that it is the alcohol that is removing the flocking material . I think I'll follow Tom's suggestion and apply the flock after I've mounted the grips.

The only thing you'll need to do then, is carefully tape off the reel seat so you don't get adhesive on it. Same with the blank just ahead of the grip.

...........

Tom,


Thanks for the reply and advice. This gives me an excuse to build another rod!

I also apply the flock after everything has been glued up and epoxied. It is a pain but doing it that way is better than having to worry about getting glue or epoxy in the flock.

The real problem area is the leading edge that you are moving into place. Put a loose fitting inverted rubber grommet on the lower end and allow it to wipe excess Rod Bond from the blank while you are shoving into place. Go a little at a time wipe excess from the leading edge grommet wiper and be careful. When the grip is in place and grommet surface is wiped cut grommet and remove. I soon discovered that I was applying way to much epoxy on the blanks when placing grips - ream the cork right and it does not take very much to get a strong attachment. Getting epoxy on a well flocked grip is really a bummer - changes the surface - discolors - alcohol removes epoxy and flock. The use of a thin silver or gold cork spacer ring on the reel seat end will give you enough room to clean extruded excess before it gets on the flock surface. I use a dental pic to remove any excess that appears when placing seat. Your can develop work practices that will not allow this to happen.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/06/2007 09:47AM by Bill Stevens.