Folks,
At the risk of starting a minor debate.... What is your favorite epoxy wrap finish and why? Underlying reason for the question is that I simply have "gotten in a rut" using the same finish for the past 5 or 6 years and may have missed out on any new products and their benefits/detracting characteristics. As a side-light I was really fond of a two part finish that was sold by Manhattan Custom Tackle in New York City - but they went out of business three or so years ago. Their finish was a very thin (but flammable) mixture - so no alcohol lamp for bubble removal . However it was an excellent thin finish that carried pigments well for changing the color of rod blanks.
Ken Preston

If it was flammable then it wasn't really epoxy. Epoxies are composed of solids. Sounds like their finish had some sort of solvent in it.

I use Flex Coat. Just works for me. No suprises, no muss no fuss.

check out the Trondak U-40 site (link is at the left) and see the LS Supreme, this is the choice of many of us here and it has really made a big differance for me. The finish remains as clear as it is when it is applied with no yellowing, and air bubbles have become a thing of the past. I was a devout Flex Coat user untill a fellow builder turned me on to the LS Supreme, it is all I will use now. Ralph O'quinn is the man behind the product and also a frequenter of this board, any questions or problems that have been associated with the product are addressed and delt with in a timely manner. I like knowing that the business's products that I use have ears here as well as can be contacted directly.

LS Supreme.
I put finish on new rods or repairs at least 3 times a week. Over old finish, new finish, and thread. As long as the surface area is clean, I have never had a problem.

Bubbles take care of themselves. Just be sure to warm up the resign bottle before mixing.
Love the stuff,
Buzz Butters

I've used them all and had good results with all of them. I doubt anyone can look at the rods I've built and tell any of those different finishes from one another. The end result I've gotten with them is usually about the same. Except for clarity on white threads.

Due to the clarity of these two, I now use mostly LS Supreme on my freshwater rods and Glass Coat on my saltwater stuff.

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

Flex Coat, Glass Coat, LS in that order. All of them are good and results can be outstanding on any of them. Like Tom I like Glass Coat or LS on white or light colors, other colors I use Flex Coat just because the ease of use,

The best one I ever used. Diamond Coat-----"sigh" it ain't been available for many years.

If you haven't tried the AMTAK finishes, you should.....You would be pleasantly surprised. I use both the regular and the lite versions and they are very easy to work with. The lite version handles a lot like LS. Clarity is exceptional. Pricing runs less than the others also.

Ray Alston