I'm getting ready to use Nu-Skin Rod Armor for the 2nd time. The 1st time I used it was with a kit I picked up at the 2007 Rod Expo and it included 2 sided mylar tape.

This time I've ordered some from Mudhole but theirs doesn't include the mylar tape.

I'll be installing over EVA grips. My question is what should I use this time to "hold" the Armor in place. I did a search and see some mentioned using a little rod bond or rod finish underneath the Armor. But I also saw an earlier post that wrong adhesive could cause problems with material from which the Armor is made.

Anyone have a recommendation on what would be best to use (assuming I don't have any mylar tape)?

Thanks

I have used mylar tape, double sided masking tape, and I have used nothing. I can't tell the difference.

a little paste epoxy will not hurt at the ends

Over EVA you shouldn't need anything except at the very ends just to keep it from creeping. Once I have it installed and shrunk , I roll the ends up and apply a bit of epoxy, roll back in place and apply some more heat. Let that setup and your done.

I hated using the mylar tape it comes with. It always rolled or it was a struggle to get the NuSkin over my cork tape underwraps. I have a number of rolls sitting on the shelf from various kits (want them?). I like to use an old shoemakers glue. The brand name is "Barge Cement", comes in a yellow squeeze tube and you can get it at any hardware store. I've probably used it on a dozen rods that I've put the NuSkin covering on. I usually put NuSkin over 2 wraps of cork tape. I've never had any of it slip, move, or do what I didn't want it to after lots of hard fishing use. NuSkin is great stuff, and now it comes in colors other than black.

Jon Gold



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/05/2008 10:26AM by Jon Gold.

Another thing to remember with any of the shrink wrap is that even though it shrinks to about 1/2 it's size is that you should get the closet fitting size to what you want to wrap
i.e. If you have a 32mm handle you should use the 35mm shrink wrap even though the 40mm would work) I only usually glue the ends as well and leave a little to tuck under the reel seat and gimbal on a rear grip or under the reel seat and wrap and finish the end of a foregrip.
With it fitting almost snug from the start (before you heat it) you wont get that annoying feeling of it moving in your hands in the middle where it hasn't been glued.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/2008 04:17AM by Simon Oakley.

Regardless of the handle type, I always spray the entire area to be covered with 3M #99 adhesive. Rock solid.