Hi Everyone,

I am in the process of finishing my first Bamboo rod. I know that using multiple coats of Varnish on the wraps is "the norm", but I am curious what you Bamboo guys think of using Glass Coat on the wraps instead? Is there an obvious difference in appearance or durability, or is it simply a tradition issue?

How does Glass Coat look over Silk wraps?

The blank has been varnished with a Tung based varnish, and therefore will not be dipped, only the wraps remain to be finished.

Any thoughts?

Depending upon your technique, you can apply most any epoxy in such a way that no one could possibly tell that it's not varnish. But, if you just dump it on and create a high-build situation, most people will find it a turn-off on such a rod. Many find it a turn off on wraps on graphite rods as well.

Epoxy will generally be more durable over the long haul than varnish, but the urethanes go on more like varnish and offer many of the qualities of epoxy. I'd take a hard look at something like PermaGloss or you could even take a stab at using Varithane. Both give good performance with a traditional look.

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Hi Mark,

As tom says anything can work but, If your looking for a classic look would stick with a spar varnish or a no mix urathane.

I have had very good luck with Varathane 900.

Not only is V900 a good finish for wraps it also works well as a cp.I normaly use 5-7 coats on lighter rods wraps.

With V900 silk and nylon wraps only loose a bit of color and the wraps go SEMI clear rather than clear and dark as is the case when using epoxy or pemagloss.

Somthing else to ponder is most folks like the amber tone of wraps as a bamboo rod ages , permagloss will stay clear for years. the Varathane will yellow a bit.

V900 can be hard to find but Russ Gooding at Golden Witch (a sponser ) has 1/2 pints in stock,

make sure to get a can of ox block to preserve the can in between uses .

happy wraps "John"

I have used Birchwood @#$%& Gunstock Oil, gently wiped on, for years as my primary bamboo rod varnish. I also use it on silk thread wraps with and without color preserver depending on the look the client wants. For rods that are being restored for stream use, I much prefer to use Permagloss on the wraps for long term durability and the look of varnished wraps. John makes to very good points: Permagloss doesn't yellow with age, and Russ Gooding is a great resource.

Mark,

I guess I'll play the contratian role here. If you're going to use epoxy finish on silk wraps on a fine bamboo rod, you might as well go all the way and use single foot ceramic guides and a plastic reel seat as well. In my mind, fine bamboo deserves the extra time and attention required by a fine spar varnish. I know that makes me a traditionalist, but that's a role I'm plenty comfortable playing.

Harry Boyd
[www.canerods.com]

Mark,

I guess I'll play the contratian role here. If you're going to use epoxy finish on silk wraps on a fine bamboo rod, you might as well go all the way and use single foot ceramic guides and a plastic reel seat as well. In my mind, fine bamboo deserves the extra time and attention required by a fine spar varnish. I know that makes me a traditionalist, but that's a role I'm plenty comfortable playing.

Harry Boyd
[www.canerods.com]

Well,

I accidentally posted twice, and mis-spelled the same word in both posts. Should read "contrarion" in the first sentence of both posts above.

Harry

Well Harry,

You said it... technology aside, tradition wins out and I can not disagree with you.

I will go the route of Varathane or Spar varnish.

Thanks for all the replies!!

Best Fishes,
Mark