hey guys,

well my dad has just got back into building and he just purchased the P844 IMX popping blank to roll up into a snapper stick for over here in aus.

What he wants to do is paint the blank (probably a greeny color) but he is pretty "nah shell be right mate" in his building techinques and not as @#$%& bent on perfection as i am.

Now his plan that he just told me was to paint it with some paint which DOESNT have flex agent and put a coat of regular finish epoxy over the WHOLE rod.

:S :S In my opinion and im sure many of others, thatd be the last thing id want to do to a expensive blank.

So what im asking is how is it best done? if he must have it done im not gonna let him ruin a rod by not doing it properly.

would taking it to a auto shop and getting them to spray it and put a clear coat with the flex additive be the way to go?

Thanks guys, hopefully i can talk him out of the rod finish method before he does something @#$%& regret hahah

When I researched the same subject, the consensus was to use an automotive paint with a clear. There were other options, but auto paint and a clear was the most recommended. Some did it themselves with a rattle can and others had it done professionally.

Here's a search for "paint blank". There are lots of relevant threads, though some not so much, that will give you some help.
[www.rodbuilding.org]

Putting a coat of finish epoxy over the whole rod will dramatically up the blanks weight. I sure wouldn't spend the money for an IMX blank than just add so much weight that it feels like a glass blank when your done. That blank in all it's graphites is one of my favorites.
If I was living down under, I'd personally be using less of our blanks and more of the CTS blanks, they also come in a larger color selection.

Tom,

I paint all of my blanks. I get old cheap rods to rebuild or the unfinished $4.95 blanks from Mud Hole. Since both of my choices require me to change or update the finish, my solution...paint them. I also like the idea of making them even more "custom" by letting the person the rod will be built for choose the colors or theme they want. I have done quite a few with different paints and have had various results, good and bad. I am getting much better though. The last two I did look like a true factory finish. The best paint I have used is Duplicolor car paint with Duplicolor clear coat (from a spray can). The quality looks great and seems very durable (no long term test to date, but no ill effects thus far).

Several times I mixed a color with Flex Coat (lite) and "painted" rods. Came out just fine.

I to have used Duplicolor and have had very good luck. I have asked Duplicolor about flex agents in the rattle can and they said that the formula used in the spray can can be used on plastic bumpers. I have not had this paint crack on me yet! The only thing is the limited colors!

thanks fellas

Use a color pigment to tint some PermaGloss to your liking. Wipe on quickly ( a search here will tell more about doing this) and use 2 coats.

This gives you the hardest, toughest, longest lasting blank finish at the bare minimum of weight. It's also extremely flexible.

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