I found some DuraClear DS19 "Varnish" as they call it but the MSDS reads waterbase non-yellowing UV protected flexible exterior Polyurethane.

It's original intent is to overcoat paintings to keep the colors from fading out when exposed to strong lights & sunlight and I of course thought possibly it might work for rod wrapping.

I ran up a test stick on some 1/2" white PVC with several different types of thread including white, coated with the DuraClear (1 heavy coat) and then gave it a heavy coat of Flex coat Lite build finish. It took the finish well with no fisheyes so far so good.

I parked it out on the back fence where it will be subjected to direct sun all day long so we'll see how it stands up after a month or two.

I was wondering if any of you had ever tried something like this?

I did it with Miniwax Polycrillic. The color retention on that was pretty poor.

Hi Jan,

Great discoveries come out of experimentation. While you're in the experimentation mode, why not try an established product like Lamar ChromaSeal? I have been using it of late and I find it's color retension properies to be A+. 1 fl oz @ $3.85 can seal a lot of thread work. Just a suggestion......

Jan,
The test on white PVC won't really tell you anything about it's value as CP. The purpose of CP is to maitain the spool color as much as possible (especially over a dark blank) rather than protect against U/V. Putting finish over thread will darken to the point of making the thread translucent. If that is the look that you want, don't use CP at all. If you want to maintain the spool color of the thread, use CP. To do a valid test, wrap various color threads over a pc of PVC that has been painted blak

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

A couple years ago Dan Craft sent me a small bottle of water based poly that he used, it appeared to work as well as the 3 CPs I've tried, never have got around to asking what it was yet.

Ken, I am currently using the ChromaSeal and like it so far. :)

Mike, the reason I used the PVC is being white it will show yellowing quicker if it decided to yellow out. I'll do a test wrap on black here soon too.

Why bother? Just use Chromaseal, or 811 cut 30% with denatured alcohol.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

For years I have used plain old clear model airplane dope which is a lacquer. It dries clear in 5 minutes I use 3 coats then apply epoxy. Polyureathane seems to give a slight yellow cast. Lately I have been using a lacquer called Deft which is similar to aircraft dope... Bob.