On the Fuji 'black' colored Alconite guides (BLAG, BLNAG, etc.), what is the 'black' coating? How does Fuji color the guides? Anybody have any durability problems? Is it salt safe (assuming the rod is rinsed after using)? Any info appreciated. Thanks.

Don't know what the coating is, but it work very well in the salt. I have some rods that weren't taken care of very well when I was stationed in Florida. Used every day and put back in the stern at dark, still look fine and are in use 18 years later, though they see little saltwater now..

THey use a heavier coating now, I think it chnagd sometime last year. It's now glossy and blacker, so if youhave "old" stock of Alconites, or evenother black guides - tehy will have a different color.

Tehy hold up Ok as long as you rinse them.

The black alconite (BMNAG) is what I use on most of my surf rods. So far no problems.

I just bought some new ones and they did seem to have a thicker coating. Definitely glossy. I like them. Thanks for the replies.

The black coatings on the Alconites are resistant to salt water. That coating does not use a copper based pre coat for adhesion. One thing that I would suggest - if you prep them on the foot to expose the 304 stainless DO NOT use a Sharpie marker pen to color the tip before wrapping - the coloring contains chlorides which contributes to stress cracking of the stainless.

The guides are pre ground now. The new coating is nice, but it does come off if you really abuse them. Let me explain REALLY ABUSE - I built a few rods for a party boat last year, out ofthe 4 I did 3 were broken, 1 graphtie, 1 composite, and 1 glass. The other one broke 4" off the tip andthe captain just glued another one on, the hooks got caughtin teh anchor line and the rod and reel went through the anchor block, the rod came back with the reel feet still locked in the seat, 4" missing on the tip, and theline still strung through the guides, hooks in teh anchor rope. Aboutna hour later they retrieved all teh line and got teh rest of teh reel back. The captain rests his rod on a staiinless steel rail, and holds itin place by wrapping a sinler around teh rod and rail, teh rod slides all over and teh guide @#$%& teh rail 500 times a day, lol. After a day of fishing, tehy take 12 rods, bundle them together, adn throw them underneath the deck, in the moistest environment possible. ROd is fished 7 days a week, 300 days last year, and teh coating has worn off some of teh guides.

lol, all the ones I put on "normal" people's rods are just fine.