I have always though that the purpose of lite build thread coating was to cover the wrap with the minimum amount of material to cover the threads thereby conserving the amount of added mass to the rod. I thought one coat was sufficient. Now I read suggestions of using multiple coats or multiple coats required when using lite build epoxy. How much epoxy is really necessary? If you need multiple coats then why not use high build in the first place? I thought using high build was a matter of personal preference or cosmetics for rod builders or customers who prefer the look of a thicker finish. Do certain types of rods require thicker thread finish?

John
God bless the troops and USA

Depends on how much you put on per "coat." The single coat I use may equal the 3 coats somebody else uses, and they may feel they get better results by using 3 thinner coats.

On your other question, heavy duty saltwater rods, charter boat rods, etc., that are expected to see a lot of rough use, getting bumped, banged, scraped, etc., generally do better with a little more finish thickness in order to offer a bit more protection to the thread. Lighter rods or those that don't see that kind of daily use or abuse, can obviously get by with a thinner top coating.


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Would it be a good guideline to say that the heavier the rod the heavier the amount of epoxy-- a 5 wt fly rod to have thinner epoxy than a 10 wt rod?

Maybe, maybe not. When I speak of a heavy duty rod I'd be speaking of something far heavier than a 10-weight fly rod.

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Even when I use ether finish. I apply thin multiple coats. I apply one coat then I remove all excess. Let set tell it is tacky and repeat the process till I get the desired covering. I hate one coat systems

Good Wraps Bob

Like Bob I apply multiple coats first coat soaks thru the thread and fills the tunnel and I can trim any rough edges that might show. Subsequent coats build to thickness I want. I don't remove the excess on the first coat but with the lite formulas they seem to soak thru better. I am using TM Lite now but can't really tell the difference between TM and FC.

Bruce

John,

I use multiple coats of thin/lite finish. What I'm trying to achieve on freshwater rods is this: [www.rodbuilding.org]

I want just enough finish to cover the threads. If I can feel the threads or see thread ridges, I'll add one more coat. I think having just enough finish to cover the threads is a good rule, for me anyway at least.

DR



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/2009 08:16PM by Duane Richards (DR).

Thanks that is what I am shooting for. I would suspect that with very thin coats bubbles are not an issue.

DR what you don't want are footballs That is one reasonwhy I do thin multiple coats

Good Wraps Bob

On my personal rods, they all have a minimalist approach and barely even cover the guide wraps. All my intent to do is pretty much seal off water intrusion on those rods. Permagloss or any of hte lite build finishes work great for this, but on others rods, they want the "pretty factor" which I cannot attain with a single coat as I use 2-3 very thin coats of high build finish.

DR that is a great finish job, looke vary even all over, the transition from blank to wrap is fantastic

Good Wraps Bob