I finished my first "full" rod build the other day. Now my question is such, and I understand variables come into play such as humidity, temp and the like, but what I'd like to know is this.
After applying your last coat of epoxy, and letting it cure (let's just say for 24 hrs.), how much longer after that can you start using the fishing rod? I have heard many different opinions, up to 6 days of cure time before first usage, what do you do?

Sergio,
In most cases, the epoxy cures to the touch in 8-12 hours.
However, to really completely cure, most finishes need about 72 hours.

Take care
Roger

Humidity plays no role in the cure time of epoxy. Temperature does.

At room temperature, the rod should be safe to use in about 3 days. I wouldn't use it before then, even though the finish may seem well set. It will still be soft enough that water, fingers, etc., can leave marks and dull or cloud the finish.

If you put the rod in an area with higher temperatures, say above 85F, you may speed the cure enough to use it in a couple days. But I just wouldn't risk anything sooner than that.

..........

I do at least 8 to dry (always), 36hours after the initial 8 in summer time when its 90degrees outside, and 48 (after the initial 8) in winter when its 60-75 outside. This is Classic Coat high build only.

Lighter build finishes seem to take longer to cure to me, up to 4days in some cases even outside in 80 degree heat.

with daily temps of 28-33 C , i'll normally wait 3 days

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Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day..
Teach a man to fish, he'll be broke!