I'm looking for opinions here: Which color preserver causes the least amount of change in the color of the thread to which it is applied?

I use a good deal of Metro brand poly thread in my weaves and for under wraps. Like Madeira, it is silicon treated and requires a color preserver. I have been using Flex Coat brand, but the colors come out darker after the preserver dries. I'm looking for something that will allow the true thread color to be maintained.

That is the first I have heard of Metro Thread. Just out of curiosity what lead you to use it?

If you're putting light colored thread over a dark colored blank, the thread is going to lose a shade no matter what brand CP you use.

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Metro is virtually identical to the other brand. Not quite as many colors, but still lots. Great quality, and the price is even better, at $0.75 for 1,100 yard spools.

Tom, this sometimes happens even on thread that is wrapped over another color. Thread brand doesn't seem to matter.

Years ago my teacher used a solvent-based CP. It worked great short term, but in the long term colors faded pretty badly. I'm just wondering what people's favorite brands are, and why they like them.

I just sold the last of the old Gudebrod 811S/Brilliance2. THat was by far teh best CP as far as retaining colors. NExt on the list is THreadMAster CP, but people have had some issues with it repelling epoxy - I didn't, but a few people have. Other than that FC & U40 CP is acceptable, I haven't tried some of teh other CP's that are on teh market, so there might be a gem I'm missing (I have so much 811S I don't really care anyway).

One thing is for sure, do not trust anyone's opinions when it comes to what brand of CP is best. I've read stuff about CP which is flat out awful on here, so make sure whatever you get you test yourslf before using it.

I thought I was losing my mind/doing something really wrong but I have had problems with Chromaseal repelling epoxy as mentioned in this thread. Isn't CP absolutely the last thing that should do this? Had not questioned it in this venue because I had convinced myself that it was my fault somehow. Replaced bottle I was using/different brushes/allowed more drying time....those have not corrected the problem.

No, CP should certainly not repel the finish. But some products take time to perfect. Sometimes such perfection is the result of a lot of lab and field testing. Other times it happens after the product is released and thousands of people begin using it. Any problems quickly raise their head once in the hands of the consumers. This is the sort of thing that users should bring to the attention of the maker - it helps him improve the product.

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I just bought a bottle of U-40 Color Lock 2. It is by far and away a better product than the Flex Coat CP I have used in the past. The U-40 does not darken the thread as much, and there is no dull buttery coating on my wraps after it dries. Now that I know that there is a huge difference in products, I plan to keep experementing with other brands.

I have used Threadmaster CP a lot and haven't had any issues of it repelling the epoxy finish. Maybe I have missed it on this forum. I use 2 coats and let it dry at least 24hrs before putting on the finish.

Try Acid Rod for that - good - 911. he may still have it.

Bill - willierods.com