I did a quick search but found nothing and I am sure there are topics on this. My question is how do you sign your custom rods or put the customers name on the rod and make it look good and not bleed under the flex coat. I have a customer that wants this done and I tried everything I could think of. Any special pen to use, do I need to do something to the tread before I write on it. I know it can be done so how do you do it, thanks.

Jeff

Jeff,
I went through this same issue some time ago.
I tried pens, felt tipped pins, metallic pens, different sorts of pen and ink and came up with the following:

1. Get bottles of Fresh Testors model paint.
2. Get pen and quill from art supply stores or from some of the sponsors on the left.
I find that the fine quills work the best to get a nice fine clear line on the blank.

Sign and or detail as desired, let dry and coat with finish at the same time as you are coating your rods.
Either use the Testors cleaner and or thinner to clean the pen, or use Xylene to clean the pen. Xylene will melt the quill holder if it is made of plastic so be careful in its use. If you can get a quill holder made of cork and wood, so much the better.

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Other folks use india ink with good results.. I personally didn't have good luck with india ink but you may have a better method to try it than I did.

Good luck
Roger

Did you come up with this ? [rodbuilding.org]

If you are writing on thread you will have to finish it, then when dry wright on it

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/2009 10:36AM by bill boettcher.

Janns Netcraft on the left has lettering goodies.

You could also go to Decal Connection and have one made up.

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks guys very helpfull I will try to use some of these ideas and see what happens.

Jeff,
These are the nibs and quills that I use for writing on rod blanks:

[www.dickblick.com]

Take care
Roger

If you look just in front of the reel seat on this rod:

[www.rodbuilding.org]

You can see the customers signature done using the technique found here:

[www.rodbuildingtutorials.com]

Easy to do, looks like a weave, and definitely adds something special to the rod.

Due to some unforeseen copyright issues, I had to close down my Cabochonrods.com website(Thanks Zebco/Quantum). You can reach me at dave@emeraldcoastrods.com if you have any questions.

Thanks for the PDF file that was cool, I want to try this soon for sure.

I apply a coat of finish.

After the finish is set I lightly sand with 1000 grit paper.

I sign using a rapidograph drafting pen with opaque white ink. With the fine tip its easy to get 5 lines of text around even a light crappie rod.

Lightly spritz with artists spray fixative to ensure it doesn't smudge.

Apply a coat of finish.


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Better to have and not need than to need and not have.