So far I've been using light build U-40 and light Flex coat for my flyrods. My question is how heavy should the first coat be applied? Should it be done as if it were the final coat, or can it be more of a base coat (ie. not worry so much about brush marks and unevenness? I've been trying to do the first as if it were the last, and am just wondering if I really need to be that carefull, or would i be just as well applying it very thin and then giving more focus on the final coat ?

Personally...I just like to put a thin first coat down. And I do it fairly quickly. Just enough finish that the threads are fully saturated and not sticking thru. Any little fuzzies or air bubbles can get trimmed up between the 1st and 2nd coat. The 2nd coat is for the final look and build.


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

Larry,
I ordinarily never use more than one coat of regular flex coat. When done correctly, this is all that is needed. It fills very nicely and leaves a level smooth finish.
If you have the bad luck to have some thread knobbies sticking up, you will have to put down a 2nd coat after trimming or sanding off any nubbies that might have popped up.
However, if you have good thread and good wrapping techniques, the 2nd coat is normally not needed, if you are using the high build finish.

With the flex coat light - you will almost always have to put down a 2nd coat. If you do use the flex coat light - put down enough to get complete surface coverage on the non thread parts of the blank, as well as complete thread saturation.

Take care
Roger

By thread saturation do you mean it is ok to see the thread lines through the finish? Maybe just a hair more than CP? In other words I dont need a smooth finish on the first coat? Both finishes I have worked with are light build.

My 1st coat often shows "ridges" of the thread. My goal is to just get past that point. But...it really doesn't matter that much. Mostly, I'm just looking to remove as much air as possible and firm up any nubs of thread I may have. Once the first coat is set, its easily shaved with a razor blade.


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

I just want to get the thread covered with the first coat. I spend a little more time on the second coat, making sure I get good coverage and a nice finished look.