Has anyone used the Gudebrod one part rod finish much? If so, how does it hold up over the long haul?

Also - I just noticed they have a one-part, water based rod glue!!! Has anyone ever tried it?

Thanks,

Marc

I tried both several years ago on my first few fly rod builds. First the glue: It did not bond anywhere as well as the the 2 part epoxies. Reel seat parts came loose after a month of use. So I would not advise its use. Second the one part finish which is water based also: It is somewhat durable and easy to use. I did find that it does not retain the shine and luster that a 2 part wrap finish will give you. It also was much more prone to cracking at the guide foot and I did a proper job of making sure that the guide feet were filed and tapered smooth. The three rods I built using these products were all stripped and redone using 2 part epoxies and 2 part wrap finishes. Save yourself the disappointment and go with the two part epoxies.

My personal favorite finish for wraps is Threadmaster Lite after trying several of the major brands of finish. I like U-40's Rod Bond for gluing up the cork and reel seat barrel to the blank and any of the 2 part epoxies for gluing the reel seat hardware together, metal to metal or wood to metal. After I made the switch to these type of products I have not had a failure yet and my own rods are on the water 75 to a 100 days a year. Some of my rods are used by clients when I am guiding and clients can be rough on equipment. You really cannot go wrong with any of the major brands of 2 part wrap finishes and bonding epoxies, its just that everybody finds the product that best suits their needs.

I use the one part finish on feathers. You can thin it with water and it soaks them well and gets the air bubbles out. But when you have it all level you cover it with 2 part finish.