I was wondering what is the best finish coat to use.. Or at least which is the easiest one for a beginner to use to get the best results?

None are difficult provided you follow the directions on measuring and mixing and then just apply the epoxy and leave it along to do its job. Many builders have trouble because they try to force the epoxy to do what it will gladly do on its own, if they'll just leave it alone.

Now that's epoxy. You will find that single part products - the urethanes and similar, are indeed easier to use although they won't give you the same look. You have PermaGloss, Lumaseal, various single part Gudebrod products, etc. If you want to start out with the easiest approach, one of these would be it.

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Tom is right as always. But i would suggest since you are a new be to get any of the thinner finishes. I have read that many beginners apply the thicker finishes to heavy, so the thinner may be more forgiven. Then as you get better the one coat is good. You can also put the heavy stuff on just don't load it on.
But they are all good.
A lot start with Flex Coat.

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/08/2010 03:22PM by bill boettcher.

on my first three rods that I did when I was in washington learning I used a two part finish and I cant for the life of me remember what the brand was.

All epoxy finishes are two part, except the Permagloss and LumiSeal Try a serach of this board and see what a lot of builders use.

Bill - willierods.com

Can you use 2 part over Limiseal once i'ts cured overnight?

Better let it cure a week before putting an epoxy over it.

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Ahh oki doki thanks Tom.

so what is the most common finish coat that is used...

Flex Coat - epoxy. By a wide, wide margin.

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you guys are the best...thank you...is there anything else I should know about epoxys ect..I am placing an order wed to mudhole for all my chemicals and some more thread...

just looked at the flex coat what is the difference between high build and lite build?

The High Build is thicker, the Lite is thinner. You can make a thick or thin application with the High Build. You can only make a thin application with the Lite. You can, of course, apply more than one coat to get more depth with it.

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thank you I know now which I am going to purchase...

All epoxy finishes have a learning curve. Each builder has a favorite. Find one and practice.

Good Wraps Bob

being a newbie myself, I practiced with high build and then bought low build to do my first rod. epoxy is not rocket science. mix slowly, and for 2-3 minutes and you will have no issues ASSUMING you mix it in the proper 50/50 ratio which is easy with the syringes. just apply it slowly and carefully it is easy enough. there are sooooo... many videos on the internet, just watch a few and go for it, but like stated earlier about newbies applying too heavy, that was the case when I practiced wrapping so that is why I switched to the light build. It will take longer to set up (not run/move/drip) so just let it spin until you can take your throw away brush and dip it in the epoxy and create a little peak in the epoxy and it doesn't settle back down. then spin it for a couple more hours to be safe.

And do not touch the finish for at least 24 hours. If you find you need to add a second coat just to it before 24 hours and I would recommend warming the 2 parts before mixing so the 2nd coat goes on very thin.

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." — [Ian Holm (Bilbo Baggins)]