first post first time using silk. will be using pearsall gossamerthread and flexcoat lite finish. i would realy like to keep the color of thead. should i use flexcoat cp and how much. how long between coats of cp if used?

I normally use FlexCoat CP on nylon wraps but I've been happier with Al's Color Rite (available from Angler's Workshop) on the rods I wrap with silk thread. It might just be my imagination but the colors look more brilliant to me. I allow a couple of hours between coats and overnight before finish.

ditto on using Al's color rite
There is also a new product from Mike Sinclear that is made for silk. I've seen the pictures and it looks good
Either way i usually use at least 4 coats of Al's with 12 hr's between

thanks for the info. it will be usefull

dont know if it makes a differance but this is a graphite blank

No difference regarding the blank and 3X on the Angler's Workshop CP for silk.

thnx again just orderd cp from anglers workshop. still not sure on good dry time 4 cp . 12hrs seems like a long time.

The reason I do 12 hrs is just a time thing. I can coat in the morning. go to work. coat in the evening, sleep. repeat.

Try Cason Crystal Clear (one of the advertizers on the left) and he will have a booth at the EXPO, is the best I've used. I've tried Gudebrod 811 (old formula), Al's, flexcoat, etc. from my expierence with silk weaves.

that makes 12hrs. make sense. have you ever used als color coat for feather inlays

I haven't tried Al's on feathers. I'm sure it would work fine.
Are you really sure you want your first experience with silk to be with gossamer? All I can say is to get extra and practice first. Also remember those spools are much smaller that regular sized. and it takes more thread to cover when using the smaller diameter.
I've come close to running out when doing a 9' rod. It's good to have extra from the same batch.
That's just my $.02

you are right about the gossamer. luckly figured that out even before got it in the mail .and orderd some size when i orderd cp. good .02 though

finally got rod wrapped. but when i put on cp my chesnut silk thread turned a brown color. (al,s cp) anyone have any ideal s on why this happened. i will most likly finish it this way it still looks good. is the lesson here to check thread and cp on a dowell