Is there a way to test the effect, i.e., resulting color, of any (non-CP) color nylon thread on a blank, simulating the effect of epoxy finish without actually applying epoxy? I don't have any spare blanks of a similar color and I want to see the resulting color of, say, Gudebrod 340 Gold on a grey, matte blank. Can I do a test wrap on the butt section and maybe brush some alcohol over it to see an approximation of the thread once epoxy is applied? Anybody got a trick?

Jim,
I usually do exactly what you just said, wet the thread with water or alcohol to see how much it will darken when epoxied

Wrap a trial wrap on the area that will be under the reel seat or handle and apply finish. This will give you exactly what it will look like. You can then cut it off if it is under the handle, or even leave it on and mount the reel seat over it.

take all your thread and put 1/2-3/4 wraps of each on a wood dowel or a piece of a blank apply CP when needed (Nylon) then apply finish then you will know what each looks like when finished



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/25/2010 04:50PM by Barry Thomas Sr.

Jim,
I do it all of the time.
I just put a dozen wraps on the blank you are wrapping, tie it off, and then liberally wet it down with alcohol. Wetting it this way, will very closely simulate the effect of applying and curing finish.

Take care
Roger



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/25/2010 11:51PM by roger wilson.

A wooden dowell does not simulate a dark blank, as it is much lighter the thread will appear brighter than it will on the actual blank.

And the winner is:

I wound 4 strips of various thread colors on the reel seat area of the butt section, mixed a very small amount of finish (since I had no need to let this set up, I wasn't worried about precise proportions in the mix), and applied finish on the color strips. This not only showed me the color effect of each strip on this blank, but it beat the alcohol method in that I could also see the true color with a gloss finish. Wiped the finish off when I made my decision, cut the threads off and wiped the remaining finish off with alcohol. Badda-bing. Thanks for the tips.