What type of preparation should I do before applying finish to my wraps?

Last time, I wiped with denatured alcohol. It seemed as though the finish didn't want to adhere to the surface of the blank, or the thread. Someone mentioned I shouldn't wipe down with alcohol and cause contamination. What should I use, if anything?

Mark,
Some folks wiill disagree, but I use the blue masking tape - light tack - to remove any dust or other things that might happen to have gotten on the wraps.

Before every wrapping the rod, I do use a good wipe down with denatured alcohol. I have never had any side effects from wiping the blanks with this before ever starting the guide wrapping.

Take care
Roger

One good thing i learned years ago is too keep a spray bottle with a mixture of 1 tablespoon dish soap, 1 Tablespoon alcohol, and fill with H2O. This is not ment to wipe the wrap but used to clean the blank. I use it also to clean the whole rod before sending off to a customer. I have found the best cleaner for a wrap is too not get it dirty in the first place. I know this is not the answer you wanted to hear. A dust free (I use a reverse fan dust collector) and a clean working inviornment is the best cleaning method. I try to always remember to wash my hands before a wrap. I store my thread in a dust free container. Clean my renzetti often. Sanding and turning done in seperate room. I also keep a can of air on hand and will blow off a wrap before finishing.

Mark

I also follow Billy's methods for the most part. I wipe down the rod blank before wrapping any guides or butt wrap. Sometimes just with a dry soft cloth and sometimes with a wet cloth with a little mild soap on it. I wash my hands often while wrapping and handling thread. I use a doubled over piece of blue painters tape to "dab off" any dust or fuzzies on the wraps before cp-ing or applying finish to the wraps. I have never put any alcohol or other cleaners or solvents on the bare thread wraps. My thread spools are stored in closed plastic boxes. If I need to walk away from the wraps for any length of time (days) before I get cp or finish on them I wrap a small piece of tin foil around the wraps. I vac my lathe area before i start wrapping every rod. I also keep a can of compressed air handy. I think that these little "habits" help me to produce a better end result with my finishing.

Rog

Start with a clean rod blank and then keep it clean during the wrapping process. If you feel the need to clean your wraps of dust, just hit them with a soft brush, similar to what you use for applying finish.

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How about the water break finish. Would that be a good idea before you do the butt wrap or guides and other components?
Paul

Paul@soonercustomrod.com

Do you mean water break free preparation for the blank surface? ALWAYS do it for component installation. But not for guide wrapping. You want to be able to remove the guide for repair at some point and if you do the WBF thing you almost cannot get the guide off. I know......I tried it!

A water break free surface isn't necessary for butt or guide wraps.

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Ok, so I give........what is the Water Break Free preparation I should ALWAYS be doing for component installation? I'm a beginner & had never heard of this........

There is an excellent article in the library above. Water Break Free basically comes down to scuffing the blank, and any components that may have a smooth shiny surface, with a scotchbrite pad.

The W B F surface prep is mostly used to prep the blank where grips and reelseats will be installed.

Rog

Got it! Did the reading & understand. Thanks Guys!!