i am in the process of building a 12' rod used for large catfish.my ? is ,is it better to put a coat of finish on the under wraps before the guides are installed?thanks again.james gregory.

If I want to keep the color I CP it and then a wet coat - after CP dries- of permagloss over for a hard coat to wrap over.

Bill - willierods.com

I think the jury is out on this. Bill's suggestion works, as does using a light coat of epoxy in lieu of the Permagloss. Personally, I have never bothered. If the guide feet are well prepared, I simply do the under wrap, then wrap on the guide, apply 2-3 coats of CP, and then epoxy when the CP is dry. I have saltwater rods used on bluefish, stripers, cod and pollack that were built this way in 1973. They are still going strong (although the Mildrum guides are looking a bit long in the tooth).

I guess it is 6 of one and a half a dozen of the other.

My thinking is when the under wrap is finished there is no trying to clear the in between the feet.

And - have not had to do it- but if the guide ever has to be taken off for what ever reason it is highly possible to save the under wrap.

Bill - willierods.com

Much easier to wrap and epoxy if you coat the underwrap first. No need for CP is youuse metallic underwraps.

I put a THIN layer of epoxy on the underwraps. This makes a stronger based and really simplifies making the overwrap. Also if you do this you can use A size thread for BOTH the underwrap and the overwrap. If you do not coat the underwrap with something you just about have to use a small thread on the bottom and a larger thread on top.

I do a thin layer of epoxy on underwraps also, helps make things go smoother, and helps if you have to repair a guide later

thanks for all the help guys.i appreciate it.james gregory.