Just a thought:

I just got an email from Mud Hole about their new ProKote Medium Build Epoxy and it looks pretty good...I liked what I read about it. I think I'll give it a shot. Anyone else in here ever used it? If so, what did you think?

Justin Goodwin



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/2010 12:31PM by Justin Goodwin.

I have some here that was given to me to test at teh ICRBE, unfortunatlely I havent had a chance to test it. I intend to apply it to a test wrap and see how it holds up to the sun light, but we havent had a lot oof sun out here lately, will probably work on that soon though...

As with most new finishes,it just makes sense to buy a small amount and experiment. Test wraps. Every finish seems to have a learning curve for each user. It you get good results easily,then keep on using it.
I am hopeful that most companies making the finishes marketed to us have done their own testing. However,that involves lab settings usually. How that translates to real world use may or may not be the same. I am sure many of these finishes have been used in other applications before they were ever marketed to the rodbuilding community. It just makes good business sense that if you make a product for use as something else,find as many similar markets and target those as well. It keeps people working and money coming in for them.
Anyway,give it a shot and let us know how it works for you,good and bad.
Chuck

Nothing unusual about this. Back in the day Bullard had his Diamond Coat and then Diamond II. Clemens offered Crystal Coat and Super Poly Build as their house brands. House brands are good ideas for those that can afford to buy and package their own products. Sometimes its probably the same product you are already buying under a different label, but half the fun of rod building is trying new stuff and seeing what suits you best. Everybody likes something different and this is why there are so many brands of epoxy finish on the market. I would bet that Mud Holes finish will gain many supporters very quickly. Just depends on what you want in an epoxy.

I had the opportunity to use a sample and all the characteristics that could be observed in the short term such as leveling, cure time, bubble release, working time and flexibility were excellent.

Bill Davidor

It is a medium build.

Always something new a couple of days after I place an order.

John
God bless the troops and USA

I was able to try out a sample and have been impressed by it. Many characteristics of a high build finish, with the extended pot life of a light build. Superb bubble release, and as with any finish good leveling.

I have a test couple samples that have been out in the sun for approx a month or so now over white thread, and that thread so far still looks bright white. Time will tell on this one, but so far it is holding up better than a few other brands have at this time period.

I also got a sample to try before the ICRBE. I like it. It looks like it might be a winner for saltwater fly rods where a light build isn't quite enough, but a high build is too much. It had the longest working time of any epoxy I have tried.
As for high build, I am really liking the D-2.

Thanks for the info everyone. You've all been extremely helpful as always.

Justin

P.S.---If any of you rod builders are in the Tallahassee, FL area, shoot me an email. wubs02@gmail.com

high build can be put on thinly to.

High Build epoxy can be applied so thinly as to look like old fashioned varnish. However, the difference is the working thickness and while some like high build viscosity (I do) others don't. So viscosity has more to do with how manageable the user feels it is for their technique, not so much as to the build depth you ultimately end up with on your wraps.

...............

I burned through two sets of sample packs and now have it on over 30 rods. I love the pot life. I can coat a 9'6" leadcore rod with double foots in one batch, no worries and I am much slower than many. It doesn't seem to pull away from the edges like some of the other finishes. Most of the bubbles pop on their own, sorry Todd, no need for the bubble buster on your epoxy LOL. It is priced right and the savings from not doing two batches for larger rods will save money over the long haul. It does seem to set up slower, an overnight drying time before touching is best. I actually wouldn't fish this epoxy for a couple days, it does appear to take longer to fully cure. I'll take that small inconvenience with all the positives. One other thing that is nice, it works perfectly at room temperature, no need to heat it or keep a messy bottle in my pocket. I keep my shop air conditioned at 70 degrees and it works fine right off the shelf.

Does anyone know if the Diamond II finish has UV protection in it? Heard good stuff about it, except for that!