Is it possible/acceptable to stop at the wetting out process to maintain the textured feel on carbon fiber grips?I have two customers who would rather have the feel of the texture rather than smooth surface.Any protective coats needed?
Dave White

It's hard to do because the carbon fiber sleeving is itself pretty smooth. There is no texture to speak of, really.

The glass sleeving does have texture you can feel. Just wet it out and leave off any top coats and you'll most likely have what they want.

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Dave, I have found on the wetting out stage, I use as little of the west epoxy as possibe, Brush it on with a foam brush very light just enough to get it wet and then when it dries lightly sand it. Like Tom said it will be smooth to the touch but you can see the texture as apposed to having a finish on top of it. I then coat it with LumiSeal for protection. Thanks
Scott

Scott Parsons
919-900-8998
[www.roddancer.com]
[www.fishhawkthreads.com]

I have built most of mine with out putting an outer coating on.
I prefer the look and the feel, and weight savings of the handle that way.
There is not really much texture difference, but it feels different

If you have a copy of Rodmaker Volume11 Issue #2, the rod on page 21 is done that way
I run the handles through a buffing wheel to get a look uniform

I don't use the shrink wrap method. I apply 5 minute epoxy to the foam core, put the expanded sleeve on, pull both ends and massage the sleeve briefly with my hands to "wet" the carbon fiber from the inside. After that hardens, I apply one or two coats of permagloss. This seems to retain the feel of the carbon fiber weave while providing a hary glassy surface.

I do both...For super smooth do the Shrink Method. For the texture I do it like Richard. I use an epoxy from US Composites for mine...when I wet it out and use a gloved hand to remove the excess it leaves a distint texture...then I give it a spray with urethane for some gloss...works great.

Scott Sheets
www.smsrods.com

Another idea, would be to purchase the heavier fabric sleeving which will automatically have a little more surface texture. You aren't going to notice any more weight, but the fabric weave is larger and more pronounced. It is only marginally thicker, perhaps 2 mils or so.

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I have been very successful at retaining some of the "Texture" of the fabric by applying the wet coating and wiping most of it off with a nitrile gloved finger and after it has set for 24 hours, lightly sanding with 400 grit, dusting and then applying another coat and again wiping most of it off in the same way. I get a gloss but retain about 25% of the texture.

I use the RR-321 epoxy from Riley Rods.