I have been thinking about trying this to a couple of reels, I only want to do like the side plates on a Abu 6000 or something. I have done quite a few marbled rods and maybe I am just overthinking it but do I need to somehow rotate the parts as the base coat is setting up, if not it would just run off, right? I have been trying to think how I could make some kind of "stand" of sorts so I could mount it in my chuck on my drying motor to keep the finish level, does that make sense?

I marbeled my whole reel which was an old Quantum EX 500 and it did fine without rotating it but I was probably using a different application than you may have been. I was using automotive (HOK) Marbelizer air brush paints and it came out fine. I clearcoated with auto. clearcoat which takes about 5 hours to dry. I did make something out of pvc and a pc of a wacky noodle to rotate odd parts though. It attaches to my dryer just fine.

Intrigued by the use of paints to do this. Epoxy is heavy and colored paints would seem to be more ideal. Any specifics you might care to share?

Im with Barry on this one, I would like to know a little more about the paints and the wacky noodle, I may have in mind what your doing, maybe?. The method I use is the same one on here in the library section, or the "Putter" style of marbling, works great but I'm not real sure on how to do some odd ball shaped pieces like I mentioned, I am going to try something tomorow.
I also wonder if I should lightly sand down the side plates to help with the epoxy to stay put a little better?

I think you would be well ahead of the game if you contact Putter directly. I've seen his reels and his rods. Based on what I know of him from the events I've attended, he is more than willing to share his ideas and techniques. He has a DVD available as well. He's already figured out a way to marble the entire reel and I do mean the ENTIRE reel!!.

I think this is his email:
putter@dia.net

That is a good idea and I think I will shoot him an e-mail and get some info, thanks guy's and thanks Ken for the address.

Here's another email address I found for him
putter@nccray.net

I have used the HOK products for marbeling reels and it works great. I have some example photos in the links below. I would have posted them here but.... photo page issues...

So I hope the links are OK to post.

This reel is black base, with silver marbeling and a translucent blue added to part of the reel to give contrast and to show how you can create alternate colors of marbeling by using overspray or mixing products.






I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." — [Ian Holm (Bilbo Baggins)]

Thanks Charles! that is what I am looking for, I would love to know a few details on how you done the process, my fear I guess is keeping the parts rotated to keep my base coat from running, after it starts to set then im ok, but getting that first part is what is eluding me, any info would be great!
thanks

prep reel surfaces, airbrush on HOK base color let it dry at least a couple hours, spray on the House of Kolor (HOK) Marbelizer fairly wet and then you take plastic wrap and press it down on the reel surfaces you just sprayed and lift off the plastic wrap, let that dry, if you want to apply a coloring over the marbelizer color you picked then just air brush it on where ever you want it. Kandy red looks very cool as well. once all of the layers have dried to the recommended lengths of time I have been using a Dupont automotive clear coat following the directions for that product.

So no turning, spinning... Just an airbrush / touchup spray gun. HOK has/had the instructions on line if you want more details.