I was recently given a sample kit of the Liquiglass finish to try out. I just finished a rod with it and was VERY impressed to say the least. Not much that I can add to Ken Preston's in-depth review but the thing that amazed me was that, after mixing, it was almost like looking in a glass of water!! It was by far the clearest that I have ever seen. Although some may not, I really liked the long pot life. Kind of in between Light and Regular. I have no idea on the long term effect of U/V but Ken did some pretty extensive testing [rodbuilding.org]

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Hello Mike,

Your, and Ken's, reviews remind me of Envirotex-Lite casting epoxy. Sold into industry in gallon quantities, the same product (as per MSDS documents) is sold in smaller quantities (8oz kid for ~$10) as a casting epoxy. It's called EasyCast, sold by arts and crafts stores. My calls to Envirotex a couple of years led to the agent leading me to EasyCast when I inquired about E-Lite. Super long pot life and extremely clear hardener. Mine is at least two years old and the hardener is just slightly off clear now. Resin was, and still is, clear as water. Very low odor.

Last weekend I coated a test wrap, and not anticipating the slow cure time didn't rig up my dryer. I sat there rolling the short blank section for a loooong time while watching TV.....

Jeff

Every finish is clear as can be when mixed up and applied and heated up. How does it hold up to sunlight? E-Tex from what I've been told does yellow over time, I don't know that for sure. LiquidGlass is extremely hard when set up, even harder than Threadmaster to my fingernail test.

Doesn't casting resin get extremely brittle? The items I've seen done with it can be chipped and scratched almost like glass.

Envirotex yellows extremely quickly in direct sun. I used it to cover a puzzle on a patio table within 6 weeks it had yellowed to the point it was difficult to see the puzzle. I would not use it as a finish on anything that will spend anytime in direct sunlight.

Most of the Envirotex coatings are intended for indoor use, only. However I really haven't kept up with their product line so I have no idea what they may or may not offer for exterior use.

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Jimmy Mac, I had tried EnviroTex Lite, it has a warning on it , ENVIRTEX LITE IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR EXTERIOR USE, so thats telling me, its not good for us rodbuilders .
THANKS JIMMY MAC

Back in the early 70's before epoxy finishes were available, builders here in South Florida used Envirotex. It used to turn yellow and crack.
Rick

Good thing I never used it on a rod.

Jeff

Jeff is probably talking about a different Envirotex product than their standard bar top coatings, although I don't know anything about it.

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The product I'm referring to is their EX-74 formulation, improved over EX-88 in that it is said to be more UV resistant. When I inquired about obtaining a sample of EX-74 the company rep pointed me in the direction of EasyCast. She suggested I read the MSDS documents for the two products. They're identical.

I'm not endorsing this product for guide wraps, as I have not used it as a guide wrap finish on a fishing rod. One day I'll get around to doing a more formal test of the product on a guide.

Jeff

Casting resin is not what you want to use on fishing rods - or anywhere there will be flex. It will yellow; it will craze and crack.