I just finished my 10wt last night and i used Threadmaster. I really liked it! I used Flex Coat on the 1st rod an it was good but Threadmaster was much better. I felt it leveled better had longer pot life and released bubbles easier. I found it to me more forgiving and gave a better final look. If you are new to rod building try Theadmaster out! You will love it

Kevin Gross
Many men will spend their whole life wondering if they made a difference. Marines dont have that problem - Ronald Regan

I'm with you. I used two other brands of finishes before, and Threadmaster is my favorite. I just used Threadmaster light for the second wrap coat and WOW, I really love it. Super thin!

I started out with TM High and Lite builds. Now I use Mudhole ProKote almost exclusively. It makes TM Lite look thick!

I've used Fex Coat High and TM Lite. I really like TM Lite, but if Prokote is better then TM lite, I have to have some. Thanks

Try it, you will like it! It is billed as a medium build, but starts out way thinner than TM Lite, and thickens slowly, so you can get a decent build out of one coat, by letting it soak in while thin, and then adding more as it thickens up a tad.

I like the build of the prokote, but found it didn't release bubbles as well as TM lite does. Just my experience. Both are very good products.

The ProKote is much thinner, so when you heat it to release bubbles, you will often 'cook' the epoxy and make the bubbles worse. I let it sit in a shallow foil tray to let the bubbles pop (or blow on it with a straw) so when I apply it with the spatula, there aren't really any bubbles in it. When I apply the second layer from the same batch of epoxy after it thickens up a bit, you can use the heat easier on it since it is thicker and doesn't run or cook as easily.

If you'll pour your epoxy out onto a sheet of aluminum foil (after mixing, of course) you create more surface area and any bubbles will tend to release quicker and easier. You'll also extend your pot life by doing this.

Something that will help is to avoid bubbles to begin with. Mix very slowly, or better yet - use a mechanical epoxy mixer. You can make your own (RodMaker Volume 6 #4) or you can buy a commercial unit as they're readily available.

Another thing that helps is not to brush the epoxy around on the wraps. Brushing creates bubbles. Use your brush like a spatula, to apply epoxy from above as you rotate the rod underneath it. Then get away from the wrap and let the epoxy do what it will naturally do.

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