I just finished wrapping a bamboo rod. I used nylon thread in Cardinal red with metallic black trim. The blank is very light in color (not flamed, and not varnished). I ran 3 coats of Flex Coat CP on the wraps. I tried to keep the CP off of the blank thinking that the CP on the blank might show through the varnish, or not let the vanish get to the blank. Now I am wondering if this was a real concern, or if I should have extended the CP beyond the wrap. I don’t normally use CP, and the few times I did use it, I was not happy with the results, but this was with epoxy on a graphite blank. I should have come to the brain trust before I ran the CP. What do you think? Should I extend the CP onto the bamboo blank to seal the wrap, or should I wipe the CP off the blank (I have shaky hands)? Will the CP on the blank show when I run the varnish? If I need to wipe the dried CP off the blank, what should I use?

Mike Bradfrod
R.M.B. Fishing Rods
Nampa, Idaho

The varnish will seal the wrap. All you need to do is coat the thread. In fact, it's better if you don't extend the CP onto the rod blank.

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Tom:

Thanks for the quick relpy. Now how do I get the dried CP off the blank where I went beyond the thread?

Mike Bradfrod
R.M.B. Fishing Rods
Nampa, Idaho

Isopropyl alcohol, on a small piece of paper towel, with pressure from your thumb nail will remove it. be careful not to get alcohol on the thread wrap.

George Forster
Fort Collins, CO

Thanks George, that is sort of what I thought, but didn't want to mess things up.

Mike Bradfrod
R.M.B. Fishing Rods
Nampa, Idaho

Having refinished and restored hundreds of cane rods I can tell you this. You want to seal those wraps well.
Are you dipping or brushing your final finish?
Make sure that the "tunnels" of wraps on the guides are sealed. I usually drip some CP in there and let it flow in. by standing the rod on end. I'll do all the tunnels on one side of the guides and stand it up on the butt. then flip it over and do the other side and flip it on it's tip. that way the CP flows in.
If you get a little CP on the blank it shouldn't show. I'm working on a Leonard right now and after stripping off the finish I still have ridges of the original CP (lacquer) that they used.
after you CP apply a coat of varnish brushed onto your wraps and let it dry for about a week.

If you are dipping many times you will get bleed thru. Some say that it's from the pressure of the varnish in the tube. If you seal well and give tham a caot of varnish first you should be OK. that first varnish coat will tell you if you are going to have problems.
If you have questions feel free to PM me.