Hi all,

I am only a relative beginner, have just finished my third rod, a Batson RX6 3pc spinning rod

After applying the epoxy finish to the last few guide wraps, I had a cigarette lighter lying on the bench and decided to apply some heat from underneath by sweeping it from side to side, about 4-5 inches below.

After the epoxy had dried on those few guides, it had a slightly cloudy appearance and was nowhere near as glossy as I had experienced on my first two rods, or even on other guides on the same rod.

My Question - Is it likely that the cigarette lighter has produced a smoky / sooty residue that had penetrated into the epoxy and caused this??....or should I be looking elsewhere for possible contamination, such a not cleaning the brushes and mixing cups properly??

Thanks

Dale
Hobart, Tasmania, AUS

If it was a Butane lighter, there should not have been "soot", the other type of lighter definitely! The really should never be the need to apply heat to the epoxy.

Hi Dale,
Cigarette lighters generally burn butane which doesn't burn cleanly, so if the problem is only on those guides you used it on then then that is the likely cause. If you had contamination in your mixing cups etc then all your guides would have the problem. I use a small LPG torch to do mine and it doesn't cause a problem unless you overdo the heat. You can also use a hairdryer but remember that they can blow dust etc into your epoxy and cause a problem. The torch tends to burn up most small particles. I'm not a fan of alcohol lamps but a lot of guys use them. If you haven't got any bubbles in your finish then there is really no need to apply any heat.

ESFNEM Col

The lighter is the source. If you must use a lighter use it along side the wrap not under it. Butane does not burn clean in a lighter, in a torch yes.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Dale,
Was the lighter butane, or was it lighter fluid.
If it was lighter fluid, and if the flame is quite yellow, it is not a good idea to use this for a source, since it will emit a lot of smoke.

If it is a butane lighter, the lighter generally burns fairly cleanly.

However, if you use a butane torch, then you are generally better off, because it burns even cleaner than a lighter with a near colorless flame.

If the flame burns with no color, you can be pretty sure that you have a clean heat source that will not contaminate your finish.

Take care
REW

Thanks everyone.

Not sure if it is butane or lighter fluid - it is just a standard Bic lighter, but it does have quite a yellow flame. I'll definitely never use a lighter again.

I have been extremely happy with the epoxy finish I have achieved and I haven't really had any problem with bubbles, that would require the use of heat anyway.

Using the lighter was just a bit of a silly spur of the moment thing that I did at the time...like "Oh, this seems like a good idea"...but obviously it wasn't!!

i've used a bic on hundreds of guides and wraps - never had an issue. After i melted the tip off a rod once i sure don't hold it very close or for more than a split second either.

Regards,
-Justin

I have used Bic lighters for 6 yrs now and not one problem,, But If you notice when You first strike the wheel a cloud/stream of smoke, this may have caused the problem if you held it under the wrap while striking..I have always held it off to the side as it has already been mentioned.

Also I have a butane 5"x1" (Pen type) solder gun, when the tip is removed it converts into a screened torch heat blower...This my friend is a dream, 3/8" screened tip that applies the heat only where you put it, meaning you can control it with punpoint accuracy on any bubbles that may arise. Its made by Lenik.@ Sears.

Just leave the finish alone -- It knows what to do The only thing I use a lighter for is to burn off frizzes.

What you can try is I put my finish on a quick turner. This way I get it on fast. After all is applied I stop the turner and do a 180 turning and if any sags I take them off. After several times I then turn at a slow speed

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/06/2011 08:14AM by bill boettcher.

Yes. its a sooty residue. I have had it happen but rarely. Holding the flame directly underneath would be the most likely reason. As a beginner I used matches for quite a while with no problems. I always let it light fully from a distance and then go near the wrap.
I never go under a wrap with any type of flame. I don't see a reason too. On the side is fine. Bring a lighter or match or an acohol burner slowly close to your finger from the side and you will quickly find out how much heat your putting on the epoxy and use that as a guide. Your just trying to release surface tension so the air bubbles can escape not actually pop or see the bubbles release as you heat. Give those bubbles a chance to get out for 10 or 15mins. minutes then check your work.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/06/2011 03:14PM by Jeff Seabridge.

Yes Dale a lighter can and does leave a hazey cloud in the epoxy especially on light coloured binds. Done it myself. Now if I have trouble I use a small gas torch. These burn a lot more cleaner. The only thing is to keep the flame setting quite low or you will can add more bubbles than you remove. Practice makes perfect. Don't give up.

By the way Dale. If you have any other problems, you can email me. Just click on my name. Us Tassie boy's gotta stick together.
Cheers; Woody.

Thanks again everyone for all the replies

Hi Woody, its a nice surprise to hear from you.
Do you live in Hobart, or somewhere else in Tassie?

Nah mate, don't live in Hobart. I live in Burnie the good end of the state. Just joking. Had a look at your photo's in the other part of site. Not bad. You will have to buy Billy Vivona's book and try some fancy wraps. Do you wrap by hand or machine?