I like the look of metallic thread, but its kind of tough to work with. I'm using size A thread and just for decorative purposes. Here are the questions:

Should I be using a larger thread size?

Is it okay to use the metalic thread as an underwrap - will that make an unstable base to anchor the line guides to?

Are there any 'helpful hints' anyone can offer as far as applying metallic thread?

I wrap mettalic thread a little tighter tighter then the nylon thread, cause the mettalic thread seems to slip easier then the other threads, but it does wear out your razors fairly quick, but thats just my 2w cents in, hope your wraps come out nice!

Brent
I use Size A metallic quite a bit and have had little/no problems with it. D Metallic is definitely more difficult to work with as trim bands.
Some metallic threads are "springier" than others. Robison-Anton (J-metallic); YLI and Rice are among the "softest" while Gudebrod HT metallic is "springy" - and ProWrap is also reported to be more difficult to work with.

Metallic thread is fine to use as an under wrap. I often use bright silver or light gold metallic as an under wrap; over wrap with nylon thread; use no color preserver to get a "candy apple" look to the thread as the silver shines up through the basically transparent nylon thread (goes nearly clear with no CP).

The only helpful hint is to just keep working at it.

Thanks Ken, This is "Fish Hawk' brand that I'm using. Its "aluminized film wrapped over a nylon core". You can't feed it by slipping it through your fingers or it will unravel and twist; I have to grasp it low in one spot and let the wrapper feed it onto the piece. Are the threads you described constructed differently? If so where can I find them? I'll have to say once I suffered through it I do like the look and color. Its really nice that way.

I hate to tell you but Fish Hawk is one of the easiest metallic threads to work with. Sulky Metallic is also very good, but it is small diameter which is a plus for me but may not be for you.

Thanks Mike, ...admittedly I'm a major amateur, but I'm learning fast ! thanks to the good people on this site that have allot of experience. Certainly didn't mean to slight the FishHawk name. There was some discussion on brand names, so I felt compelled to offer what I was using. Thanks again

YLI, Sulky and Robison-Anton are actually embroidery threads - which means lots of places sell them - most any place that sells embroidery / sewing threads will carry them. As Mike says they are thinner - that can be "good" or "bad". Good if you're used to wrapping because they pack tighter - not so good if you're just starting out. I've seen but haven't used Fish Hawk metalics but lots of people like it. I simply happen to have a YLI / Robison-Anton distributor nearby that sells to me in bulk (5,000 yard spools) so I have no reason to try others.

I'm getting the hang of it now... the metallic just presented a greater challenge at first, being 'slippery' and all. I did notice that the beginning of the thread on the spool had a greater tendency for the foil to unravel from the core, but as I used down on the spool the problem of twisting and unraveling pretty much went away.

Here's another question though... I used nylon size A for the base wrap, and it has a larger diameter than the metallic size A. So when I followed the base wrap laying the metallic thread in the 'valleys' , the metallic thread didn't have enough diameter to completely cover the black base wrap underneath. The black had a tendency to show through between the metallic thread... which wasn't all bad; it was kind of a neat look actually. So here's the question: Is it typical to make more than one pass with the metallic to get complete coverage? Or is it just a matter of preference depending on the look you're after?