I am building a Batson 1086 salmon rod and have put a King Salmon decal on it and the rod decal. The blank is a dark gray - should I put CP on the decals or not before the finish? Thanks for any input.

Ron Jack

Often times epoxy will not stick to a glossy surface so it's best to coat the decal with something. I've had good success with a coat of CP. If the CP itself pulls away a bit in spots, let dry and then apply a second coat. That's usually enough to ensure the epoxy can be applied over the decal with no problems.

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May not be necessary, but I always apply CP

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!!

just make sure it is Dry before refinishing Or it will go cloudy

Bill - willierods.com

How about a a real small piece of wet/dry sandpaper way up the scale folded just right for the job and wet. Take your time. Lightly lightly just go over the decal and really don't think your going to scuff the whole thing at all. I really don't like to wipe with DNA after this as it may effect the decal. So a wet then dry paper towel does it for me. Then apply your first coat. Not a cure all ,just my method.

Never had a problem applying epoxy right over the decal. But, no oily fingers on the top of the decal!

For myself it depends on what kind of decal. if its those ones with the pictures, then well, i put it on let it sit for a day ( its a personal thing lol) then take the other paper off. i make sure to not raise any edges. then i just apply epoxy. if its for the ones that is words and the entire thing is a decal, and not just the shape of what you are putting on,( for instance the striped bass decal has no plastic film behind it, just a striped bass) then i aplly 2 coats of cp. wait 6 hours then apply epoxy. works fine for me. if it raises during the first coat then tie it down with some thread, apply the next coat, then remove the thread before the epoxy dries, and then add another coat. hope it helps.

For myself it depends on what kind of decal. if its those ones with the pictures, then well, i put it on let it sit for a day ( its a personal thing lol) then take the other paper off. i make sure to not raise any edges. then i just apply epoxy. if its for the ones that is words and the entire thing is a decal, and not just the shape of what you are putting on,( for instance the striped bass decal has no plastic film behind it, just a striped bass) then i aplly 2 coats of cp. wait 6 hours then apply epoxy. works fine for me. if it raises during the first coat then tie it down with some thread, apply the next coat, then remove the thread before the epoxy dries, and then add another coat. hope it helps.