Two different rods with different brand thread (size A). Threadmaster Lite (which is a few years old but no prior issues), mixed in plastic cup over prior dried batch and a new cup as well. Seem to be small pieces of "stuff" here and there even over lable and bare blank. I may be over working the thread when burnishing causing some fuzzies but they still show up where there is no thread. Also tried applying with spatula and new brushes. Only thing I can think of is some lumps in the epoxy but I cannot see anything when mixing. There are no lumps in the left over stuff. These are small about the size of a penciled period.

If there is anything at all in the epoxy, it would be small crystallized portions. You can microwave the resin bottle (loosen the cap) for about a half minute to a minute and if that's the culprit, it'll clear up.

You could also buy another epoxy finish kit and just start fresh. If you continue to have this problem, at least you'll know it's not the finish.

...........

Bill,
Buy yourself some new guide finish, mix, apply and move on.

Even though finish can last a long time, if you are having troubles, toss the finish, buy a fresh batch and move on.
The work wasted, the $$ wasted is not worth the trying to save a few $$ by using old materials.

Yes, as long as the finish works correctly, go for it.
That is one of the reasons, that if you are doing something or using something that has not been done or used in a long time, to a test first. i.e. in your case, do a test application on another piece of rod blank to be sure that the finish will give you the results that you would like to have on your rod.

Unfortunately, when you run into an issue like this, the most expedient thing to do, is to cut off the guides, wraps and finish and start over.
If you just apply another coat over your coat with issues, you will see the defect through the top coat.




Good wraps.

Roger

Yep the resin had some "grit" around the top. gave it 15 seconds in the mocrowave and do not see it any more. I will whip a test batch up and if the problem is resolved and if not completely gone out it goes! Thanks being somewhat of a perfectionist stuff like this drives me crazy! I could never mak a living building rods but I do enjoy it!

Bill, it sounds like you were also using the leftover cups from other batches you had previously mixed. Any dust or particulate in those cups by chance? For the most consistent results, I always use a new cup which I keep stored in a sealed bag. Hope you get it sorted out-good luck.

I once had a sharp edge on a spatula that scraped tiny bits of plastic off the cup and mixed it into the finish. Finally figured it out and polished the spatula.

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

Only reuse cup on one project so no issue there. Never thought about scraping the plastic, I will go back to my popcicle sticks! I will do a trial batch tonight and see if it has no trash after heating the resin. I suspect that will fix the issue. Any additional issues I will just toss it out. I looked at a couple of the rods I did with this finish a couple of years ago and they were fine, no problem other than an occasional bubble. I plan to just fish them for a couple of weeks the redo the wraps. That way I can address any problems that should pop up while fishing. Well except lack of fish catches!! I would have gone to new finish but I kept thinking it was something I was doing wrong.

I always mix in a shot glass. I got that idea here on the forum, and it works great. The smooth rounded bottom makes the mixing easy, and it cleans up with an alcohol wipe ready for another use. I also mix with the small metal spatulas from Mudhole-the one with the rounded bottom is perfect with the shot glass.

Those plastic cups have small nubs on the bottom that interfere with the mix.

Drew