I finished my first rod. I tried it all. Even a feather inlay. I had some problems along the way. It took me a few tries to get the wraps right so that I could adjust the guides in a straight line. I tried to use some peel and stick labels that I purchased from an advertiser but I had a very difficult time getting them to stay down on the rod after I applied the second coat of finish. Twice I had to peel this off and finally just finished the rod without the labels.
I have a questions about finishing the wraps. I used a small painters knife to apply the finish. It looks like a spatula with a rounded tip. The wraps finished more bead-like than barrel-like even though I was careful to not apply too much finish. I wonder what others use to apply finish. I have read that some don't like the bubbles that can be introduced by a brush but it looks like one could control the amount of finish better with a brush. Larry Garcia's book says use a knitting needle. Any comments?

Bryce Abbott
Go & Do Likewise

I use brushes of varying width depending upon the wrap width. However......I DON"T BRUSH the epoxy, I use the brush to lay the epoxy on and to finish the ends were the wraps meet the blank. Brushing can create bubbles!

There is a great article about applying epoxy in this sites library!!!

I also use a brush and turn the rod wile applying the finnish.
A good mixer is a must if you start with no bubbles then you dont have to get them out

I haven't looked into a mixer yet. I mix such small amounts in a Golden Witch mixing bowl. If I warm the resin in a water bath before I put it in the syringe it get virtually no bubbles. Is it worth having a mixer if you are only mixing enough to 10-12 wraps at a time? And what kind of brushes? Something like the flexcoat yellow handled brushes?

Bryce Abbott
Go & Do Likewise

The brush is the way to go. I got mine from the craft section at wally world and use denatured alcohol to clean them. Bubbles are apart of it even if you get every bubble out before you apply there is air that is trapped in the thread and under the foot of the guide. A alcohol torch is a good thing to have for bubbles. I only need to put 1 coat of high build and I'm done with the guides. You have to find out what works best for you.

On the decals put 2 coats of cp before the finish to stop the lifting.

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Bryce Abbott
Go & Do Likewise

i have tried things other than brushes to apply epoxy, but was unsuccessful.
I tried various types of brushes, but have gone back to the inexpensive disposable brushes, that I pay about 3 cents each for.

As others have said. I don't brush the epoxy. I just load the brush, get the brush close to the rotating blank and the finish is applied.

To get a nice smooth even finish, I just use as much heat as is needed to thin and make the finish free of bubbles.

Just a touch of heat now and then will take care of the issue.

Take care
Roger