So I use prokote medium build. I'm having issues with it comming up on the guides during the drying process. I use an 18rpm drying motor. Do I need a faster dryer? or am I using too much coating for the first coat?

It sounds like maybe too much finish. But what I'd recommend trying is after mixing let it stand in a tin for 10 - 12 minutes before applying.

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

It may also be that your dryer is actually too fast for that particular viscosity finish. It could be "throwing" the finish up the guide legs.

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i use 15 rpm and it seems to work fine, but on thicker finishes i use my 10 rpm. need to watch the flow, applying too much heat will make it run too fast also.

Sounds like too much finish Try after putting the finish on Stop the turner and with the guides Pointing Left or Right - so nothing goes to the ring - and let any excess drip off This also tells you that you do have too much on

Bill - willierods.com

I stop turning three times with the guides at 90, 180, and 270 deg from vertical and wick off the excess. Works fine even with micros.

I really appreciate all the reccomendations. I'm gonna give all that a try and see what I get.

Andrew,
Both slow down the dryer, and use less finish.
I suspect that it is a combination of both.

Roger

Sounds like you rod may not be level in the drier. I use a line level on the blank while it is in the wrapper/drier.

Andrew,
I use my power wrapper to wrap rods, apply finish and dry the rods. I have an adjustable speed control, so I can dial in a fixed speed for anything that I need.
I normally wrap at speeds up to 1000 rpm.
I normally apply finish at speeds up to about 200 rpm.
I then slow the dryer to about 20 rpm for a few minutes to insure that all is well.
But for the final drying, I slow the dryer to about 10 rpm.

I made the mistake of leaving the dryer at about 18-20 rpm for one rod, and ended up with a finish similar to what you describe. I am sure that the higher speed resulted in the finish tending to ball up a bit on each guide.

After that, I have made sure to always keep my final speed to the 10 rpm and have had no further issues.

Take care
Roger