Hey guys,
how long do you all recommend waiting before you fish a completed rod? (I am using flex coat epoxy if that matters).

I wait one week (5 day at least).

Here in Sunny Florida, three days is plenty of time. It will differ based on climate and thickness of application (light freshwater rod versus heavy saltwater rod).

24 hours is the time it takes to cure the epoxy. You can fish it after that. You may have some surface tack still, that takes a day or so to go away. It won't affect the epoxy, it can attract dirt and fingerprints.

I wait 48 hours

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Super Tight Lines......Don

Most of the popular epoxies we use for finishing guide wraps will take up to two weeks to completely cure. Generally, however, unless the temperature where you keep the rod is very low, it'll be cured enough (hard enough) to fish in about 3 days without risking any harm to anything.

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Awesome guys. Thanks for all your inputs.

Steve,
(24 to 72 hours after applying finish in a warm shop or drying rack is normally a good guide line)

Good luck
Roger



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/06/2012 10:34AM by roger wilson.

Maybe I'll age this one then.
Thanks Roger.

Steve - the finish in the pan or mixing cup - what was left over

Serves a purpose. It will tell you the truth each time.

The rod can be fished with no structural or cosmetic damage to the thread finish if it passes the thumnail test.

Press your thumbnail into the test sampe periodically until it does not penetrate easily. or at all.

The time interval is subject to many variables - the only way to know is to test it on the rod in question.

Hi Bill,
Good info, Ive been keeping my leftovers for a few years now and it serves a number of purposes.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

I have been using a shot glass so I am not saving left over epoxy. Outside of seeing the dry time, what would be the purpose of saving it?

I'll give this rod the thumbnail test when I finish it.
Thanks.

Hi Steve,
Apart from what Bill has mentioned you can use it to test to see how it's set up and you don't have to touch the rod. Get some out of the shot glass and store it in something like a milk bottle top.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Also lets you see how your finish yellows over time. Try a few different ones and put the set up "disks" out in the bright sun over the summer. Might help you decide on a brand when all other things are equal.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Nice guys. Once again thanks for all the help.