assuming you've done it all perfectly, the mix, application, etc., how long do you all wait before fishing the rod? the instructions say eight hours but I don't really buy that, so a couple days or does the rod need to sit for a couple of weeks to really give it time to cure super hard? oh yeah, I'm using Flex Coat Lite.

I'm on the home stretch, last step, of my first project. thanks to everyone for the invaluable info.

Art,
My experience with Flex Coat, and I don't think that other epoxies are very much different, is that it takes a good week, depending upon temperature, for it to get completely hard. However, I think that it is saft to use in a couple of days.

I have applied Flex Coat to wraps on a fly rod at 9pm on a Tuesday night and then taken that same rod out for a test session on the river at 9am the next morning. I have done this in 90 degree temps and below 0 temps. I have never had anything happen to finish doing this. I am, however, carefully to not scratch the finish when testing a rod like this. Flex Coat may not be the prettiest finish, but it sure is super easy to work with. I mostly use a few other finishes for customers rods, which require longer curing times, but if I need to get a rod out the door, Flex Coat is my choice. I would recommend at least a 24 hour curing period before handing a customer there new rod, I doubt they could scratch the finish very easily at that point.

Jeff - Platte River Rods

Hi Art-

I agree with Emory. You can use the rod as soon as the next day.... but I like to wait. If the rod is for a customer, I hold it for at least a few days before delivering it. Especially if it will be shipped in a tube and (mis)handled by UPS.

If I can dent the finish with a fingernail, I'm hesitant to use it. I will wait until I can't before using it.

Tom Kohl
Petrochemical

Just finished FC-lite on 2 rods this weekend, with 12hrs between coats. At 60F-70F, they're still a little soft after 24hrs. wont fish them till next weekend. When i cant dent my test glob on tinfoil, theyre good to go.
Aint this fun!
RB

Yes it's fun. Question: is it necessary for the first coat of epoxy to be completely hard before applying the second coat?