I want to use a gold / red thread underwrap under the hook keeper on a 6-ft Med action spinning rod. This is also grip check wrap. I have found nothing on the forum about treating an underwrap before wrapping over it. Should I treat it or just wrap over it.
Some years ago before I got serious about pursuing rod building, I tried something similiar using nothing between the underwrap & hookeeper before I coataed everything with Devcon 5-minute epoxy. It definitely looks "non-professional" but it is holding. Now I want it to be pretty as well as functional.

It depends. If you use size A for the underwrap and D for the overwrap, you should not have an issue. However, I have used size A for both and I tend to get small gaps in the overwrap because the thread seems to fall in between the valleys of the underwrap. In this case, I apply a very thin coat of lite build epoxy to bridge the valleys and provide a flat surface for the overwrap. Hope this helps,
Andres Perez
Miami Florida

The choice is yours. Some do the underwraps, then the overwraps and then coat the whole wrap with or without cp and finish. I prefer to apply finish to my underwraps first, then wrap the guides and apply finish. By coating the underwraps first it makes it easier to burnish the overwraps on a smooth surfface. Plus the guide feet will be slightly enbedded in the finish - eliminating any movement and forming the strongest bond when you apply just finish (no cp) to the overwraps. Make sure your guides are perfectly aligned first as doing this procedure will make it difficult to adjust them.

Jersey, Channel Islands. (U.K.)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/2012 04:18PM by Steve Mcleod.

Hi Rex,
I use madeira for under and overwraps and always put a coat of cp on the underwrap, holds everything in place. It needs to be packed well before the cp goes on. As Steve has said the choice is yours. Do a bit of experimenting on a piece of scrap blank with different methods and see what works best for you.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

If you want a real good and hard coating put CP if you want then one or two coats of permagloss for a quick drying and hard coat which is nice to wrap and pack on for the underwrap

Bill - willierods.com

You can do it either ways. There s no 'right' way.

I have tested runny fresh epoxy on up to three layers of thread with no coating or color preserver on any layer and the thread will wick in the epoxy just fine. Color preserver will block the epoxy from wicking into and making contact with the blank. No contact means no bond.

HI Matthew,

I have just read all the replies to this topic, I must say I never knew there could be so much to talk about wrapping a guide. I was told if you do under wrap use A color fast threads, pack tight then place guides ,wrap with D threads under medium tension, make final alignment , one coat of lite epoxy , let dry on rod turner for 1 hr.,now put 1 coat of high build epoxy, Let dry on rod turner . Now you have a good bond to the blank. I try to use all color fast threads on all my wraps. I wish I could tell you who taught me that but I can't, I just know it works for me.

I hope it will help you . Richard Curry Maysville GA.

What is life without fishing ?