I recently bought the Mudhole carbon fiber grips. It is wrapped fiber around foam. The grips have no Perma gloss or finish over them. Should a coat be applied? Will the fiber fray if not?
Thanks in advance.

That is personal preference.
I prefer not to put a finish on them as it adds unnecessary weight.. Others prefer the more polished look of an applied finish.

There have been a coupe of excellent articles published in Rodmaker on applying finish if that is what you choose.

I agree with Steve. The composite sleeving( like they are using) is better without a top coat in my opinion. I like the look and tactile feel when using that material, but prefer to top coat the carbon skin. it is all personal preference.

While on that subject how do the uncoated grips handle fish, bait blood and guts?. I'm thinking it would get into the fibres and be difficult to remove or is there enough epoxy in the fibres to stop that from happening.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Col
I've not had an issue with that at all.
But let me also clarify that I am a competitive bass fisherman which means I'm using Artificial baits and not cutting up what I catch. So there is seldom any blood to speak of.

Unlike JP I also prefer not to coat carbon skins



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2012 02:14PM by Steve Gardner.

Hi Steve,
Thanks for that, some of the rods I'm going to make won't be mine so who knows what happens. Might try both to see how I like them and how they stand up to that.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

From my experience, the uncoated style, if not finished relatively smooth, can become uncomfortable if you are fishing it all day. I've heard the same from several tournament fishermen as well.

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Many thanks. I will go unfinished. I like the feel of it better.

Many thanks. I will go unfinished. I like the feel of it better.

A smooth top coat makes the grip more tactile and easier to grip (not slippery) than a rougher, textured unfinished surface. I'd suggest you fish the grips "as is" and see if you like them that way. They can always be top coated on the rod at a later date if you decide to go that route.

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I agree with Alex on unfinished grips that are not smooth.
Which is why I use the shrinking heat tubing method to do grips with. The heat shrink compresses the cloth to provide for a smooth comfortable surface.

anyone who is applying a finish, what are you using?

PermaGloss or LumaSeal.

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