My gift fly rod build was finished 4 days ago, and I had left it on the rack for the Flex Coat to cure. I checked it out an hour ago, and it looked perfect. I put the sections in a rod sock, then put it into a rod-reel case. It was tight, so I removed it, took the rod sections out of the sock, then put them into the individual sleeves of the divided case. Then I thought of taking some photos, so I removed the rod sections, and started taking photos. That's when I noticed that many areas of polymer had something very wrong. They had lost their gloss, as if they had been rubbed, or touched with a solvent. I cannot figure this out.

You can see photos on my Photobucket page here:[s11.beta.photobucket.com]

What can I do, and what might have caused this? I'm might upset. Please help.
Thanks in advance.

No photos of rods there.

I could see them but you need to look a bit in the sub albums.

Try this link: [m11.photobucket.com]


Anyway, it's hard to tell in the photos, but it looks like the epoxy was a bit soft still and got some minor abrasion from the cloth of the rod bag. Just put a very light coat over the top and you'll never see it. Then let it harden for a week before putting it in a cloth bag.

Flexcoat has two finishes The new UV finish is better then the old finish

You could try a wax or auto polish on it to bring up the shine Even a furniture polish
If you do and it does not work and you refinish Wash the wrap before you refinish -- fisheyes

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks Drew. The reason I'm upset is this rod needs to be delivered today. And it is a very special gift.
I am totally puzzled, since I've made other rods and put them in socks with less than 4 days curing time.
I wonder if there is something I can rub the polymer with, to bring back the gloss.

Sorry about the Photobucket link not working. That site has given be problems lately.

I agree with Drew. It was probably not completely cure for whatever reason. I have had this happen to me before. If you just scuff it with a 3M pad and put a light coat over the top it should be fine. I would use a faster drying epoxy if you have one. Something like TM high build would dry fairly quick at 72 degrees or higher. Just use a light coat. If you were using ProKote and the temp was lower than 72 it can take a long time to dry completely.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

Thanks very much for your idea of polish, Bill, and your warning about preventing fish eyes. I used the new, UV-improved Flex Coat Lite.

I will try the polish, then put the rod sections in those plastic bags that rod blanks come in. They shouldn't cause any abrasion, I hope. Or maybe I'll just have to give an apology that it the rod will not be ready for Christmas.

Wish me luck! Thanks very much for everyone's quick response. Much appreciated.

better late then the customer does not like it
Got the same thing going on with a build Did not know what the customer wanted in colors until a few days ago and had to order several

Bill - willierods.com

Especially since the customer is my daughter, Bill!

Try these photo links:

[i11.photobucket.com]

[i11.photobucket.com]

[i11.photobucket.com]

[i11.photobucket.com]

Blushing???

What is "blushing", Jim?

Okay, I used my jeweler's loupe, and I can see microscopic pits on the areas that have lost their gloss. Is that "blushing", and if so, what is the cause and the cure?
I have ruled out abrasion from contact with the rod sack or case. Much of the problem areas could not have been contacted by the sack or rod case, because they are right up against the guides, on top of the guide feet.

I wouldn't recommend polishing it, i doubt if it will remove those dulled marks. And if after doing that, and you don't manage to remove all the wax before applying another coat of finish you could be cursing if fish eyes do appear. Best to just lightly scuff the surface, remove the dust and apply another coat and make sure you mix well to avoid this possibly happening again. I can understand you wanting to get this done in time for christmas as you said it was a gift for your daughter.

Jersey, Channel Islands. (U.K.)

Good point, Steve. Okay, I have to go now, and deliver a backup gift to my daughter. I'll check back here later, for any other suggestions.
Merry Christmas everyone, and thanks very much again for helping me out.

If it isn't totally dry and hard to the touch, don't do anything other than wait until it gets that way. then put another coat on it and let it totally dry/harden. I would not apply wax as it could compromise later coats of finish.

Scuff and apply a light coat. Once it is beyond the sagging stage put it in a small room with a space heater. Get the temperature up for a few hours and all should be well. It might not be ready today, but it will be tomorrow.

My guess is micro-bubbles that popped once they were touched. I encountered this with Threadmaster just this week. The rod looks absolutely perfect sitting on the rack. I wait 2 or 3 days for a full cure, then I polish it and that's when it happens. Some of the wraps look matte. Under magnification, you can see tiny pits where the bubbles popped.

I agree with the other posts.
Let it dry for two more days, then apply a coat of finish and let that dry for three days.

Then, you can deliver a perfect rod.

It certainly looks to me like an uncured finish was touched by something and dulled the finish.

I don't think anything bad happened except handling the rod, before the finish was fully cured.

Better to give your daughter the rod case, with a picture of the rod.

Then, when the rod is 100% finished and 100% dry, give it to her.

Be safe
Roger

Never have I waited three days for epoxy to cure...but I usually let it set up in a 90+ degree environment. Overnight usually does it, but 24 hours is a safe bet. Do the small room/space heater setup, and put a foil pan of your epoxy in there also. When the pan of epoxy is safe to touch you are golden.