Ok, so i have noticed a big difference in my finish vurses everyne elses on this board and the NERB's page and stripers online and a host of other places. I cant seem to get the lines at the ends perfectly straight or the rise to be gradual. Is there like some trade secret to doing that or am i really that bad with a brush? I use Flex oat original high build, could a new finish make a difference with this? Thanks - Tyler

Tyler,

take a look in the library. The article in there on epoxy should set ya in the direction you are wanting to go.

Tom

Tyler,
Use finish that is freshly mixed so that it flows nicely.
Spin the rod fast so that you apply it and get nice clean edges. Use only enough finish to get a nice smooth finish and the rise will have a nice shape on the final finish.

Remember, don't really brush the finish on the rod. Rather with the rod spinning, just let the rod pull the finish off the end of the brush. Any more than about 5-10 seconds is all that should be spent on a single guide.


No need to go back and brush a guide and its finish. Gravity and time will take care of the smoothing and leveling of the finish, as long as the mix is fresh and the finish flows nicely.

Good luck
Roger

i like light finish two or three coats it is thinner and I feel it flows better

Bill - willierods.com

X2 on Roger
in first coat i always mix my finish in 2 batches
1st ONLY for all wrap edge
2nd for the rest of the wrap
second coat i only make 1 mix and apply in all wrap only

Two things that have worked for me is that I use a spatula, and I spin the rod by hand quickly when doing the edges. Using a relatively fast motor would accomplish the same thing, but the hand spin works for me.

Using the spatula, I load it up, just like a stiff brush and spin the rod quickly 2 times, takes about 1 second. The lines are straight. As far as the gradual rise question, that would depend more on the amount of finish. The type of finish is more a style of application than the finish. Any finish can be applied to look good, but you must adjust your method for viscosity and working time. I'm a threadmaster lite guy and usually get by with 1 coat, except on some butt wrap sections or feather inlays.

Terry

Describe what you mean by getting a gradual rise. I'm not sure what you're talking about.