I am just getting back in to rod building after not building a rod for a couple of years and was wondering what color preserver to use.. In the past I used Gudebrod that is not available any more. i just finished a rod and used Cason's Crystal CP and did not like it, the guide tunnels were dark and thread color that was underneath other thread showed through. Can someone give me a suggestion on a CP that will retain the color of the threads without bleading through. Thanks Rick

I have always used flexcoat cp. It goes on white so you can see where you put it and dries fast. I will be trying the American Tackle cp as soon as this runs out, has the same fast drying qualities. I try to stay with water based.

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Super Tight Lines......Don



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/2013 06:01PM by Don Morse.

You are going to get recommendations up the wazoo, everyone has a favorite that works for them, but they have trouble with others. So I'll give you my recommendation, like Don, FC, two coats, wipe off the excess after a minute or two.

I've used almost all of them. I think that U-40 Color Lock and ChromaSeal have the best color retention now that the original Gudebrod 211 is no longer available. I think all of them will work. Cason's Crystal Clear Solvent base tends to darken the threads a bit more than the two mentioned above. I personally don't thin the whitish CP since this dilutes the amount of the solids (the white stuff) and you are more likely to have a failure.

Mike Blomme

"Chromaseal" The best on the Market! fantastic colour retention on the lightest and darkest colours. If you were to do a survey on what cp most rod builders use on their dec wrap or weave, then Chromaseal would be top of the list.

Jersey, Channel Islands. (U.K.)

Trondak U-40 beats them all hands down!!! I have tested them all and have found none better.

100 different answers is what you will get with a question like that.

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Super Tight Lines......Don

The ones mentioned all work pretty well. I've used both the U-40 Chromaseal products with good success. Some points to remember:

Make sure these are mixed (the white versions) well.
Apply liberally, then wick up the excess after a couple of minutes
Wait overnight to apply another coat or your finish.

I'm usually good with one coat, ensuring the wraps are flooded.

Terry

I like the Cason's solvent base on darker thread and American Talkle water base on lighter colors. I always use two coats of CP minimum, followed by at least one coat of Permagloss/Lumiseal. Then epoxy. I do agree the old Gudebrod 811 was the best!

Ed Smith
Flat Rock, NC

I have used several and went back to Flexcoat

Bill - willierods.com

Hi Rick,
Everyone will have their favorite, you'll have to find yours. I was put onto chromaseal about five years ago for colour retention and stopping fisheyes with madeira thread. It does what I want, ie no fisheyes and spool colours so I see no need to experiment with others. They probably all work well for certain applications so you need to find one that works for your methods.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia