Just wanted to share some experiment results: A friend requested some "ghost" colored wraps on a gloss black blank. He's looking for a wrap that is barely visible but not invisible. I tried black thread first, both nylon and NCP. The black was, in my opinion, invisible. Next I tried some shades of gray. My favorite was ProWrap 831 nylon without CP. I think it's just what we're looking for. If you look closely the wraps are just visible. Without light directly on them they are hard to see but, when light is at an angle, they gently reflect it. Just wanted to share.

Try metallic gun metal. I just compleated an 11' Lamiglas Ben Doer surf rod for myself with that color wraps. The blank color is rootbeer and I didn't want any flash but, I also didn't want black wraps. You have to give it a good eye in the sunlight to see the wraps. It looks industrial, no nonsense, like a wepon. I used 3M safety walk tape in place of cork tape on the handle for magnum grip. Its a surfcasters pluggin rod with a ABU 6500 and 16,( Fuji BFAT) guides plus a tip/top. No underwraps, one coat of epoxy.You'ed never know it has 7 extra guides on it. I'm happy with it!

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

Ok,I'm curious....Never heard of Ben Doerr affiliated with lamiglas...please tell me more about this blank.

My mistake, Ron Arra XRA 1321. I had my heart set on a StCroix Ben Doer surf series but they are N/A.

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

John I was curious if you've used any silk threads for almost clear wraps? I used silk 50 weight white and achieved a similar result you describe but maybe more transparent than your end product. I would think any of the lighter silk colors in the same color range as the blank color (light gray for a black blank, etc) would give a good result.

Terry

Pick up several colors and put them on a scrap blank

Bill - willierods.com

Terry,
I've never played silk. Just haven't taken the time. I guess I didn't try silk because, from what I've read here, I've gathered that the silk would be transparent. I didn't want to be able to see the guide feet thru the thread. Is this true? Would I see the guide feet thru silk wraps?

Thanks,
Jon