Hey guys I'm working on my 3rd rod build (5wt 10ft fly rod) and I have some questions about permagloss.

I've read in few places that PG will sort of act as a color preserver. Is that true? I really like the look of the translucent wraps (epoxy over nylon w/o cp) but this build is on a dark graphite colored blank I'd rather not lose all the color since I'd like the main wrap color to match the reel (a dark teal color). How much will thread darken under PG?

Another idea I had is to use a silver tinsel (thin Mylar tinsel like fly-tiers use, not metallic thread) underwrap under just the wraps (not a full underwrap like those building surf rods use) and then just using epoxy over it (I have the duragloss supreme ls) to get both the translucency and maintain the original color of the thread. I've read some of the surf guys use a metallic underwrap to maintain the original color of the thread without the need for CP and hence they also get the translucent effect where you can see the guide foot, etc. I'm worried though about adhesion to the blank though since the tinsel doesn't have the same permeability that metallic thread does.

My back-up plan is just to use the CP but I've heard that some people refuse to use CP due to strength issues?

Thanks guys!

The thread will darken under PG. What you'll want to do is make one test wrap on a similar colored scrap piece of rod blank, and with the same thread put on some PG and let dry. That will tell you all you need to know.

The thread will not get any darker when epoxy is applied on top of the PG, but it's going to darken some with just PG.

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let me add that if you do proper wraps, CP and Permagloss finish, you'll end up with quite a strong result, way beyond anything you can expect a 5wt to withstand.
if you're not after marlins, don't worry about strength issues. It will be just fine.

_______________________________________________
If I'm not going to catch anything, then I'd rather not catch anything on flies.

Prostaff Rodhouse
[www.rodhouse.fr]

CP doesn't weaken a guide wrap to any practical degree. Don't worry about that.

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Thanks for the help guys. That helps allay my fears about CP. Sometimes my perfectionist engineering mind takes over and tries to bomb proof my projects :)
So about permagloss though will nylon thread tend to darken less under it than under epoxy (without cp?) or do no cp finishes end up looking similar colorwise regardless of whether you use epoxy or permagloss?

I think they darken less so under PG, or at least aren't quite as transparent. But they will darken.

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Thanks Tom!