I've heard that it's possible to use embrodiery thread to wrap rods. Is this a good idea? And, if so, are there any special conditions that accompany it's use?

It depends on the thread. Embroidery thread can be made of a number of materials, some of which work well and some don't. I use trilobal polyester embroidery thread all the time. It is typically not coated in silicone, which will cause problems with your finish, can be purchased locally so you can see the actual color before buying and, with a coupon, is cheap. It also comes in a huge array of colors. On the other hand, cotton or rayon embroidery threads are not a good choice for rod wrapping.

On the silicone coating, with any given brand you'll need to verify with the maker if the thread you're looking at has it or not. If it does, seal the thread with multiple coats of cp or a urethane like permagloss before adding finish.

I use embroidery threat all the time & have done for a number of years .What Chris said about Silicone is correct but I don't use anything like Permagloss or a Urethane .All I use is ChromaSeal to seal the wrap & have had no problems what so ever .There is a method that some use & that is "put some thread into the mix" the theory being that it will balance out the surface tension between the thread & the epoxy .I'm sure that you will receive more replies with some agreeing & some disagreeing .All I can say is that it works for me .

Regards Baz

Bundeena
NSW Australia

Chris, I also use polyester embroidery thread. I found that if you don't use CP before coating with Perma Gloss or Lumiseal, the thread will turn dark just as it does with an epoxy finish.

Mike Blomme

Mike,

The thread will definitely darken when covered with perma gloss but it will not fisheye on thread that has been coated with silicone. If you want to maintain thread color the definitely use CP. they both serve the purpose of sealing the thread so you will not have bad reactions with the epoxy finish. This only matters if the thread is coated. I use two different brands of poly embroidery thread and neither is coated so I finish just like "rod wrapping thread" with great results.

Chris

Can you share with us the two brands that you use? If you can't can you email me?

Thanks

Edited,

Sorry, I didn't realize you were asking about uncoated thread.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/2015 04:36PM by John E Powell.

Chris, I would also like the names of the ones that you use. Madeira is coated.
Thanks.

I'm happy to share. Tom, if you'd rather I email the brand names, delete this and I'll do so. I use both Coats and Clark Trilobal Polyester embroidery thread and a couple different threads from a company called Superior Threads. The Coats and Clark is nice because I can find it at my local fabric store in a hundred colors or more. I've never verified with them that it is not coated but I have wrapped and finished 8 or 10 different colors in two different brands of epoxy and never had a problem with fisheyes or other issues. The colors do darken if you don't use color preserver but not as much as Nylon, in my experience. Superior Threads is harder to find locally but you can order directly from them. They have a number of lines of trilobal polyester thread including some really cool variegated thread and twist thread in a number of color combos, earth tones and very bright neons. I contacted them and they did confirm that none of their trilobal polyester is coated. I've finished only a couple of rods with their stuff but they have turned out great with no CP or other sealant under the finish. It is a little more expensive because I can't use the fabric store coupon but worth it if you're looking for certain colors and comparable in price to the large spools of rod wrapping nylon.

Chris,

None of the Superior polyester threads are lubrication free (as per the mfg). Apparently, you just aren't experiencing any finish problems with them.

As per the mfg, the lubrication is applied so it can pass through their thread management machinery and be spooled at high production speeds. This is standard industry practice and he's not aware of "any manufacturer who might spool without lubrication at slow speeds. He said the cost to mfg unlubricated thread at much slower production speeds would double to triple the end user's price.

I suspect it's the same with the Coats and Clark Trilobal, but I have not confirmed it with them.

The Coats and Clark Trilobal polyester works well as with Mettler polyester

The Coats and Clark Trilobal polyester works well as with Mettler polyester