Building a Bamboo fly rod (8 ft 3 pc 5 wt). Customer wants a glossy finish on the whole rod. Will Threadmaster 1 be flexible enough to use ? I would use only one coat I think. I have never used this finish. I don't want to use PG or Varnish. Both dry too fast.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

It would be flexible enough, but epoxy isn't really the best product for this job. Try a moisture curing urethane. Iighter, thinner, harder, non-yellowing, but still flexible enough.

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Ok. Thanks Tom.

As Tom stated, that is not the product to coat a rod! For Bamboo, varnish is the preferred finish. PG and varnish are vastly different in cure rates, with many varnishes taking a few hours to dry.

Many of the well known Bamboo builders use a Marine Grade Spar Varnish. McCloskey Man O War, Helmsman Spar and Epifanes are popular brands. Also many of the folks building Fiberglass fly rods use Spar Varnish too. The Spar Varnish is available at some hardware stores or marine supply stores. There is a bit of a learning curve, like any other thread finish and the Spar Varnish's do have a longer cure time, some take several days to fully harden (depends on the brand and enviromental conditions in your workshop). Several coats are required, one bamboo builder that I know usually goes with 5 to 6 coats and his work is stunning. One of those guys that is at the top of the game in the bamboo world.

Do yourself a favor and use the "right tool for the right job".

There are several forums that cater to bamboo, might want to look into them. Several pro's post on them as well as some hobby builders that turn out some mighty fine work.

Marine spar varnish. If possible dip the rod- immerse entirely in spar & slowly draw it out . As above depending on the make the spar will take hours to days to fully cure out.
I've had good success over the years using Helmsman which is available at most local hardware/paint stores as well as Lowes & Home Depot. Permanently cap one end of a PVC tube - 1/4 inch diameter will do fine; pour in the spar - if you buy it in a pint screw top can it pours better (but still use a funnel); thumb tack or push pin secure a length of thread to the ferrule end of the cane & dip the cane section - withdraw SLOWLY allowing any excess to run off back into the tube. Hang in a dust free area to dry. Once the first coat is dry use ultra-fine grit (600 or finer) wet/dry emery cloth to LIGHTLY sand the blank. Re-dip & rehang for at least 48 hours. At least this is what works for me.

I wish I could dip it. I didn't intend to put anything on it . Now the client wants a glossy shine on it. Handle ,seat, and ferrules are fitted,lapped and epoxied on, ready for guides. Will go with the Marine Spar and put it on by hand. Thanks guys.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

After thinking about this a bit a could probably still dip the rod. It is a 3 piece with extra tip. I could seal up the good Nickel Silver ferrules with electrical tape on the first 2 sections. No Guides or tops on the tip sections, no thread any where. What do you think Ken ?

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

This might come as a surprise, but some of the most highly esteemed bamboo fly rods are/were dipped, after they have been fitted out and wrapped. No kidding.

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Like Tom posted. Nearly all the "collectable" bamboo rods were dipped after all the guides were wrapped. For your application you could certainly tape off the ferrules & dip the rod. Dipping is the best way to ensure a complete coverage. Since this is a 3 piece rod the tube length probably needs to be no longer than 36" . Alternately you could also rub on the spar - but understand that spar dries very slowly so the rod will have to be put in a continuous run dryer for a MINIMUM of 16 hours

I am not surprised. Every old rod I ever saw had been dipped after it was completed. Varnish still on the guides.

Thanks Ken. I have cleaned and set up a 36" piece of 1/2 inch PVC. I will give it a shot.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

you could also just use a turkey baster and coat the rod as it's vertical. not that i've done it but i've followed a ton of threads on bamboo forums over the years. some even wipe on with their fingers and then let hang. i don't understand your comment that varnish dries too fast. my understanding is it dries slow, taking days or weeks to fully cure. not sure about the urethanes.

there are also various finishes available with spar varnish. glossy, satin, semi...

good luck and let us know how it turns out.

eric
fresno, ca.

It is not that difficult to apply the varnish with a cheese cloth pad and wiping the blank with it. Do multiple thin coats that won't take so long to dry.

Eric, everything I've got is ( I think) moisture curing, dries extremely fast. I got a bottle of Threadmaster Rod Varnish and it dried extremely fast on a test run so it must be moisture curing also. I am on my way to get some good urethane and put it on with my fingers just like I used to do gun stocks with Tru Oil.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY