Had a request from a client to use custom color guides (metallic blue in this case) on a spinning rod I am doing for him.So I played around with some recovered guides and paint.Best result so far is suspending an old torzite in a mild solution of acid rinsing with fresh water and coating with single pack spray paint.I then cleaned the insert with thinners (not easy) and it looks ok. However I do believe there will be no levity doing it like this.
Any idea`s guy`s?

Powder painting might be your best bet, but consumer applied coatings will be hard pressed to provide the same level of durability and longevity as the factory applied coatings and depositions.

..............

Have never seen metallic blue guide frames, but Alps, American Tackle, and PAC Bay all offer guides with blue PVD coated zirconia rings. This may be your best option. Painting guides just does not work, even baked on powder paint does not hold up very well. The blue pvd coated rings look good and are very durable. Hope this helps.
Norm

I would tell him it is better to get what is made buy suppliers and not the mudhole freshwater colored guides no durabillity This way you can replace if some thing happens

Bill - willierods.com

My first thought on this would be to talk to a local gun smith or call one of the big suppliers that sell gun smith products and talk to one of their Customer service people.

Mike Bradfrod
R.M.B. Fishing Rods
Nampa, Idaho

Mud Hole at one time offered (if I remember correctly) green , red, and purple framed guides not sure about blue.

If they don't make blue. Could ask client if he would except purple guides with blue or metallic blue thread color combination would look really good.

Steve
Yes they have several guide colors -- But --- I have read posts that they are not very durable and only for freswater rods The poster spock of Corzite guides ?? ya want to do something to a guide of that price and quality I think not When the paint comes off and then he comes back ?????

Bill - willierods.com

We have Batson Lt Tich or Black frame 1 ft guides with the dark Blue Zirconia rings.
The Blue really stands out against the Black of the frames, and the Lt Tich looks like higher end jewelry.
Here is a link;
[www.schneidersrods.com]
Feel welcome to give us a holler,

Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

"OLD" TORZITE®??????

Good advice from Bill B. Going with anything except factory blues will cause a lot of work/time/uncertainty/possible unreliability, big can of worms.

There used to be a guy that offered colored guides, not sure if he's still in business. I believe I saw him posting on the nerbs FB page...

Jeremy