I have not wrapped in many years and when I did I used NCP thread 99% and never applied the light build straight to the thread, sorry I go back to the D Clemons days and used CP on the finished wrap then the high build or light . the last I remember some of you guys where laying on your underwrap then CP , then light build , then wrap guides then do final HB or LB . 2nd question are wrapping kinda getting away from NCP and just using nylon now I see that mudd hole mostly carries nylon why ? . thanks jerry

There is a color difference between regular nylon and NCP. The former is much "deeper" with a translucent sheen while NCP has more of a painted on look. It's really just a matter of what you think looks better.

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Jerry,
I personally very much prefer the different look that one gets by using straight nylon thread with no NCP thread, and no CP applied to the thread.
I generally only use one coat of high build finish on my rods and they look very very good.

But, everyone has his/her own preference.

Be safe

I have never used CP on NCP thread, and the results look very nice to me. I have also used Madeira as guide wraps with CP on light FW rods with good results, cosmetically. Can't speak to durability because I'm still waiting to go fishing with them. Some say you need the epoxy to make contact with the blank. Tom has posted that it is not necessary, and I take his opinions with a bit more authority. I have only done one rod with regular nylon wrap with no CP. That one came out beautifully. It was a royal blue that turnedinto of a deeper blue (which is what I wanted), and it has a nice VERY subtle sparkle to it where the silver metallic underwrap shows through. My current rod will get black nylon with no CP over red underwraps. I will post pics when complete.

I don't mind the look of NCP thread at all. Nylon does have a sheen to it, but to my eyes, the super glossiness of the epoxy makes the difference less noticeable. This is just one man's opinion, and I know others don't like the NCP look. If I ever get good enough to build rods for money, I'll take others' opinions into account. But for now, I just build for yours truly :)

Incidentally, the vast majority of the commercial rod builders use nylon thread, no CP and a coat or two of finish.

Be safe

They also seem to use black thread as their go-to from what I can remember. It's been a while since I've looked.

Randy,
Actually on about 80% of the rods that I build; I use black thread as well.

The vast majority of my customers want a very fine tool to catch fish. They do NOT want bling and flashy colors.

Be safe

Yeah, black definitely looks classy, but I consistently find myself going for colors. I like the looks. My next rod is gonna have a black theme though. Its gonna be black with gold to match the aluminum seat and gimble with a touch of green accent. Looking forward, but gotta wait for my fore grip to come in.