I would like to test the durability of 1. a painted ice blank, and 2. the tip section of a painted ice blank which has been painted and clear coated. i want to test this BEFORE the ice fishing season (we won't get ice until November in Wisconsin)/. Nothing bends as much as the tip section of a power noodle blank (you can bend the tip all the way around to touch the blank) so I thought this would be a good test blank.

I don't want to put this particular kind of paint and clear coat on some custom ice rods to find out during the ice fishing season the paint cracks or chips. So I would like to devise some tests now. I have already done a modified Common Cents test to see if the action/flexibility of the tip section is affected by the paint and clear coat and it is not.

So now I need to test durability. Any thoughts?

How about put it in a spine finder (bare painted blank), put the tip section under extreme load and let it sit for several days rotating it to cause blank to load in different directions. Inspect with magnifier for cracks or chips. AND/OR the back-of-the-truck- test where you let it roll around in the back of the truck for a week or two exposed to sun, friction, weather etc. Again, the bare painted blank. Thoughts? Suggestions? Experiences?

Thanks,
Buzz

The action won't change but the speed will. But that's not really a consideration on ice rods.

Your idea would be fine but you might want to try to mimic the conditions the rod will be in when actually fished. This is going to require some means of cooling it to lower temperatures. Obviously it's going to be less flexible in very cold conditions.

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

Take the bare blank that has been painted, and use it like a whip to beat against a piece of plywood, as would be the case when the ice rod gets beat against the ice to break ice out of the guides.

If it is a glass blank, the blank will hold up just fine. But, it is up to the finish to see how long the finish holds up to the treatment.

For tip paint, I generally use florescent Rust Oleum paint that holds up reasonably well.


Be Safe

Geezz Roger,
Where do you guys fish that you beat the rods against the ice to get the ice out of the guides?????????? We have a solution to that in Wisconsin, its called a heated shack....lol...... thanks for input.
Buzz

Buzz,
I build for fellows in Canada who fish out in the open from snowmobiles in temps up to and including -30F.

Tough folks who need their gear to be as tough as they are.

I build almost exclusive fiberglass ice rods, because they will take the wear and tear on the cold unforgiving ice without breaking.

Be safe

no need to test, this stuff works great
[www.rustoleum.com]