Nearly everyone I know has had issues with applying epoxy finish at some point, myself included. A thought occurred to me while getting ready to prepare some finish; why do we always seem to use epoxy? When I built my first rods back in the early 70's, we were using Gudebrod solvent based rod varnish. and I still have some of those early attempts. It took several coats to get what you wanted and they have been used hard, especially the ice fishing rods. Yet they still look good with no more finish darkening than I see with epoxies.

David,

If you're tired of the problems with epoxy, have you tried Perma Gloss?

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

The lacquer and varnish types simply don't last as long as epoxy, nor as they as quick to apply if you want good depth and protection in a single coat of finish. These are the main reasons epoxy took off in rod building circles the way it did. Besides, epoxy is really very, very, very easy to use and get good results with. Most guys are simply trying to do too much instead of just putting it on and letting it do what it knows how to do.

.......

David,
Although folks have problems from time to time - thousands of rods are built every day using epoxy with excellent results.

It is a good solid product with an excellent track record.

Generally speaking problems with epoxy are with the mixing, the ratio, the environment or preparation.

Once these issues are cleared up - there are almost no issues with the product or the process.

Good luck

epoxy problems = user error.

Thanks for all the comments. I don't often have problems with epoxy finish; it was more of a rhetorical question.

Dave Sytsma

On a related note. We all talk about the pros and cons of different finishes I.e. Epoxy,varnish, permanent gloss , lumiseal. However, at the Expo there was the U.V finishing system that was being shown and was even offered up as a door prize. Why no talk about this the the greater scheme of finishing. From what I say in the demo it was more fool proof than epoxy.
Thought, comments?

I think the cost of the unit required to use it puts a lot of people off, but it is certainly a viable alternative to other wrap finishes and generally works quite well and certainly very quickly.

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

Tom hit it right. The cost is still prohibitive. Lights can be had for under $30 / fabricating a stand (to block errant UV from skin & eyes) pushes the cost to $80.00. Then the cost of the adhesive / encapsulant. One product from one provider is $350.00 / half pint. I have not given up the search for a "goo" that will work and remain within a reasonable price point = now someone tell me the answer to this "How much is it worth it to you to cover a guide wrap with a one-part (no mix) product that will cure within 10 seconds/wrap?" Of course the product must be (and remain water clear - which NO epoxy will do) and remain flexible over time (no additional hardening in sunlight) I look forward to responses = which will help me navigate through a half dozen or so product providers. For me this has already been a 5 year "quest".

Hello Ken.

So you are saying $110 set-up and $350 / 1/2 Pint, are there any maintenance costs?
How much coverage do you get with 1/2 Pint?
$10-$20 more a rod would not be to bad.

Keep us informed, and Thanks for the time & work you put into this.


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Is the UV finishing product really worth that much? I know Im new to rod building but why would someone need a UV finishing system? If it is all about speed, I can see a production company wanting one, not so sure about a custom rod builder. Maybe some pros could chime in on why they would want one.

Hello Ken 2.

Ken Preston Said:

"How much is it worth it to you to cover a guide wrap with a one-part (no mix) product that will cure within 10 seconds/wrap?" Of course the product must be (and remain water clear - which NO epoxy will do) and remain flexible over time (no additional hardening in sunlight)"

"One-part, cure within 10 seconds/wrap, remain water clear, and remain flexible over time". that is why.


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

KB2...for the custom builder that produces 1-10 rods per year it could be viewed as extravagant. But many custom builders will produce 10 rods a month...or a week...or even more than that. For these guys it could be viewed as a way increase efficiency. And the price is simply a cost of doing business.

Gotcha..makes sense when you put it that way. Since Im a hobbyist at this point, wouldnt make sense for me. Im working on my 5th at this point.

Robert
1/2 pint of "goo" would do between 200 - 300 guide wraps - if it were the depth of varnish/lumiseal etc. figure around half as many to the depth of what we are most accustomed to seeing for an epoxy finish,.
What I remain interested in is an LED light source. Maintenance = LED 'bulbs' last about 10,000 hours and draw way less 'juice' and there is no residual heat. The "goo" I remain fixated on is more an "sealant" or "encapsulant as is used on spacecraft to seal electronics. Water clear, shock resistant an operating temperature between -50 and +350 degrees Fahrenheit with no "secondary cure" required (neither heat nor light). For anyone who has seen the machine that the Cork-4-U folks have in operation you would have noticed heat and a bright (hot) light as well as some other electronics (transformer). I want the Keep It Simple method.