Put first coat of ProKote epoxy on casting rod. Using dryer at 9rpm. Applied while turning on dryer. Mix ratio was good. Applied with disposable brush. Never could get it to become uniformly flat, looked lumpy going on, hoped it would even out, but never did. Dried for over 12hrs. Did I put it on too thick? Mix was room temperature when mixed. Is there a secret to get a nice even flat coat?

Yes, do less. Don't try to manipulate the epoxy. I'll bet the epoxy in your mixing cup leveled nicely.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

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Yes..........it did.

Dondi,
As Mr. Kirkman suggested - Do LESS

I apply the finish on a fast turning rod. Generally the rod will be spinning at a speed of 20-200 rpm.
When I apply finish with a disposable bruch, I just bring the brush close to the rod and let the rod pull the finish off of the brush. I seldom touch the finish after that.

I quickly apply finish to all parts of the rod needing finish from butt wraps to guides to tip top if needed.

Then, I go back over each finish location with a heat gun with the rod turning more slowly at about 20 rpm, to insure that the finish has spread nicely and is filling all required areas. By using a bit of gentle heat, the finish becomes about as thin as water and nicely spreads and fills where needed.

After going from the tip to the butt wrap, I will go back over all of the wraps one more time, dabbing a bit more finish on any areas needing finish - if any - and when satisfied with a close well lighted examination with a magnifying head band - will turn off the lights and leave it for an over night drying cycle.

Since I use standard flex coat, the finish covers well in one coat and normally, I never have to put on any added finish and the rod is complete after the single application of finish and an overnight drying cycle.

The key is to work quickly, but do NOT work the epoxy. Epoxy of the correct thickness will level perfectly and will give you a perfect job with little to no brushing.

Good luck

Dondi

ProKote calls it medium viscosity - it's more like lite, very lite. It rarely covers in a single application and sometimes it requires three. The trick is to apply very thin coats until the depth of finish desired is achieved.

The cure time is very long even at 70 degrees. The extended cure time is the price we pay for an extended open time.

And by the way, even though you need to apply very thin coats, turning by hand for about 30 minutes beyond the open time does wonders.

Thanks guys for the advice. Know that it will be heeded. May I ask, what is your preferred epoxy (name brand) to use?

I use the medium viscosity ProKote. I like its longer open time, and bubbles are a non issue.

Everyone has their favorite, and all brands ultimately do the same thing. Some a bit quicker and some,, like ProKote,, a little slower.

Buy a small quantity of several brands and viscosity, make test wraps on scrape blanks or dowels, and you'll find one that fits you. .

As I work slow, I only mix a 2 CC an do a little at a time , lots of time I will throw have of it away , an start over

William Sidney
AK

Over the years, I have tried most brands of finish epoxy and they are all pretty good and it depends on what characteristics you like. For me I like Threadmaster regular. I like it’s shorter pot life and cure time, which is just fine with me. In my opinion, it gives a harder and more durable finish, seems to yellow less, and is more forgiving to small measuring errors than the others I have used.
Norm

i like threadmaster regular epoxy vs the prokote .
for your ' lumpy' issue in the future….once aplied, evenly heat it with a heat gun, any excess will try and drip off the bottom of blank while turning. simply run your brush laterally along the drips to remove the excess, then hit it again lightly with the heat gun.

Bill,
Just out of curiosity, why do you apply finish slowly?

Be safe

Hello Roger.

I think Bill believes HE works Slow in general.


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

No problem. What ever works for the individual.

Everyone is different.

Be safe

I am just slow at it Robert , most of the time I do 1 fly rods a section at a time , this is not a side job it is a past time , to me

William Sidney
AK

Hello Bill.

No one ever called me Speedy either, I hit 60 in January and have slowed down quite a bit.

I used to sell to some boat captains in the area, and some friends, I mostly just piddle anymore.

I'm still learning new stuff all the time, everything changes.


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.