Running into an odd problem. In trying to finish some satin black finish blanks the Flex Coat is repelling from the blank on the ends of the finished section. Everything was cleaned with denatured alcohol prior to finishing.

Using Flex Coat UV high build.

These are import blanks and the satin black finish has this really slick feel to it.

Any thoughts appreciated!

Marc,
I suspect that the issue is the denatured alcohol.

You need to clean the blanks with a different solvent.

If you use Acetone or Xylene, it will take care of the issue.

HOWEVER --- test the solvent in some hidden area. This stronger solvent may remove the finish.

If you are using the flex coat for the thread finish and are concerned about the portion of the blank that will get finish that is off of the thread, you could use scotch bright to scuff the finish a touch and also accommodate your finishing needs. This gets more complicated, since you will need to use low tack blue tape on both your thread as well as the blank past the portion where you want the finish to be located. This is to avoid scuffing either the thread, or the balance of the blank that you do not want finish applied, without affecting the overall appearance.

If you are fortunate, you will not have an issue with the stronger solvent.

If you end up with a problem with the stronger solvent, you could do a test case where you simply use Windex to clean the blank. Spray the blank with windex and then do a good wipe down with a paper towel. The issue that you are having is something that is likely a bit oily in nature that is causing your finish to be repelled.

If the test with windex works, then you could do the cleaning with the windex, and keep the denatured alcohol away from the blank.

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I have had the same issue that you have had, if I had the mis adventure to clean the blank with denatured alcohol, so I no longer use the denatured alcohol any more for cleaning the blank.

Or, if I do use denatured alcohol to clean the blank for a troubling stain or mark, I will follow up with a good cleaning with windex which will clean off any residual from the denatured alcohol.

Good luck

Abandoned DNA years ago in favor of iso (AKA wood or rubbing alcohol) as a degreaser followed by a quick wash with Simple Green. Had a bad experience with DNA years ago and no longer use it.

I assume your problem is the epoxy is repelling from the blank but not from the wraps, is that correct? If yes, then the more probable cause is a contaminate, such as silicone, on the blank. What did you use to wipe down the rod with DNA? Was it a cloth that had been washed and then dried with an anti-static towel? Have you or someone else recently used a furniture polish, such as Pledge, in the room where you do finishing work? Is the repelling epoxy consistent for all wraps? Do you consistently wash your hands immediately before beginning any rod work and after any breaks?

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All of the common “Alcohols” should be sufficient for cleaning a blank prior to applying wrap finish, whether Isopropyl, DNA or Methanol is utilized. However, consider that Acetone is generally accepted as the generic epoxy clean-up solvent (Dare I say thinner). While I am certain others may disagree, I have, and continue to, rely upon Acetone for both pre and post structural composite / epoxy fabrication and now presently rod building applications without fail. Although typical rod building epoxy ratios of 1-to-1 differ from the typical structural epoxy ratios of approximately 4-to-1, they both respond extremely well and favorably with Acetone.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Marc

There is some kind of silicone contamination on the blank.

We clean our blanks with orange cleaner that we buy from Home Depot in a gallon concentrated jug. Make a water diluted solution and wipe the blank clean with a paper towel, then with water, and finally with a dry paper towel.

This process should clean off the contamination. It might be a good idea to test the finish adhesion before finishing a wrap.

Give us a call if you want to talk more 512-858-7742

Flex Coat Company
Professional Rod Building Supplies
www.flexcoat.com

[www.homedepot.com]

Ronson lighter fluid .

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)