I handle bubbles the same way both on my rod or after mixing and pouring on foil covered plate. I use a small red bar straw and gently blow them bubbles away. On my rod I do this before applying light heat to the epoxy just to get it to flow into the threads.

Tom,
I only have one temperature. The heat is either off or on.

I heat up the gun and just go over the rod in passes of the heat gun. Normally not too close, nor too fast, nor too slow. Just right.

If you are too far away or too fast, there will be no effect on the finish.

If you are too close, or too slow you will boil the finish which is no good either.

So, you just have it close enough and move it at the right speed, so that the finish thins a bit, any bubbles move out and disappear.

Be safe

Tom Harder Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey Tom, how do you like the U-40 Epoxy? I went
> and watched the video. Great video. You're right,
> we tend to complicate the whole process. Did you
> make the video? Anybody else on the U-40? I
> remember when I started I used to rotate my rods
> by hand but that's over 40 years ago. I'm glad
> those days are gone. Along with the cup and a
> phone book. I usually ended up putting something
> heavy on them. We've come a long way since then. I
> remember the rotisseries were always a problem. I
> don't recall why though. I had reliability issues
> with them. Trying to get the inserts to stay in
> the rotisserie "chuck" were always a problem too.
> Well, at least it was for me until I put simple
> rubber bands on the square insert I'd make to work
> with it.

I like the U-40 epoxy but also use Flex Coat, etc. I never pay too much mind to the brand. They all give the same results - you just have to find the one that suits you and how you work.

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

Thanks, Tom. That is what I was trying to communicate. And it is true that a higher temperature does destroy bubbles in a finish.

I have used the Mudhole set and an set of stainless spatulas I got at a hobby store for basically every rod I've made. There are no downsides that I can see, and I've never (knock on wood) had a bubble in the final finish. Other than a clean up after applying finish there is no extra work, and the brushes for me, are more trouble than they are worth. But everybody, gets to their own comfort spot with finishing. I have also found that after applying the finish, the spatula is much better for taking excess finish off the wrap.

[www.mudhole.com]

I will say that I really only use one of the spatulas in the set-

The one at the bottom:

[www.mudhole.com]

I also made a rod after cutting a credit card into a spatula shape and that worked amazingly well.

Brushes-meh-who needs them, but use what works for you. In rod building there is often no "best way" but a number of options that all work equally well. But I will say, I don't own any brushes and a stainless spatula is easy to clean and store. I think with brushes, I'd only use one that and be thrown out after each finish session, because cleaning a brush well just takes too long.

Yep...that's the set I have as well Drew. I too like the one on the bottom. But, I like the one 2nd from the top for laying on more finish on smaller guides. I find with a spatula I have more control over how much goes on. I like using them on edge to move/spread the finish the way I like. I used brushes for decades, and really, I had little problem with them. For some reason I've never had bubbles or the "fish eyes" people talk about. But I clean every blank with Denatured Alcohol and I'm not one with oily hands. Then again, I have no idea what causes a fish eye.

But, I decided to try the spatula and I've not gone back. Good post Drew!