I'm building a trolling rod, and liked the look of Batson's texalium tubing for a handle, but it's not as smooth as I expected, nor as glossy (not sure I chose the best adjectives, but I was expecting the feel of graphite tubing, and the shine of polished aluminum, as the photos seem to illustrate). I don't dislike the look and feel enough to coat with epoxy, just wondering if a coat or two of Perma Gloss might make it pop a bit. Any advice from your experiences?

try a test spot on one end and see if that is good for you

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

I have never tused a Texalium handle. With that said, if it is anything like a carbon fiber tube handle, you should be able to wet sand it with 800 to 1500 grit wet/dry paper to smooth it out a little and then give it a couple of coats of Permagloss while turning. Permagloss does not give a deep glossy finish like epoxy, but it certainly does yeild a nice shiny finish, which is hard, and durable.
Norm

Paul,
In a word, leave it alone.

Really nothing to be gained by applying a coating over the standard finish and a lot of ways to make the grip worse.

For a grip, you really don't want a glossy (slick) handle.

But, as always, it is your choice.

I have built a lot of rods with the thallium handles and they came out very good and the clients were always pleased with the results.

There's not much finish there, and the colored stuff that used to be available edge chipped, partly I think from the increased finish thickness and partly how people were cutting it. Can't imagine the finish isn't the same used on rod blanks, deglase with an extra fine scotch Brite pad to ensure you don't hurt the aluminum and your probably fine.

Thanks, guys. I hit it with a scotch Brite pad and it shined right up!