I’m looking for options to keep thread colors from becoming so dark after applying finish. This has happened on two or three different light colors I’ve used recently. The most recent one was a yellow and black tiger thread which looked really nice until it turned almost completely black after the finish was applied on a black blank. Any help is appreciated.

Use door preserver or switch to NCP type thread.

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Flex Coat Color preserver will solve this or NCP/NoCP thread.

[flexcoat.com]

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



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2018 10:31AM by John Cates.

You may have to paint that area where the guides will be white of use a foil tape to stop the dark color of the blank from showing. You will still have to use color preserver.

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

I have experimented with auto store silver pinstriping material (1/4" wide) under Fuji Ultra POLY to avoid the black blank showing through the thread (which will become translucent with finish). The results can be pretty dramatic with the silver making the translucent top color almost glow with the reflective background as a base. It does not work with every color, but I know blues and reds are very cool in the sun. It doesn't seem to work as well with a silver thread underwrap, I assume because the thread is not as mirror-like as the film. I don't use any color preserver for this. Some savvy thread guy needs to take this to the next level and report results!

Even NCP thread can benefit from using CP.

Keep in mind also that the mottling and blank show-through on lighter threads with darker blanks is affected by how tight the wrap is (not tension, but wrap to wrap tightness, or tight packing). It also is a factor.

Thanks for the tips, guys. I do have to ask what benefit the NCP thread has from using CP?

The NCP threads are treated with a substance that does not allow the epoxy to penetrate the thread fibers so the color is maintained. CP coats the threads and when dry does not let the epoxy penetrate, hence maintaining the original color. In my opinion, NCP thread has a lack of luster and gives a flat looking color. The color using CP has more luster to it and looks richer and deeper.
Norm

I agree with Norm, CP with regular thread looks better. While it has been argued otherwise, it is my opinion that both NCP thread and CP, by preventing penetration of the epoxy, result in a less strong result. By using CP or NCP thread the wraps are more easily removed if one wants to remove them. I almost exclusively use regular thread with CP, locking loops on single foot guides, and have had no structural problems since I started using locking loops. Very few before that. So the strength argument, for the duty cycle my rods are exposed to, is a moot point. For heavy duty, it might be a different story.

I agree with Norm.
But, in addition, I think that it is even better to use non NCP thread and no CP. Rather, just pick lighter colors that will end up the color you wish after the finish has penetrated and darkened the uncoated thread.

I agree that the NCP thread has a rather flat look to it.

Good luck

CP over light, bright shades of NCP thread can help maintain original color on dark blanks somewhat better than straight epoxy. There's no substitute for white under the wrap if you want it to look like it looks on the spool. Around here it's said that the thread holds the guides on and the finish protects the thread, making the added strength issue a non-starter. I do know however when I have to strip wraps to do a repair I find myself hoping the wrap was done using CP!

CP over light, bright shades of NCP thread can help maintain original color on dark blanks somewhat better than straight epoxy. There's no substitute for white under the wrap if you want it to look like it looks on the spool. Around here it's said that the thread holds the guides on and the finish protects the thread, making the added strength issue a non-starter. I do know however when I have to strip wraps to do a repair I find myself hoping the wrap was done using CP!