How long should I let my CP dry before I put the finish on.

Glenn McMurrian

24-48 hours or less, depending on the circumstances and brand of cp. You need to do some testing on a garbage blank to be 100% sure of your process. Remember, everyone does thing a bit difference. So, even though one recommendation might say one thing, someone else says something else, you need to listen to the advice, but then test for yourself, to be sure that you have the process nailed, as you do things, before you do the work on your final rod that is being finished.

Take care

You also have to take into consideration the thickness of the thread for saturation, also the amount that is sitting in the tunnel or voids between the thread, guide, and blank

Anything less than 24 hours is risky.

It needs to be dry, so however long that takes. Assuming you're doing this indoors in normal room temperature conditions, generally at least overnight (12 hours) although waiting a bit longer isn't a bad thing.

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

I always start with the manufacturers recommendation and as I gain experience I may depart somewhat. My bottle of Flex Coat of "COLOR PRESERVER & THREAD SEALER" for drying time directions are;

"DRYING TIME- approx 1 hr. Drying time may be longer if low temperature and high humidity conditions exist. Drying time can be accelerated with application of heat-blow dryer".

For me 3-4 hours is usually enough but as Tom says waiting a bit longer isn't a bad thing.

If you are doing simple wraps and no under-wraps or weaves then depending on your humidity as John stated on the bottle of Flex Coat. If you are doing weaves and other excessive thread work then 12-24 hours is not a bad idea. I have done 1-2 hours plenty of times with Flex Coat and have had no problems.

What would be the result of putting finish on to early?

CP is mostly water and causes nylon thread to relax a goodly bit..drying lets the thread wrap go back to it,s original tension..also i don,t think you get the best finish adherance on damp wraps..

In addition, trapped moisture under the epoxy coating can adversely effect not only the adherence, but also the appearance as the epoxy may turn cloudy.