I have been doing some research on finishes. Have not been happy with anything I have tried since getting back into building. Have gotten acceptable results but nothing really good. Looks like the CTS is worth a try. Who currently is the best source for it in the US.

Thanks.

I find it hard to believe you are unable to find an "acceptable" finish. HAving tried most of the finishes on the market, each one ends up with the same result. Theyhave different properties which I have to make adjustments for. If you're looking for a magic finish that is going to apply itslef for you, you're always going to be disappointed.

I Would guess that Herb Ladenheim (if I spelled his name wrong I apologize) has access to CTS finish, as he imports CTS blanks

I do not know of a US source, however you can obtain it directly from CTS. They are listed on the right.

Billy I have had ok results but always looking for something better. Biggest issue I have had is leveling. Threadmaster light ends up nice with multiple coats. But I end up with a high build type finish. I am building mostly ul light to med freshwater spinning rods. Looking for a light well leveling finish. The CTS finish from what I have read is supposed to be thin and level very well. Both the properties I want in a finish which is why I want to try it.

Michael, try making your first coat with CP instead of epoxy..make the next coat an epoxy of your choice..put it on thick or thin, what ever you prefer..it will level with no problems..watch Rod Maker magazine on U-Tube demo of epoxy application, zip, zip, just one coat..lol.

Crystal coat is very clear, and colorless, and it’s bubbles release and leveling properties are excellent. However, It’s major draw back is its cure time, which is very long. Unlike other epoxies which are mixed by volume at a 1:1 ratio of resin to hardener, Crystal Coat is mixed by volume at a 3:2 ratio of resin to hardener.. Just make sure you understand these properties before ordering.
Norm

I have quite a bit of experience with Crystal Coat. As Norman states above most of the desirable properties, of clarity, leveling and bubble dispersion are very positive, in fact some are in my opinion the very best. But........and it is a BIG BUT, the cure time is very very long! This is especially true under normal ambient temperatures. It can be up to 36 hours.

They only way I have found to work with it, is to use a heated drying (curing) cabinet. Even then heated to 100 degrees it takes at least 12 hours.
The results can be worth it, if you are building for customers and they are willing to pay for the extra time involved.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2020 07:52PM by Phil Erickson.

Just building for myself. Probable why I am so picky and searching for perfection. I do use CP as I don't care for the look of epoxy soaked threads. I did build for many years before taking a near 20 year break. I am sure my technique needs some work. I also cannot get the finishes I used to use that worked well for me.

If you use to use Clemens Crystal Coat, It is still available. I believe that Klass Koat is the same stuff as the old Clemen’s Crystal Coat.
[www.klasskote.com]
Norm

if your using CP like you use to twenty years ago and the epoxys should be twenty years better, it may be technique..you don,t need to thin the CP like some people did twenty years ago..don,t skimp on packing and burnishing..were you as picky twenty years ago..lol..let us know what you come up with Michael..

I think my technique is just not meshing with the new products. My steps are all the same leading up to the epoxy. I did use Clemens crystal Coat. I have heard it is klass kote. However it my research the properties don't sound the same. Klass Kote contains a solvent. Have read reports of it melting plastic and fumes, which would make sense if it contains a solvent. Never encountered fumes or melting plastic with the Clemens product so if did contain a solvent component it was fairly mild.

Have heard that klass kote is very similar to hobby poxy. Hobby Poxy according to some sources is what Clemens was. Hobby Poxy is no longer made and klass kote is more or less the accepted replacement for it. Clemens being hobby poxy makes sense to me. In my research of klass kote I found a very important detail. They have been in business since 2003. Clemens went out in 2002?

But this is all based on internet accounts. Not really wanting to spend close to 50 bucks to give it a try myself. So looking to stick with known rodbuilding specific products to try my luck with.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2020 11:02PM by Michael Sutheimer.

Call them and see if they will send a sample. They may also have more information.
Norm

The old Clemens Crystal Coat did contain a solvent - that's why it was packaged in glass bottles.

..........

" Klass Kote contains a solvent. Have read reports of it melting plastic and fumes, which would make sense if it contains a solvent. Never encountered fumes or melting plastic with the Clemens product so if did contain a solvent component it was fairly mild. "

THiss is exactly what Crystal Coat would do. It had a terrible smell, not as bad as Permaglos, but not too far off. And it ate through plastic as I found out when I mixed in a ROy Rogers ketchup cup, left teh excess finish in there - came bac the next day to find the epoxy ate the cup and went all over my bench.

Anyone having read the instructions for Crystal Coat would not have mixed it in a plastic vessel. "not recommended to be to be used with plastic measuring or mixing containers or synthetic brushes" Ugh.

Michael,
I have a couple of small kits.
Contact me by email.
Herb
CTS

I must say I don't recall the instructions. But I never had any issues with crystal coat. I would use plastic syringes mix in a plastic cup and pour onto a foil try to let the bubbles escape.I am not doubting that Crystal coat contained a solvent but it certainly did not seem to be very strong one.

Instead of rehashing it as we all will remember things differently, the product is no more. Seems that a direct replacement is not available. I have a line on the CTS which I will give a try. Thanks for all the input.