Just received some. Feel like there is nothing over the carbon fiber. Anyone used them? What did you coat them with? Is it mandatory to coat them?

Feels like it would take a few coats of epoxy or dozens of coats of Permagloss. Wasn't expecting that.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

It is a personal choice, as to whether you coat or not. Some like the uncoated feel, others like them smooth and glossy.

Which grips did you buy? The NFC carbonTex grips (CTG) are very similar to the CFX grips and the Batson carbon fiber grips. For all of these I apply a coat or two of Permagloss with a saturated foam brush while turning. Very easy to do and they come out great. Just put the grip on some sort of mandrel and turn on a lathe. Takes less than a minute to apply the finish. If you do t have a lathe a cordless drill works very well. Can also turn using a drying motor from 20 to 45 rpms. You can apply a second coat if you wish within 30 to 60 min. The NFC EFX soft touch grips really don’t need a coating, I like their matte finish.
Norm

Al Jackson and I had a long discussion as to what NFC should do about coating, or not, their CF grips. He agreed with me that coating was better, but that many consumers would assume that the coated-finished grips would be slippery (they're not). Rather than have to engage in a marketing and education campaign to deter that assumption, he said they were going to just supply them unfinished. Rod builders could finish them, or not, so the option remains.

Durability isn't an issue, finished or not.

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Norman Miller Wrote:
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> For all of these I
> apply a coat or two of Permagloss with a saturated
> foam brush while turning.

Is Permagloss preferred over say thread epoxy as a finish over the grip?

It’s a personal choice. I prefer Permagloss, because it is very light, hard, durable, will never yellow, and looks good. Epoxy gives a thicker heavier finish, which is not as durable and will yellow with time giving it an older more worn look. Also applying an epoxy finish is a little more difficult and requires rotation for a much longer time.
Norm
PS - You can Permagloss a grip in less time then it takes to mix the epoxy.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/2020 12:29PM by Norman Miller.

Here's how- [www.youtube.com]

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Thanks guys.

Norm, they are part# CTRG9-3.75 and they call them EFX/CarbonTex Grips.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

They are the ones I would Permagloss, as shown in Tom’s video. CTRG stands for CabonTex Rear Grip. They are made like the carbon fiber polyurethane foam core grips originally invented by Tom Kirkman, and are now being sold commercially by NFC, CFX, and Batson, and possibly by others I’m unaware of. You got a great price on them, a real deal. You will really like them, they are bullet proof and will look like new for many years.
Norm

"You got a great price on them, a real deal. You will really like them, they are bullet proof and will look like new for many years."

That is evil Norman. Just spent another $160:)

Grips are still on sale although the blanks aren't (Thank God...I think).

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Sorry about that.
Norm

I just built with the CFX CF grip from mudhole. First time using CF. Just to confirm they don't need to be finished? I hadn't even thought about it before.

You can finish them or leave as is. It is really your choice. I just like the look Permagloss gives, but that’s just me.
Norm

Thanks Norm. I'll have to find a picture of a finished one. I like the matte look but haven't seen a finished one.

Look at the video Tom posted above to see the before and after look.
Norm

NFC uses a prepegged sleeve material, the epoxy is the same used in building rod blanks, it's baked onto the foam core in the same oven used to bake their blanks. That's why there seems to be so little of it on the sleeve.

Gary Goldsmith Wrote:
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> Thanks Norm. I'll have to find a picture of a
> finished one. I like the matte look but haven't
> seen a finished one.


Hit this link and you can see a finished one: [www.rodmakermagazine.com]

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Thanks Tom. That's just permagloss applied like your video?

Yes.

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I don't know anything about the CFX grips.

IMHO the NFC grips would certainly need a coat or three of epoxy first if you want them smooth. Guys, should I assume it would be best to use a laminating epoxy like West?

Wish I knew what reel seat and butt cap Edge was using. Not used to building with grips that have tenons and unfinished ends. Never used winding checks before. Been away from building for a bit and I'm feeling like an idiot:)

Russ in Hollywood, FL.