I about to wrap a rod with invisible wraps. I wish to have red or brown translucent trim band. What kind of thread color, silk or nylon, do you use? Is silk or nylon thread prefered for the trim band?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2021 01:16PM by Terje Bendiksby.

Silk will turn more transluscent than nylon, one reason is the natural fiber threads absorb more finish than the synthetics. That would make me believe a synthetics thread trim band would stand out more than a silk one.
NCP thread would be the most pronounced non metallic trim.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2021 01:35PM by Spencer Phipps.

First let us know whether your main, clear wraps will be nylon or silk.

I prefer silk but that is just a personal preference. As a general rule the diameter of the trim material ought not be larger than the diameter of the main wrap thread. For example, if your main wraps are 000 or 0000 silk, size A nylon trim bands might look odd.

If this is your first clear wrap project I encourage you to complete several test wraps first to verify the epoxy or spar is thinned enough to produce truly clear wraps without "shimmers" and the color shift of the trim band thread is what you want.

If your looking to get totally invisible wraps, you'll need to use Natural color Silk. YLI has a Natural color silk. The ones labeled White will not work, especially on a darker blank. Nylon thread will not go invisible.

As for your trim bands, if you are using a contrasting color, you'll need to do some test wraps, and keep the trim band thread the same or smaller diameter than the main wrap like Don stated.

Best spot to do your test wraps is on the blank section where the grip will go. Easy to remove and install the grip over the spot.

Video on tag-free trim bands for invisible wraps - [www.youtube.com]

Tight Lies and frisky fish

RJF

Terje,

Another thing to be very careful of - make sure you don't contaminate the thread! If you handle the thread with your fingers (like I do, all hand wraps...) you must make sure your hands are very clean. Otherwise, your "clear" wrap will have blotchy areas where your body oil prevented the finish from penetrating evenly.