Generation 4 Vivid first takes….

For those not aware, Vivid is a new color preserver on the market from Andy Dear - of Generation 4 epoxy. With Chromaseal no longer available we’ve all been looking for a good alternative.

Finally got a wrap done to give Vivid a go. Open chevron wrapped with Maderia. First pic is before application of Vivid. 2nd pic is after 1st coat. (2nd coat is drying now)

I know it’s a newly mixed formulation and has had little to no shelf time to settle, but when I opened the 4oz bottle to (gently) stir, I didn’t detect any solids on the bottom like I would get with the most recent Chromaseal

There is a slight aroma to Vivid compared to Chromaseal, but it’s nothing that’s obnoxious or troublesome. If anything it’s a bit sweet or fragrant.

I applied with the same brushes I use for applying Gen4 - the blue handled “China bristle” brushes I get off Amazon in bulk quantity. I applied first by brushing on, but then by spinning the blank in the rod lathe at speed like I have always applied Chromaseal (and Gen4 epoxy). On the first and second coat no signs of bubbling.

After the first coat there was a bit of a gloss sheen from the product. Very consistent across the blank and even on the open sections of the satin blank. This is a bit of contrast to Chromaseal that would “dull” the thread (before epoxy applied when the dullness would disappear) and often it would not seem to flow well over the bare blank.

After making sure any extra product was removed with the brush I placed in my drying cabinet which was set around 79. Just laying on the rod stands - no turning

The second coat was applied after about 3 hours as that’s when I got back from dinner. Second coat went on without issue. With recent bottles of Chromaseal I’d experienced “fisheye” with the CP on a second coat over some Maderia thread but no issues with Vivid - it laid down nice, smooth and even.

It’s in the dryer again now. I’ll apply the first coat of Gen4 epoxy in the morning - that of course will be the real test. I assume I could go ahead and do so sooner (after 2 hours) per the info on the bottle but did want to clarify that first.

I’ll follow up once epoxy has been applied with final pics.

I’ll also do some side by side tests of Fuji and Madeia thread with Chromaseal, FlexCoat and Vivid and do some guide wrap adhesion tests when I get a chance.

In full disclosure, while Andy did send me a 2oz bottle, I actually purchased a 4oz bottle for testing and use prior to receiving the sample from Andy - so my comments & opinions are my own.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/09/2023 11:22PM by Michael Ward.

I’m always amazed how CP is almost undetectable on some colors. I can barely distinguish the difference on the lime green. The baby blue got a bit darker with the CP. Looks good, however.

It’s a bit hard to tell in those pics as lighting and such of the pics may be a little different. I’ll run some side by side test of bare thread and various CPs soon

Michael,

I applied for the first time this evening and it does not brush like a water soluble product. I was brushing it on and working into the thread and that looked like a mistake, I guess I’ll see after the first coat dries. I was putting on 50wt silk variegated thread, so I’m interested if it does not dull like the flexcoat.

Mike

Apply it as thin as you can. A couple coats. It creates a glossy finish when dried

Thanks

I’ll give that a try.

Mike