This is for my own purpose. I would like to know which rod finish is the choice of custom rod builders. Is there really a difference in the different brands? Also which speed do you find best when spinning the rod? Primarily salt water rods. I am currently using LS Supreme and I am ready for a new batch so I thought I would get the professionals opinion. Thank you for any Input.

Tom

I am not a "proffesional" but I build mostly surf rods and I have always used the flexcoat finishes with good results. I maybe changingthough the new rodsmith glues and finishes have gotten great reviews so far and I am going to try them next.

I was advised very early in my rod building attempts to select a finish and method that I was comfortable with and stick with them. This advice was recently reiterated by Rich Forhan in RodMaker magazine. Flex Coat works well for me.

I'll be doing some testing to answer this exact question, what epoxies work "best" and at what motor speeds. I have 8, 18, 30, and 40 rpm motors, Aftco, Rodsmith, Amtak Hi & Lo, FC High and Lo, Supreme, Crystal Coat, & Glass Coat.

Tom,
I think that there was a good article in RodMaker a few issues ago about the different finishes. You might also want to try a search as there has been a great deal posted here about finishes.

American Tackle finnish works the best for me. I'm no expert by any means so if It levels out good for me it will work for anyone.

I used PermaGloss to set feathers and for the first two coats on the eyes to seal the thread.

Finish with one thin coat, just enough to cover the threads with LS Supreme.,

Terry

my opinion is i found ls supreme to be my choice
i have been building rods for only a year now, but when i purchased my stuff in the begining i purchased flex coat and ls supreme and i tried them both on rods i made for my self from light spinning, bass rods and tuna rods i put the flex coat in the corner and all i use is the supreme its name says it all i like the long pot life and its very easy to use, the bubbles are easy to get out as well

Flex-Coat and Flex-Coat Lite are the finishes I learned with. Having said that, I mostly use LS Supreme and Perma-Gloss these days.I like both Perma-Gloss and LS Supreme,depending on anticipated results, best, so far. I haven't used any others except Crystal-Coat, so I've no opinion on what I've not used.

I like the Glass Coat Finish. It levels will and is very clear. I don't use a drying motor, just rotate the rod 180 degrees every 10 minutes for about an hour.
Steve French

I second the Glass Coat. Most straightforward finish I've tried. Works just like Flex Coat but dries a bit faster and doesn't turn nearly as brown.

I like to use Envirotex eppoxy. You could buy it at ACE hardware for half the price of flexcoat. I build mostly surf rods, the emvirotex has a pot life of over 35mins, it helf when i eppoxy the larger rods. It spreads nice and doesn't yellow that much.
-Tony

Dear Wrapping Friends,

Back in the late 70's (yes I'am old) when epoxy rod finishes were somewhat in their infantcy, I bagan using them with great delight. The finish looked so great and deep and I didn't have to spend a week putting coat after coat of varnish on threads, PLUS the CP - Whew!!! I can't remember ever having troubles with epoxies that are being spoke of today. But then again, I said I was old . . .???

I started back into rodbuilding in May of this year and I found I had missed a lot. What was unique back then was now the norm. And epoxies are still here and are just as wonderful. I started back up with the American Tackle epoxy finish but during the new learning process I decided to try what appeared to be the standard finish - Flex Coat

My first attempt with both of these finishes was OK as I needed a lot of renewed practice. The Am. Tackle epoxy was great, crystal clear and very forgiving of those wretched "bubbles". Just breathe softly on the wrap and they all just disappear - Voila!!

Flex Coat behaves pretty much the same way - works very nice and dries in much the same time frame as the Am Tackle. BUT, if you can find one, view the finished wraps under at least an 8 power loupe and you may be surprised at what you find. On two occasions I discovered a ba-zillion tiny air bubbles lurking UNDER the finish. These can't be seen with the naked eye at normal viewing distances, so they may be irrelevant to most people, but they are there. There was approximately 5 months from when I used Flex Coat first on a test rod and then the most recent time on a rod of my own with the same visible results. It may never affect the quality of the finish, but, they are there just the same. The quality is in the details!!

American Tackle's finish works great for me.

LS Supreme. I look forward to the higher build formula.

I also use Glass Coat. I thin it out. Great set time, no bubbles

Permagloss for blanks over color.

I'm happy with LS Supreme as I'm now familiar with its characteristics and I appreciate the long pot life and its ability to release bubbles as well as its clarity. If I were building larger rods and covering larger guides and butt wraps I would probably use Glass Coat or one of the other high build epoxies more often. I do think that we are fortunate to have the choices available now. With experience you can choose a product that best suits your need. I do think as you gain more experience with a particular epoxy you will be able to achieve your desired intent in a variety of situations.

HEY HEY,

My favorite finish is glass coat with LS supreme a very close second.

for a salt rod I do the following,

1) try not to use cp

2) 2 coats permagloss to lock everything tight

3) one application of glass coat over the top to bulk it up and give the wraps shine.

happy wraps "John"

Glass Coat!!! I build saltwater rods with very high build,,,levels better than anything I've used,,,heat with alcohol lamp, bubbles disappear!

I use HobbyPoxy. I like thinner finishes that get applied in 3 or 4 coats.