Need some advice. I've recently started using water-slide decals with my logo on them. On the first rod I used them on , I had my logo decal between the first and second guides with the name of the rod on the back of the same area. Used masking tape to mask off on either side of the decals and then applied two coats of LS Supreme.
After removing the tape, the decals looked good , but the edges that were masked off looked very obvious. Do you mask off a small area around your inscriptions to cover with finish , or do you finish from guide to guide? How many coats? How heavy? Any advice would be really apreciated.
Thanks,
Lynn

Lynn,
The two coats should be no problem, but do away with the masking tape. Just apply finish to the edges, as the rod rotates it should level off to a clean smooth edge.

Rich
Solyrich Custom Rods

I'm with Rich, just apply the finish no need to mask. I put my inscription and decals between the butt wrap and first guide and finish all the way to the guide on most rods.

Hi Lynn, I also do not use masking tape, however I do add a trim to either end of areas that I place the name of the owner / rod designation. Then finish as the guides.

Good luck, Pat Doyle

I'm with Pat on this one. You can get a good edge without tape or thread, but it sure it easier if you bracket the inscription area with some narrow thread bands. Gives you a chance to get a bit more color in there too.

If you feel like you need to mask, remove the tape after you apply the epoxy. This will allow the epoxy to smooth out on the edges. If you wait till it dries it will rag the edges like you have seen.

Mike Moran
www.alleghanyanglers.com

Just curious as to what printer and paper products you are using. I have been searching for a very long time for a good approach. I did the waterslide for ink jets, but the colors always printed off transparent. So, what looked good on the printed sheet would disappear once applied to a dark blank. How is your setup working?

Thanks in advance

Elrod

Rather than masking you might try a thin piece of cloth moistened with denatured alcohol. Stretch across rotating blank at end of still wet finish area. Will clean off any unevenness. I use on all inscription areas and if I get a little messy on any other wrap.