On the rod I'm currently working on I made short trim wraps. I've let the loose ends of the thread in place since I don't want to cut them off now and destroy my work. I would like to secure them first.
What is the best way of securing trim wraps? A CP? What to do if I don't want to use CP on trim wraps? Thanks in advance.

what i do on my trim wraps which have 4-6 turns is i trim the tag ends as close as possable and if u use cp u dont meed to worrie much "just dont fiddle with them" but also a very lite coat of epoxy and then with a fresh razor blade i trim the pointie stickups left from triming my tag ends then you have them locked as per say and you finish epoxing the wraps and bingo u are set . hope this helps and tight wraps ....John T Burford aka: Tightline Rod's

With the proper tension and a little luck, you can trim those tag ends and not destroy your wraps. Keep in mind however, that all of us "lose" a trim wrap now and then.

There are some other methods for making really narrow trim bands that hold tight and get you a 2 or 3 thread width. When I have more time I will revisit the subject, unless someone else would like to add the method in the meantime.

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If you mean a trim wrap at the edge of an underwrap or guide wrap I usually start off with the trim color and wrap that as think as I need it. When I am finished I don't pull it under, I cut it and tape the end to the rod. I then begin the rest of the wrap by starting the wrap on top of the tag end from the trim wrap. This holds it in place and I continue the wrap. When finished with the main wrap I then do the same thing this time wrapping the trim over then end of the wrap. The tag end from the last trim wrap is then pulled under the wrap to finish it off. Hope that this wasn't too confusing and helps.

I still have trouble with it, but I end up cutting the trim wrap threads just a little long and then trim them again after the first coat of finish.

Alan, On the subject of trim wraps that are small in nature a single double or even a triple. I first tape a 4" piece of trim wrap along the length of the guide foot (the same direction that the monofilament would go if your were rigging up your rod). On the other side of the guide foot I tape a piece of monofilament in the form of a loop. I then start my guide foot wrap over both of these pieces. Go about 5 turns and then wrap your trim wrap over the mono loop and around the blank however many wraps you would like. Stick the tag end through the mono loop holding the tag end snug so it lays on the blank nice and tight and then pull the mono loop and the tag end through. Trim both your trim wrap tag ends and it is a perfect tag every time. Hope this helps you as it has me for nice neat and small wraps that really set a rod off. With this method the trim wraps are very secure and the actual guide wrap is what holds them in place so CP is not required to hold them in place but can be used to keep original color of the thread instead as I suppose is what it is intended for. David A Tomasch

I use the same method that David describes. When you are ready to pull the tag end with your loop, press down on the wrap tightly to prevent the tag end from sliding around the blank - this is especially important if you are using only a one or two thread trim band. Also, when not using color preservative on the wrap you should use NCP thread on the main wrap or your pulled-through tag end will show up under the wrap.