What do you guys consider the best rod finish? I've been using Glass Coat and like it, but I would like to try others that may be more available for me to purchase locally. What do you like?

Well in my opinion this is an unanswerable question. I like many finishes but I don't consider any the best. I like different ones for different applications. And the finishes that I like may not be the ones other people consider the best.

Bottom line- try different ones. There are many listed on this board everyday. When you find one that you like use it.

I think Jason is right on, here. What someone else thinks is the best I might really dislike and what they don't like is my favorite. Try them yourself, I don't think there are any out there that aren't good if you use them (mixing, etc.) the way they need to be.

Putter

Klass Kote is an ultra-thin epoxy paint, and applies like a varnish. Must be ordered though. Clear, no bubbles, levels well.

The one You Use is the best.

To elaborate on the good advise from Randy and Jason. Pick one and stick to it. I have tried several and the one I go back to is the first one I used. Not because it's the best in a quality sense (every one I have tried is top quality). It's that I know the peculiarities of that one, I know how to apply it and get the results I want, and I don't want to spend the time to learn another.

Christian

Most of the known and tried finishes are good. Qualities vary for some purposes. Here is what I think are a few considerations and differences among a few better known brands:

Flex Coat... Very Popular and widely used. Comes in either the standard Hi-Build Formula and the lite build version.
The pot life makes this usable for any rod builder and has what might be considered a 'standard' drying time. The odd bubbles which may form can be easily 'popped' by gentle heat application.

LS Supreme....Also very popular for those liking a lower viscosity formulation and longer working pot life. It is very clear, and usually may require more than one application for complete coverage. The new Hi Build formulation may suit better for one coat coverage, but it's thick to work with. Bubbles are less problem, but don't apply heat after application.

Glass Coat.... An excellent professional grade of high build finish with similar pot life to flex coat. It dries faster than most finishes making it great for rod repair and also the one coat coverage makes is a favorite for butt wraps and larger wraps such as on s/w or large freshwater wraps. Glass Coat is extremely clear and pleasing in the final attribute. The formulation has 'bubble busting' properties, but heat may be applied gently after application to facilitate leveling.

Clear Coat....from Amtak is a very good overall two part epoxy coating for rod wrapping. Comes in hi build and lite build formulation. It's overall ease of use and ratings make it a popular choice for durability, clarity, and value.

Permagloss... is a urethane type based wrap coating that you don't mix two parts as it's not an expoxy type of finish. The application may require several coats, and is generally more popular as a tradition finish for lighter wraps on fly rods where you don't want a less lustrous coating over the wraps.

Formulations of two part epoxies are out there such as the new Pacific Bay Rodsmith Finish which are basically of some variation in features from the basic popular used ones above. They all serve an excellent purpose to the rod builder. You might use certain ones for some applications of preference, and another type for variation to what you might be doing such as wanting a quicker drying formula, a varnish type non-mixing formula, a clearer formula, etc. etc.

Rich Garbowski
Richard's Rod & Reel