I understand that the color of the blank can strongly influence the final color of nylon wraps, if CP is not used. I’m building a Sage XP and plan to use Gudebrod garnet wraps (206), gold metallic trim and no CP. I was hoping the garnet would turn translucent and become a dark red. I have recently heard some pretty strange outcomes are possible. I have already attached the reel seat and handle, so testing this out in advance in an inconspicuous spot is not as easily done. (I’d like to avoid painting the blank under the wraps white, if unnecessary.)

Does anyone have experience with garnet thread w/o CP over the unusual green XP blank? Will I achieve the color I hope for or am I into a nasty surprise?

I posted a similar message earlier but forgot to use my whole name, so I assume it got pulled. But, I am trainable! Sorry, if you saw this before.

Thanks.

If you do not use color preserver with regular nylon thread it will tend to turn translucent and take on the color of whatever is beneath it. The particular shade you will get on that blank is something that is hard to predict.

If you have not already assemble your handle and seat, you might make a test wrap or two on the butt section and finish that in order to see what it will look like when you do your thread wraps.

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I would suggest mixing up a small batch of the finish you are going to use and just coating 1 wrap that could be redone if you just can not stand it. Must be a place where you could add a hookeeper or something to cover a re-wrap.

I use a lot of maroon on green blanks and tried garnet once. I think you will get a dark red but shaded more to brownish. Not sure I rember exactly or could describe it anyway. The maroon does turn dark brownish maroon. I sorta like it.

Color preserver makes the wraps look flat colored to me. The beautiful sheen of the nylon

Never tried the white paint. It does not sound like fun to me.