I just built my first rod and i used flex coat lite. It was kind of a BITCH!!!!!! The first coat was a problem but the second one wasnt to bad. So for someone new to the rod building scene would you pros recommend lite or high? Most of the rods I'm looking to build will be from 15 to 40 lbs and almost always for saltwater. Is high any easyer to use and is there any benefits using high? This site is great I thanks to all who help the "new kids" on the block!
Working with finish gets easier with practice. Build some more rods and you'll get the hang of it. I usually put FC on lengthwise on the guide wraps then spin the rod to do the wrap ends. Butt wraps and name wraps I spin the rod to apply. The FC light is good for the base coat as it penetrates the wraps better. Then finish the wraps with regular FC, 1 or 2 coats.
Nothing wrong with several coats of the lite version though. Some use the brushes to apply
the finish, some use small spatula type tools to apply. You need to decide which method works best for you.
I have about 7-8 Rods notchs on my work bench...So in no means am I an authority.
My first couple of rods were with the High Build...Talked to several Authorities on this and then tried the Lite....
The High build is good if you have alot of experience with finish...The problem I found with it, it that is more prone to bubbles.
With Lite...I was taught to put many finer coats and build up. Yes this takes alot more time. However the results are much better in my opinion. Finish each wrap before you wrap the next layer. For instance Trolling Rods get about 5 Lite Coats. Under wrap-finish, 3 Over wraps- finish on each wrap and a final coat or two pending the results.
Another thing that I do when the ambient temperatures are low, is I use a Candle Warmer. Which is like a minature hot plate...I put my finish cup on it, to heat it up...It gets rid of all the bubbles and makes the finish less viscus (sp) and it penetrates the wraps better...Be careful with the Candle Warmer...It can get to hot, you have to cycle the power on it.
The rod that I completed last night is the best one yet. Now I have to put on the decal and a small coat of finish over the decal, its done.
One thing that will help with finish, helping it flow and release bubbles, is to warm it once you have it turning on a dryer. A small alcohol lamp used CAREFULLY under the wrap does the trick. I've taken to using a heat gun for this step as it heats and blows the finish which really seems to help with any bubbles I may cause. Don't use an old heat gun you may have had laying around the garage, too much chance of introducing contaminants, get a new one and keep it in a box when not using it.
All my wraps are done in size A thread, and most of the gear I build is pretty tiny compared to what I see posted on this forum. But I dig the FC lite, I can't layer my finish the way I like to with the high build. I use a russian red sable brush and make each coat just thick enough to cover. I have 5wt fly rods with 6-7 coats of FC lite on them and they're beautiful. The more coats you use, the more durable your finish is going to be.
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