I am building an 8ft gator blank and it obviously has that unfinished look to it. I was wondering if there is any products similar to permagloss or lumiseal that I could use to give the blank that "glossy" look to it. I am just interested to know if there are any "less" strong products that aren't as "toxic". I've just read so many posts and reviews about these urethane products being really nasty and bad for you. I have also read people putting flex coat or pro kote over the entire rod not just the wraps, I don't want to add all that extra weight by using the wrong product on the rod. Thanks, Jaret Hunter

Don't drink them and they aren't likely to hurt you. Provide adequate ventilation.

You can also use any of a number of clear, exterior water based urethanes. They won't dry quite as hard, but as reasonably durable regardless.

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Where do guys get the idea they need to epoxy the whole blank? Wondering where that comes from? See it here all the time.

I don't know where the idea comes from but I've been reading about it on all of these different forums. Any products you could recommend from the water based section of the urethanes?

I needed to do a quick coat on a rod that was going to be used in a youth "learn to fly cast" session. I used clear Krylon. 2 light coats. All I needed was for the finish to look good for a few weeks and give the blanks some protection. that was 4 years ago and it still looks good.

Wanna bet Jaret is from florida? THat's where the you have to finish the entire blank thing comes from. They are still swearing by gargantuan sized wire guides.

Okay Billy Vivona? Sorry I'll rename the thread "people from florida think" I didn't start this thread for your opinion on people from Florida. Just asking for some helpful opinions on the subject. I'll make sure to throw away my gargantuan guides FYI. Thanks

Hi Jaret,

I didnt mean anything by the question. I was just asking because I don't remember coming along this while learning about rod building. Just wondered if there was a video or builder out there saying to apply finish to the whole blank for a specific purpose. It gets asked here a lot by guys. Curiosity about the source. My apologies if it came off judging.

See, I was right, Florida! HAHA. And for the bonus, you got those big wire guides going on the rod/

Lmao surprisingly no wire guides or van staal reels for me. Out of curiosity where are you from? New York?

I see that a lot in NJ. A few local well known builders do it so it must have to be done. Mostly on heavy off shore stuff. I built some and was asked why didn't I finish the whole blank. On these rods weight is not an issue. As BIlly noted its a regional thing. One guy does it and all follow . If i took offense to things billy said online i would have driven over there and kicked his ass several times . Its the NY attitude you are offended by, not his point.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

No Adam Curtis your cool man it wasn't your post that bothered me. I have just read all over this forum and other ones guys writing that they put finish on the entire blank which obviously seems dumb I was just interested to know if there was any products similar to the urethane based ones that I could use if I wanted to fully go for the gloss look. But apparently since I'm from florida I'm obviously going to have to listen to the master and fully gloss my rod and slap wire "gargantuan" guides on it.

Oh alright Fred thanks for your opinion I appreciate it and yeah it has to just be the New York in him that bothered me. He'll move down here once he retires like the rest of them and become a true "Floridian".

A urethane product is going to be better for coating the blank than an epoxy. It's lighter and tougher. If you have to do it, I'd go the urethane route.

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Google up any auto clears A lot have small containers you can get
One i have used is klass Kote urethain Comes in a kit You can also get a urethain thinner in Fast - med _ and slow to give extra time before setup

Bill - willierods.com

Hi Jaret,
If your gator blank is ribbed (if not disregard this post) and you are looking to hide them with permagloss or equal i would assume you would need a NY Cab load of product. Star Rods are very popular here in SouthWest Florida and they are completely epoxied over ribbed blank (at least the ones i worked on). A pain to replace guides on. I am not a fan of the ribbed blanks and would also NOT cover it in epoxy. Note experienced enough to say if you can sand the ribs off. Good Luck.

There are no large wire guides here, must be an upstate thing, they would have rusted off years ago. Charlotte Harbor is one of the harshest marine environments in the US. That is why Mercury Marine had their test facility here.


Billy, Hows he weather today? Brutal here this morning, 70 degrees and sunny :)

J Scott
Englewood, Fl



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/27/2015 12:29PM by Jim Scott.

Okay, not to stir the pot, but i have to ask.

I understood the purpose of your other question in the previous thread asking about sun and salt. With this question as a follow up to that one it appears you're leaning towards a finished blank.

Do you already own a gator and your asking the best way to proceed with it or are you still looking for a blank to purchase? If you're looking to purchase and want a smooth glossy blank I have to wonder why you're still considering the gator in the first place?

Thank you every body for your advice I appreciate it. And thank you Jim Scott the blank is indeed ribbed that's the main reason why I was considering finishing the entire blank with a sanded and gloss look (and your right the weather is just brutal down here, storm of the century) And John E Powell I own multiple gator rods that are finished and not ribbed and are completely glossed. I have multiple blanks of gators now and these ones are ribbed and I was wondering if I should completely finish them or leave them how they are. I don't mind the raw unfinished look but I was seeking others opinions to see what they thought about it. Thanks again everyone I appreciate all the feedback.

Sand the blank down Most are just that the company is too lazy to sand them Cheaper more sales ??

Bill - willierods.com

Bill I don't think any company out there is "too Lazy" to do a certain step in their building process. Things are done and not done for reasons. That lazy remark was pretty lame for a nicer way to put it than I wanted to.