A few years ago I built a 2/3 wt 12' fly rod using blanks I purchased from the Angler's Roost ( a very good outfit by the way). The rod turned out fine except for two finish blemishes resulting from my clumsy application of covering the wraps on the butt section with Thread-Maker. The first and longest wrap holding the hook-keeper has a "wavey" application of Thread-Maker. How can this application be evened out so it is uniform over the length of the wrap? Next, the application over the wrap on the first guide was somehow marred before the Thread-Maker epoxy set up. The application is otherwise even over the wraps, but the guide area on the top of the blank must have touched something while the thread cover was still "wet." Can this faux-pas be repaired and how? Thanks.

Patrick,
Use a sanding block with fine sandpaper to remove the uneven finish.

If you only put on one coat of finish, it might be a good idea to put on a 2nd coat before sanding. If you have a very thin layer of finish, there is a good chance that you will sand through the finish and fuzz the thread.

I like to put a wrap of wide masking tape at the end of the area where I am sanding, so I only sand the area that needs to be sanded and leveled.

Sand down until the finish is level, or until you come close to going through the finish. Stop sanding before going through the finish. If necessary, you can put on two or more coasts as needed, sanding in between, if the finish is not level and still wavy.

When doing this work, disassemble the rod, so you are only working on the section of rod that needs work.

Be safe

Just curious Patrick, when applying the finish (and i think you mean Thread-Master, not Thread-Maker, no?), did you start at the tip or the butt end? if you started at the tip, it takes a long time to reach the butt end on a 12 foot rod. this doesn't help you now, but next time, try mixing up two batches of finish. one for each half. and don't mix up the second batch until you've completely applied the first half. I imagine the finish started setting up by the time you reached the butt end, leading to the wavy finish.

eric
fresno, ca.

Gulp!!! I did use Thread Master, not Thread "Maker." No wonder I had problems! Thanks for your input.

Once upon a time I had some wavy finish troubles that I think were caused by a drying surface that wasn't level...
The problem came on after I moved and it was only on the long wraps.
This made me suspicious. When I checked with a level, I found the bench I was using was low at one end.
Shimming things up smoothed out my finish.

Making long, smooth sections of finish takes practice.
I used a junk blank to practice over several times. Wrapped it with thread, epoxy finished 2 coats (sanding when necessary), peeled, repeat. Did this quite a few times before I got a finish I was pleased with.
Just a thought.

You hit it Daniel. The problem wraps were lonnng ones. I'll have to be more careful in the future though I doubt I'll make such long wraps on any future rod I might build.

Patrick,
One thing that is a huge help if you use very high speed when applying finish and insure that you have thin finish when applying.

By using thin finish and high speed for finish application, the finish will level and will be smooth. If you apply too much finish or use finish that is too thick, you will very likely end up with waves in the finish.

As long as your wraps are smooth, and you put exactly the same amount of finish on each location on the wrap, the finish will have to be smooth.

I don't believe in sanding a finish either. Normally, unless one gets in a hurry and gobs on finish in one spot, sanding will not be necessary.

Be safe

IF

You have controll of the speed of your Finisher - The on long wraps I IMHO think it is better to have it spin faster when aplying the finish After all the finish is on You can brush right to left and left to right It works
You can also stop the turner and let some of the finish drip off
Make sure the rod is level !!!! A couple of 180 turns and then set at a slower speed
I also like a light finish - So ya have to put on more coats But it levels better Less bubbles

Bill - willierods.com