Hi Everyone,

I am in the process of building a split grip carbon fibre grip. It's the 3rd one I have done now. I very much like the look and feel. I have two questions.

1. After wet layup how soon can you apply another coat of epoxy?
2. What are most people finishing the butt end off with?

My grip save a very red colour so I was hoping to not use a black rubber cap.

Thanks

Thank You,

Chris Tulk

This one is just a black plastic plug from NAPA.
[www.rodbuilding.org]

This is my favorite way. A Mudhole black rubber CRB butt cap.
[www.rodbuilding.org]

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

Go to Mudhole Under Butt Caps and Gimbles There are several in red ???

Bill - willierods.com

You can apply more epoxy as soon as the previous one isn't so tacky that you disturb it or that it "grabs" your application tool.

...............

I would say let it become Tack Free If your finger does not stick to the handle it is ready
If you try to be in a hurry you can mess it up them have to let it dry and sand
Just like you would on a guide wrap Tack free

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks everyone for their help. Very much appreciated!

I wait until later tonight for a second coat. That will give it a solid 8-10 hours.

Thank You,

Chris Tulk

I like these rubber butt plugs in the 3/8th. Pretty sure that the first grips I bought from Riley Rods had these.
[www.mudhole.com]

Hi Jerry

mybgrips are cherry red. I am trying to find a red rubber plug. I have poured my own epoxy caps in the past. I may have to do that for this build also. Problem is they scratch over time.

Thank You,

Chris Tulk

I've stopped using epoxy to make grips, I'm using a Vinyl Ester Resin to build my grips instead. You can mount the sleeve and build up another 3 coats of finish in less than eight hours. I sand level and polish to a high gloss with in 36 hours of the first coat of resin. As for the butt caps I've been turning my own out of rubberized cork, EVA and will use Alps components to cap the carbon fiber grips.

Here's a couple of photos of the butt caps that I use.
[www.rodbuilding.org]
[www.rodbuilding.org]
[www.rodbuilding.org]

Re the way to finish the butt cap, O'Reilly auto parts has a product in their panel fasteners display, a little clear "box" a lot like a lure box, that contains two different rubber "bumpers." One has a diameter of about 5/8 inch, is not thick, but goes onto the butt very unobtrusively, regardless of the color of the basic butt knob. Take a look.

I have used these a number of times, and while I have no data on how well they hold up, I expect they will do well. I do two things before glueing them into position. I wipe them very thorougly with alcohol to remove any mold release, which is on any rubber molded product. Then I sand the underneath face of the bumper and the "carrot" retainer with 150 grit sandpaper to enhance the grip of epoxy.