Any advice on a reasonably ...

-easy
-inexpensive
-flexible
-durable
-clear
-light-weight

..."Lowe's"-type solution for putting a protective finish on a bare unpainted fiberglass blank? I'm willing to compromise on one or two of the above items.

Thank you.

Hard wax works well.

Minwax Marine Spar polyurethane

Hello All.

The only bad thing about wax is that it needs (in my opinion) to be redone a lot, I fish mostly salt water and the salt and the soap for washing the salt off is hard on wax so it needs to be redone often.

A poly should do the trick, or an automotive clear acrylic.

Just a thought.

Good Luck and let us know what you decide and how well it comes out positive and negative.


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

I would opt for an automotive "bumper" paint / finish as it has a "flex" additive.

PermaGloss or Lumaseal. Lightweight, hard, flexible, thin, water white clear, forever.

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

Permagloss and Lumaseal are great products but I have trouble with them because they are so hot. The working time is too short for me. I find Gudebrod Rod Varnish gives a nice durable finish on re-builds and it is water based.....just paint it on with a foam brush. I have a few rods I used it on and 3 years later they are still looking good.
I think you can still get it if you look around.

That's all great advice, but then let me ask you this: is there anything stupid about NOT putting ANY type of finish on a fiberglass blank (except epoxy where the guides go) and using it bare?

No you can certainly leave the blank "naked" ... In fact several companies sell 'unfinished' blanks --- and matte finish blanks are quite popular.

Ken Preston Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No you can certainly leave the blank "naked" ...
> In fact several companies sell 'unfinished' blanks
> --- and matte finish blanks are quite popular.


Finally, is this a case for underwrapping to protect the "naked" fiberglass from marring by the guide feet? Or if you just file down the sharp edges, will the guide feet be "blank-safe"?

I'm down to the MinWax Spar Urethane - or - Duplicolor Clear Acrylic Enamel for autos. Is the enamel going to be too brittle for a fishing rod?