The mad-swirl can be done on about anything. The main thing is to fill your pits and pores. This can be done on eva, cork, and rigid pour foam. I prefer rigid pour foam. You need to prime the item. You can vary your top coat colors by your basecoat color, meaning that if you use white primer, your colors will be true to their color, but if you use black primer, the colors will either change or be muted, For example, Ochre over white is a yellowish orange, but over a black base become an Olive color.
I did an article for Rod Maker a few years ago after i had got the process down so the steps are outlined in it.. Initially I used rustoleum and the borax method but then started bootlegging Magic Marble in from another country before it was available here. Once I started using it, I quit using the borax method. You can dip a rod, but you have to have enough height and surface area for the paint, I one time we had figured it would take about a tube about 6" longer than the rod, and about 10-12" diameter for the surface area. Alternatively, you can use a trash bin and dip each half with the seam meeting under where a guide will be set.
Here's a quick video I did a few years ago just for demonstration. It does not have all the steps. If you're doing grips, uses either Epoxy 321 from Riley Rods or thread finish. I like 321 better because it dries harder offers more rigidity. But most of the people I talk to I recommend thread finish because they have it on hand. For reel seats, I have an auto body place spray my seats. Be careful if you try to use a spray urethane. From my testing I did early on, it did not offer enough protection and would eventually scratch. Also, be sure to shake your bottles well in order to get the paint mixed up. [
youtu.be]
Steps:
1. fill in pits
2. Optional - put thin coat of epoxy/finish on.
3. sand to smooth
4. prime
5. dip
6. clear coat.
Take care,
Jeremy Reed
