Hi to all and thanks for reading.
I am attempting to preserve the Garcia – Conolon decal and logo on this vintage rod. Following suggestions received from earlier post on this forum, I have coated the decals with CP and, fortunately, experienced no lifting of the decals and all looks very good. The original plan was to put a coat of thread epoxy over them, all the way around the blank, between two, additional trim bands. Everything looks good and original as is and was wondering if I could avoid the additional trim bands and epoxy. Is the CP durable enough as a coating by itself or does it require an additional finish over it? While I realize the epoxy coating would certainly be the best, I would rather leave the rod / decals looking more original if possible and practical.
Always appreciative of assistance from all of you.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

CP is not terribly durable from the standpoint of resisting scratches, scrapes, etc.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/21/2016 12:07PM by John E Powell.

Once dry water based paint will not dissolve with water. I doubt CP will dissolve with water but will not hold up very well. It is too soft.

Mark

CP's primary purpose is to preserve thread color. Yes, it is used for other purposes, such as an adhesive in addition to its primary if being a sealer. But ti will not well protect thread wraps or decals or inscriptions, etc. long-term. So, unless the restored rod will be a wall hanger, I'd put one or two thin coats of finish epoxy over the CP.

One of the hateful quandaries of breathing new life into a very old rod is just how true to the original do you desire the end product to be, especially so when today's available hardware, adhesives, techniques, etc. are superior to yesterday's. I'll start work on an old, "blue collar" fly rod next month, and am still debating whether or not to do a true restoration or to re-build the way the manufacturer might have built it originally had the manufacture had today's materials available not been constrained by the need to market the rod at a lower price point.

Simply put, if you want the decal to survive, you have to coat it with wrap epoxy.

It does not have to be wrap epoxy! Varnish. Perma Gloss or other urethanes will work as well. The original may have had a light coating of varnish.

If you want to keep the shine down a satin finish may be appropriate.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/21/2016 12:07PM by John E Powell.

I have not soaked it to see, because I do not soak my rods.

I would not feel comfortable using it as a finish

Ron Weber

Thank you to all responding, even though not receiving the answer I hoped for. As anticipated, the decals will receive a coat of thread epoxy. One cannot argue with a unanimous opinion, especially from veterans like all of you.
Phil, from other similar posts, I am afraid to use PG or similar products because their “hot” nature.
Donald, my respect and passion for, along with desire to “breathing new life into a very old rod” seams to mirror your beliefs of these vintage beauties. There is something special about seeing, holding and, best yet, fishing a 60 year old FG Conolon or 100 year old bamboo Heddon rod, particularly if all original. While somewhat understandable most of these classics are delegated to display only, I prefer to see them fished as originally intended. Obviously, if in pristine condition, it should be left that way, not even epoxy to protect the frail wraps. If all the original decals, wraps and such are pretty much intact, the rod should be kept in that condition with any required repairs performed with circa materials as best possible, down to nitrocellulose finish. If guides are missing, modern replacements are suitable. But I love to take a neglected vintage rod with no identifying markings and resurrect it with modern components to experience the beauty and unmistakable feel of a vintage FG blank while utilizing advanced technologies. The only down side is having to answer so many questions from numerous inquiring people who see it, even allowing them to fish it. Amazing how quickly they develop the same respect.
Additional thanks to Tom, Ken, Michael, Spenser, John and Ron.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

When these rods were made, the finish that was used was some form of varnish. Such modern finishes such as epoxy or PermaGloss (urethane) had not been developed. Rod Dancer makes a water based Varnish that I have been experimenting with and I like the properties (so far). If you wish to renovate these vintage rods, you might want to try the Rod Dancer Product.

Mike Blomme