I have read a lot of threads about shelf life of Pro Kote. Most discuss color changes. I have some that has been sitting on the shelf for about a year or so. It mixes fine, nice and clear after I warm both up in hot water. But when I apply it, it goes on lumpy. By that I mean, as I apply it with a brush and work it down the blank, the brush pushes epoxy in a little lump for lack of a better word. Almost like a bow wave on a boat. In the past this bow wave would level out after a few minutes, but now It doesn't seem to want to self level as I am used to seeing it do. Is there a possibility that it is old and has suffered some kind of chemical change?

I can probably work with it by adding a little heat while its turning, but seems strange that it isn't self leveling like it used to.

Think I figured it out. I just increased the rotation speed of the rod and decreased the speed I moved the brush down the rod. That seems to have solved the problem.

Thanks.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/08/2017 11:08PM by John Wright.

John,
While not to the extent you described, I am experiencing similar issues with 6 month old ProKote, both regular and high build. I guess you and I need to build rods faster and use up the finish before it goes-off.

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

One time I mixed a larger batch, warmed it, and kept it in a mixing cup. It cured within minutes and created the lumps you described. At that time, I needed to either mix a smaller batch or pour it in a finishing dish so it could cool down. Might be a possibility, but I don't want to assume that you don't already know that.

Good luck! I haven't had that issue with prokote

Nick

John,
Lots of folks use both Flex coat, as well as Thread Master and there haven't been issues similar to the one that you have reported with ProKote happening to these products.

If unhappy with a product - you might try a different brand of product.

Be safe

I find that odd. I feel way more time crunched with FC than I ever did with PK. I'll be going back to ProKote after these bottles of FC are gone. I'm getting better and quicker with my application, but I still prefer the ability to be leisurely about it.

Do you use a power wrapper? I feel like my application got much easier and better when I started applying at about 80-100 rpms.

The RodMaker issue before last detailed a tool that allows you to dial in the pot life of an epoxy. It works by cooling the epoxy (not the room) while in the mixed stage.

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

Never experienced lumpiness with ProKote. Recently found a set aside supply of the build build flavor of ProKote that was so old the hardener was beyond yellow and well onto amber / light brown. Brought both parts to room temperature, microwaved only the resin for 9 seconds, mixed for 4 minutes in the electric, finish epoxy mixer, and applied to a rod's test wraps. There was no problem. The high build flavor of ProKote has a less generous open time than the medium viscosity and can be surprising the first time you use it.

ProKote has one of the longest working time of any finish I have used. Unless you are heating it to much or you are extremely slow. Shelf life for all the finishes I have used is extremely long. So I find it hard to believe that your problem is related to working time or shelf life. Is it possible that you cross contaminated your containers of finish with a small amount of one part with the other? This may cause a small amount of gelling to occur before mixing, This slightly gelled clot of finish would thin out when warmed. Just a thought.
Norm

Norman brought up a good point concerning cross-contamination. Through many years of epoxy use, I have adopted procedures to avoid that possibility. Keep each syringe in separate Ziploc bags identified with either red or blue writing so when stored there is no chance of contaminating each other. Immediately return to the bag after measuring a bath and wiping clean. Never use the same paper towel to wipe the syringes or bottles. Never use the same mixing stick (hopefully no need to include the cup) for an additional batch as the epoxy from the first batch has started to set-up and will throw off the preceding batch in time, strength and other issues.
While not experiencing the problems John stated, I have noticed a slight difference in the working properties since first opened but am still pleased with ProKote’s performance overall. I have not tried any other, it was the brand purchased when starting to wrap, it works, so why change?

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

John,
Pro Kote is sensitive to cold. Particularly the resin, check your bottle of Resin to see if it has crystallized. This is very common in colder Winter months. If the resin has crystalized it can be warmed, and as it heats up you will visibly see it change back to its original clear state. Based on the situation you are describing, the situation I just described could be the culprit, otherwise it sound like there may have been some cross contamination with the Activator possibly.

Feel free to give our tech support a call or email if you would like to troubleshoot further.

Regards.
Team Mud Hole Custom Tackle
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Email: sales@mudhole.com
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