Hey gents. I finished my first coat of epoxy on my latest casting rod before Christmas. Doesn't look too bad but there is some irregular spots that I just didn't spend enough time on. Due to travel and family commitments, I'm just now having time to due the next coat. Is the anything that I have to do to prep the first coat for a better bond or finish? I'm resisting the urge to just clean it up and go for it. Any thoughts?

PS. This board is great. I find something new to read everyday.

Clean it up and go.

Do NOT use DNA or any sort of solvent on the thread finish. Rather, just use a lint free cloth or micro fiber cloth to insure that the wraps are clean and free of dust and you will be good to go.

Some folks advocate scuffing the finish a bit for better adhesion, but many folks will go a couple of months between coats and all remains well with the rod and its finish.

Up to you.

Good luck

I agree with Roger. You should be okay without doing anything but dust removal. I like to use blue painters tape to gently blot the wraps to remove dust. Before putting on the next coat you can slice off any thread nubs with a new razor blade.

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



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/18/2017 03:00PM by Chuck Mills.

Larry,
Acknowledgeably, there is a world of differences between the 1 to 1 epoxies used in rod building VS the 4 to 1 (approximately) structural epoxies used in the composite industry with which I am more familiar. Adhesion to itself MAY be one of those differences. A chemical bond between coats / layers / plies of a composite laminate will outperform a mechanical bond in every aspect, every time. In that I am referring to applying an additional “coat” of epoxy to the previous coat prior to it fully curing being vastly better than scoffing, let alone no surface prep, of the cured initial coat, the sooner, the better. What learned in the composite industry I carry over into my rod building. Although the consequences may be much more catastrophic in a race car or airplane, there is a lot more flex within a fishing rod. While obviously being a pain, consider scoffing before recoating, just to be safe.

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

I haven't had any problems recoating a fairly fresh build. On older rods I always clean, then hit it with grey Scotchbrite.

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

Perhaps ”scuff” would be more appropriate than “scoff”. Or is it “scough” or “scouf” or ???

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

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm might just scoughff it up a bit. Or maybe naught, err knot.

Touché, Larry!

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

Larry,
As Webster says - I will do my best not to "scoff" at any great advice!