I finished a rod pry 4 months ago and took it fishing maybe 5 times. It's a spiral wrapped rod with a simple spiral. My first 180* guide has the epoxy peeling and cracking and the first three guides all have crackes where the feet come up to the guide. I was curious what you guys think would cause and how I can prevent it from happening again because I'll probably end rewrapping them again.

My epoxy process is pretty simple I put it on let it sit for a couple minutes then swipe away the drips, rotate and repeat twice then throw it on the dryer. I let it dry for about 24 hours then apply a second coat without sanding (maybe my problem?) I uses flex coat high build if that helps any.
Thank you and really appreciate the advice!

could be several things why 2 coats when one will give you the same result and you use 1/2 the finish just apply while it is turning
guide tunnels not getting filled
not sanding possibility
the wraps not tight enough and guide feet / foot can move as rod is flexed .
the wraps not getting wetted because the finish is not flowing over the wrap just in to a drip and removed and repeated removing to much of the main coat of finish as it isn't turned frequently to flow the finish again should be in the dryer it will keep the finish even and if drips appear you applying to much finish

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I think the most likely reason for the cracking at the feet is too much epoxy. You have to get epoxy there, but pick it off if it forms a significant "blob" forms.

Regarding the peeling, I can only speculate that something happened between the first and second coat. Maybe too much time between coats? Without scuffing it? Contamination?

I usually use two coats of Flex Coat Lite, the second following the first within a day, no scuffing, and have never had a peeling problem. The first coat is more generous than the second, but the first is not heavy enough to sag or form footballs. The second coat completely covers the first, but is thin, only to cover any nubbins I cut off or to cover the thin area that often forms on the top of the guide foot where the thread texture shows.

Are you using color preserver? What kind of thread are you using? With the use of CP and/or NoCP thread the epoxy does not penetrate the threads and is thus more prone to cracking and peeling. Like Micheal I use a thin second coat within 24 hr without sanding and only if I need to cover flaws.
Norm

It would be helpful to see a photo of the "cracking."

A simple crack line at the end of the guide foot is almost normal in most cases but can be reduced greatly by creating a more shallow taper at the end of the guide foot.

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The reson I like to do two coats is because I like to really pile on the epoxy while I'm spinning it by hand then when I get all the guides coated I let the rod sit for a couple minutes then wipe out the drips. I'll usually rotate a couple time to make sure it won't football so I would think the wraps are getting wetted enough. After that process it's usually a fairly thin first coat to where I'll have a few nubs poking out so then I do a second coat. I fill the guide tunnels using a tooth pick till the look filled. As for color preserver I don't use it but I did use Pac Bay nocp thread. I'll try posting a photo but it will pry be a few day because I made the rod for my father in law so I'll have to snap a photo next time I'm there. But the cracking and peeling are happening where the guide feet meet the guide. A picture will definitely explain it better then I can so hopefully I can get that up soon. Thanks for all the help so far really appreciate it!

[www.rodbuilding.org] Is that how I get a phot on here

I think it worked, anyways that's my problem if you guys can see it in the photo

It looks like a crack at the end of the guide foot. That's sort of normal, but obviously not something anyone likes to see. Try tapering that foot end to a shallower profile and some of that type cracking should go away on future rods.

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Ok thanks tom I'll be doing that from now on.