How light can I get away with finishing my wraps? I finished an ultra light trout rod and was wondering if I can get away with a thin coat of epoxy? Thin enough you can steal feel the texture of the wraps? Will this hold ?

Yes it will just make sure you get epoxy in the voids at the guide feet. I usually try to get away with two coats on the guides. A very thin one first then one that will cover the thread lines, just for aesthetics, but it is not necessary for holding the guide.

Yes, a thin coat of epoxy where you can still see and feel the individual threads, will generally be fine. It won't look as nice (perhaps) or be as resistant to abrasion as a higher build, but it'll still do the job and last a long time.

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You can go as light as you wish. If you really want an extra light finish try a coat or two of Permagloss. The thread texture will be visible but the guides will be locked in place, and I don’t think there is anything lighter.
Norm

Kenneth,
Really, don't beat yourself up. On most rods, whether you put on one relatively thick coat of finish or 5 thin coats of finish - you will likely not be able to tell or feel the difference between the action and feel of the rod. Much less a single skinny thin coat of finish.

Lets say that you save 10 grams of weight by really skimping on the finish. Do you really think you could feel any difference in the action or performance of the rod.

The key to a light rod build is to put on no butt wraps, use wraps only to cover the guide foot with little extra and a reasonable coating of thread finish. You will be good to go.

For the most part, I agree with Roger You can save more weight by using smaller and lighter guides. For example, an entire set of Minima M and F guides used for an ultra light spin build will weigh less than a single ceramic stripper guide.
Norm

Norman Miller Wrote:
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> You can go as light as you wish. If you really
> want an extra light finish try a coat or two of
> Permagloss. The thread texture will be visible but
> the guides will be locked in place, and I don’t
> think there is anything lighter.
> Norm

Kenneth,

I second Norman's recommendation... use Perma Gloss. You can even go to 4 or 5 coats to cover the threads a little more and the finish will still be much lighter, (and more durable), than epoxy.

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com