I've have been reviewing all the different threads about painting rod blanks. But my problem is I don't have a spray gun. Is there an option out there for a spray can paint that works well for painting rod blanks? I'm trying to make a brightly colored rod tips to see the action on a fiberglass blank.

I see that mud hole used to offer some spray can paint but they no longer do. I am sure there is a reason for that

dupli color from automotive parts store Krylon , Rust Oleum home improvement store all are spray paints in a can

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

These rods will be used in -25 degrees like last weekend. I am just afraid of the paint cracking and staying flexible in the cold.

I live in WI. and have done this since the 60's YES it gets that and colder I still fish as much as I can weather not a factor today it is 16 with a wind chill of -7 going to be cold but will leave here at 10:00 am going for trout on lake Michigan and never never had a paint job on a blank chip peal or crack don't sweat it it works

all I have ever did was to wipe the blank down with either lacquer thinner or acetone wrap a loop of string/line around the butt end and over tape it with some masking tape hang the blank up so you can rotate it while you spray the blank, you have to be quick so you don't runs in the paint let it dry properly in a warm room temp of 70 or somewhere in that range and you will be good to go in a day or 2 depending on the paint you choose to use I prefer dupli color or Rust Oleum. but that is just me

one thing you can do but not necessary is to scuff the clear coat on the blank to provide more grip for the paint

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

Dupli color for dash boards has a flexing agent in it, you can get it at most auto parts stores. Some of it even has a clear coat built in.

You could wrap the tip in a bright colored thread and coat it. I have used this for a friend and it works well.

I use an air brush - it works great! I use only the paint I need.
As for the paint - I have great success with Createx wicked air brush paint used for automotive graphics as well as plastic RC car bodies which can flex but the paint won't crack.


Jon Hood

Rust oleum has worked for me. it goes on smoothly and evenly. I put 2-3 light coats on then clear on top.. I live in pa. and it gets that cold around here..

I’ve had some success painting a couple of rods. I was trying to color match the honey colored rod my father built from a 1975 Cabela’s kit. I used 500 grit sandpaper to knock the sheen off my fiberglass blank, then tack clothed off all dust that couldn’t be blown off. From there I spray painted two coats of my base color from an Aaron Brothers art store. Dry, Wet sand, dry again, and then I used Krylon clear for plastic. Wet sand again, and then I used rubbing compound to get a high gloss finish. Fair warning, adding paint to your rod will slow the rods natural action. That’s not nearly as critical for heavy boat rods, but try this on a trout/panfish rod...and the action you thought you had will be gone. This is why manufacturers...up until the past few years, have colored their blanks by tinting their resin. I don’t exactly know how Sage and other manufacturers are getting these really cool colors on their graphite blanks, but I suspect they’re painting the blanks in a one coat process to prevent from having to do what I did for my fiberglass rods. Hope this helps.

Just want to make it clear, I am not a rod builder. 35 yrs. ago I made a few custom rods for myself I painted the blanks using a lacquer in a spray can. The paint seems to have held up well. Anyone have any thoughts on this. Thanks