For 6 years I have always enjoyed rodbuilding except for one part, finish application. I spent so much time building a beautiful rod, nice packed threads, inlays, feathers, etc....only to ruin it with finish applications. Lumpy, uneven, "footballed" etc.. Well I solved the problem with using Crystal Coat. The only problem was it took 3-5 coats on threads and up to 7 on buttwraps. I decided to try LS. ARRRG! Lumpy again. Well for many months you guys have said, apply very thin coats, I thought I was! After building a very involved rod, I ruined it with LS. So, the only thing I could think was, "Everyone else is having success with this, what am I doing wrong?" I am no professional, but feel confident in my craft. I decided on this next rod, I am going to quit worrying about how many coats it will take and put it on as thin as I can. So, on a but section with feather inlays, I saturated the entire wrap with finish, ensure good penetration and coverage, THEN went back with spatula ( I use painters knife) and scrapped every bit of finish off I could. Left it rotating overnight and came back. Amazing! the smoothest and most level finishing job I have ever done! Certainly another coat was in order as the edges of feathers and an errant thread protruded, but what I thought wouldn't even build enough to cover the threads, almost completed the whole thing! I did have to put two more coats on as I had three "layers" of feathers on, but I am awaiting some guides to start the wraps and am anticipating two coats at most. Bottom line, why didn't I REALLY listen to you guys?! This has taken my enjoyment of building to a whole new level! I am no longer scared to put the finish on. Tom K. consistenly related most of the finish problems on this site to TOO much finish application at one setting, who am I to be so arrogant to think that can't be my problem, I know what I am doing.
So my advice to anyone experiencing wavyness, footballs, even bubbles (if it is too thick, they have farther to escape), apply finish to completely saturate, then take off as much as you can, threads protruding and all. Try it, you will be amazed.

i agree! once i just started trying to finish the thread the first time, then go back a second time and finish that, it worked better. i can also get better results (thinner application, cleaner edges) by using a popsickle stick. i'm definately going to buy one of the hobby spatulas!

I find Flex Coat's Lite formula Rod Wrapping Finish works best, helps me avoid the football shape coats.

Thank you for the experience, Elrod. Glad you have found a system that works.

I've not had any problems with my finish looking nice, (Flex Coat is great stuff!) but I have been trying for a thinner finish for my personal high-performance rods.

Maybe removing as much finish as I can is the trick. Thanks for that tip.

TH