In this last installment, part 4, we will cover the steps in applying finish to the guide wraps. The application of finish is not difficult, but it seems to be the most challenging part of building a custom rod to achieve a professional finish. Follow these steps and you will be able to achieve a professional quality finish.
After you have wrapped, burnished and checked the guides for final alignment, take a tack cloth and gently tack off each of the guide wraps to remove any dust particles.
Mount the butt end of the rod in a slow turning motor and support the tip end with some sort of support block. Turn on the motor so the rod is rotating.
Use a 2 part polymer finish like Flexcoat or Classic Coat. Mix 3 cc each of part A and B in a non plastic mixing cup. Add 10 drops of denatured alcohol or acetone and continue to mix for 3 minutes until all the bubbles are gone. Pour out the mixture on to a sheet of aluminum foil and let it spread out. This will release the heat in the finish and allow you more working time.
Used a _ inch good quality sable brush. Wash out the brush in denatured alcohol and dry the brush with a lint free paper towel. Carefully apply the finish to the guide wraps, particularly around the guide feet to get finish into the tunnel of the guide foot. Also, carefully apply the finish around the leading edge of the wraps. When you have applied the finish to all the guide wraps, and while the rod is turning, squeeze out the brush with a lint free paper towel and wick away any excess finish on the guide wraps. You are attempting to seal the thread wraps. Let the rod rotate for 12 hours until the finish is tack free. If you inadvertently get some finish on some other areas of the blank, clean it off with alcohol and a paper towel.
Apply a second coat of finish in the same manner, wicking off any excess finish, and let the rod rotate overnight. Check the wraps for any lumps or bumps in the finish. Using a new single edge razor blade, or 600 grit sandpaper, and either cut away or sand away the lumps and bumps.
Tack off the wraps again and apply a third cost of finish full strength without any thinners. As the rod is turning, take an alcohol lamp and gently pass the alcohol lamp back and forth under the guide wraps, holding the lamp about 6 inches under the wraps.
This will warm the finish and break the surface tension to release any remaining bubbles in the finish. Let the rod rotate overnight.
The next day glue on your butt cap and put the rod away in a cool dark place for at least a week to let the finish fully cure. Now go catch a doormat fluke.
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