Folks,
It seems of late I'm having considerable difficulty getting my epoxy to spread or smooth out evenly over the blanks' label. It's drying with "waves". The blank seems to be rotating evenly, so I don't think that's it. I'm using flex coat LITE which has usually work well for me in the past. I'm building a couple of TFOs, so their long labeling isn't helping. Any insights would be most appreciated. Thanks, Dave

You have too much finish. Once you apply it, get it as even as you can then stop your turner to let the excess build up and drip off the bottom, drawing a card across it to take off the majority if the drips. Then turn your rod halfway and let the finish even out. If it starts to drip, there's still too much, repeat the procedure. Then proceed as normal.

I had the same problem for the longest time. What I try is brushing long, lengthwise strokes over the decal, but again, be very meager with the epoxy. Long, slow and even.

After its applied, I take a little bit of heat to even it out, or try the flipping with the card to remove the excess.

Dave,

Is the label a Peel & Stick or a waterslide that was supplied with your blank? The waterslide "film" measures approx. .ooo5" of an inch when dry and the peel and stick labels are somewhat thicker. Minimal finger print handling should be utilized for any type of decal - contamination! Don't spray the decal or decal area with any foreign spray or fixative - it's just another layer that form that must be adhered to on BOTH sides.

You want the first layer of epoxy on super clean rod blank - apply the decal on epoxied area - then epoxy over decal and decal area - nothing else!!! - not even finger prints.

If the labels are properly dried and flat before the application of the epoxy, a small amount of wrinkling of the epoxy is fine. Wrinkling of the decal is not fine. I have had this issue happen to me on every occasion and I just let it cure normally and the next day I check for and remove small specks of fuzzbunny litter or any other micro debris that decided to start homesteadin' in my finish and I just apply another coat of finish. You will never get the PROPER finish in a one coat application no matter who's finish you use; so don't try to win that battle.

My first application of epoxy over a decal area is after I have applied finish to several guides and have allowed the finish to thicken a bit. The next coats of finish the decals will see are immediately after I have mixed a new batch of epoxy on the following days.

If you like you can apply a SMALL amount of heat to allow the finish to flow but a nice even finish will take time. Notice I said HEAT and not FLAME.

You can't rush high quality!!!


Good luck and enjoy.

Charlie

When I get a wavy finish I try to even it out before applying more finish. I use a very fine file or sanding board that is wide enough to straddle the tops of two waves. Wear away the wave peaks until you are nearly down to the valley. Then proceed as the others have stated above.

Thanks for all of your great suggestions...Time to get these rods finished in order to get them wet and wild with big trout. Tight lines to all of you. David