Before I used FC High Build I had used acrylic car clear coat. Yesterday, I tried to use FC High Build for the first time. I saw FC video how to use it, but when I applied FC it was too stiff and had problems with bubbles. I preheat it in hot water and put mixture on aluminium foil as shown in the video. What do you think? Is my mistake in preheating? Or should I use another finish?I don´t know what happend.

If it starts to thicken before you are done, don't try to complete the rod with your first batch. Mix up another batch to complete the rod.

I use a straw to blow on the mixture before and after I have applied the finish. It's amazing how many of the bubbles will instantly pop when hit by a small blast of air.

The problems is imediately when I prepare mixture - thick (like honey) and bubbles. Something is possible to correct by cigarete lighter, but not all

Most likely you are using too much preheat. Don't heat it much above room temperature. 75 degrees F is plenty. Anything above that temperature and it will set up and thicken quicker as the heat increases. I know that many are skilled in using additional heat such as flame to thin epoxy once it is applied to help even it. I have completed about 70 rods however and never found this necessary to obtain a good finish. Any additional heat beyond what is necessary to mix and apply it well accelerates cure time and makes it difficult to eliminate bubbles. Excessive heat can create bubbles as well.

All rod building epoxys work well when mixed and applied properly so don't give up hope. Learn to mix and apply it as directed and it does a great job.

Trout Trainer - thanks for your advice. I hope that heat didn´t damage my stock finish. I put FC in hot water from water cock. Luckily, I finished wrap on the piece of carbon tube. It´s my third rod and i buld it for my friend. Hope, won´t screw it up.

The heat shouldn't bother the unmixed portions as they are very stable until mixed.

Living that close to Plzen and Budweis, you're going to get a head on just about anything you pour. Have another pivo and you'll feel better.

Scorpio,

I agree with the comments about preheating - you just need to get the two parts warm, not hot. If you don't have bubbles when you mix and pour out the mixture on the foil, then look at your application technique - it's real easy to trap bubbles in the finish if you brush it on. I've had much better success by applying the finish as the wrap is rotated, one band after another, until the wrap is covered - the bubbles seem to be worse when brushing sideways across the threads. Apply the finish fairly thickly, let it sag and wick off the excess with a piece of lint free paper such as a coffee filter, and use a small diameter straw to blow out the bubbles. Then, put it into your dryer (or rotate by hand) until the finish starts to set up - I think you'll have better success.