[John Powell]

ok
bought some Pearsall's Gossamer Silk

coated a test wrap with clear fly varnish .......didn't work, ;  stayed pure white...?
also with 20% acetone in 80% varnish ........nope

what do I need to buy..?
thanks

[Sandy Nelson]

what do I need to buy..?

Some magic invisible wrap solution 

 

Sandy

[John Powell]

Some magic invisible wrap solution  ............ ...Sandy..

I admit defeat - nothing makes them translucent

I bow to your expertise...........

[Rob Brownfield]

If you want completely translucent, use white gossamer silk. Coloured will always have a slight taint of colour through it.

I have used FlexCoat Lite "watered down" with Acetone. About a 50-50 mix for the first coat. The hardest part it to prevent bubbles getting between the foot and the thread. I read on a US forum that you can actually "suck" the air out with a piece of tubing. So far I have not tried that, relying on careful application from the edge of the wrap towards the guide itself.

Once dry, apply a coat of normal epoxy. I prefer Lite on a fly rod.

I have not done a lot (and Sandy is the master) as I actually hate this look, but the customer is always right

[John Powell]

If you want completely translucent, use white gossamer silk.
...........I have not done a lot (and Sandy is the master) as I actually hate this look, but the customer is always right ..

thanks
i did buy Pearsalls Gossamer Silk - but no luck
I bought the varnish from eBay - hmm - I'll try again with Vernards

it wasn't to add a guide but to reinforce a repair
.

.
thanks for the info

[John Powell]

???????????????/

dont understand why i canna include a pic in the post.??????????????????/

[Mike Barrio]

I can see your photo John

[John Powell]

I can see your photo John

I cannot..?

must be covered in Sandy's     ''..magic invisible wrap solution..''.....

[Mike Barrio]

This is what I am seeing, perhaps you need to refresh your page?
Cheers
Mike

[John Powell]

.

bingo - thanks.................

[Rob Brownfield]

Hmmmmm...I would not be using any form of fly tying varnish. It really is not suitable for what you are trying to do. Firstly, it is a hard varnish and will not flex. secondly, it will crack with age, thirdly, it will yellow with age.

I would recommend a proper rod building epoxy finish.

http://www.guidesnblanks.com/product_list/320

You might be able to get cheaper on ebay etc.  As I say, I use Flexcoat Lite but I have also used Rod dancer Threadmaster. They also do a non mix coating as well, although I am not sure how that would take to thinning.

[John Powell]

..I would recommend a proper rod building epoxy finish......................

thanks
I recently ordered  Rod Dancer Threadmaster ONE. (a 1part epoxy)

[Mike Thornton]

In 1965 I participated in a cane rod making class at Esslemont  School, Ellon.  It was sponsored by Sharpes of Aberdeen, and the tutor was one of their rod makers.  You started with the rough cane blanks and finished up with the rod of your choice, built to Sharpes specifications,  As a matter of interest, which may be relevant to the current debate, the rods were finished with a few coats of good quality yacht varnish, applied very lightly with a fingertip.   How things have changed !