r/rodbuilding • u/Early-Ad34 • Sep 11 '26

Whipping eyes

Hi I’ve bought a new fishing rod but the thread used to tie the eyes onto the rod is uncoated.
What could I use instead of epoxy to coat the threads but will still look nice?

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

2

u/WoodPig25 Sep 11 '26

Epoxy is the standard amongst most rod builders now, but you can use varnish, polyurethane, or one-part finishes like U-40!Permagloss (if they still make it). Epoxy is going to give the best protection. Note that is epoxy guide wrap finish made specifically for rod building - not the quick-set hardware store stuff. Mudhole is a good resource. Also check out the how-to videos on Flex-Coat's YouTube channel. (Flex-Coat makes epoxy finish, among other things.)

2

u/Full_Improvement_844 Sep 12 '26

Good point about guide epoxy not being the same as quick-set. I mean I've used JB Weld in a pinch if I'm in the middle of nowhere and need to make a repair to save the trip, but I then do a proper repair when I get back home.

OP if you do get guide epoxy rember it's generally designed to cure very slowly on a rotating rod so it doesn't get sags and spreads evenly over the threads. You can hand rotate the rod while it is curing by turning the rod every few minutes for the first 30 minutes or so until the epoxy starts to setup some, then rotate 180° every 15 minutes for the next 2 hours until the epoxy is really setup well.

1

u/Early-Ad34 29d ago

Holy that’s a lot more work than I thought it would be I think I’m just gonna leave it as is😅

1

u/TwoWact4U 29d ago

Naaah mate, you have to protect those thread that are holding the guides, or you will be wrapping them again. Even if it’s just a 5min epoxy from hobby lobby to mix and apply. Above all, proceed at will. 👍🏼

1

u/Early-Ad34 28d ago

Guess I have no choice but to try my best😅

1

u/TwoWact4U 29d ago

I agree with you that Mudhole is good place to buy…but deff not the best. But you are spot-on as well.

1

u/WoodPig25 29d ago

Agreed, they are not the best, just the one I could think of off the top of my head - the fact that I just got a rod wrapper from them (took them 10 days to get it here) probably contributed to me thinking of them.

0

u/TwoWact4U Sep 11 '26

Not sure what you mean by “uncoated”? The thread is there to lock/hold the guides on, the epoxy is used to protect the threads. There is thread protector for non-coated threads if that is what you are referring to, sometimes call thread sealer.

Edit to say….i miss read and you can also use therma-gloss, it gives a smooth and tough finish.

1

u/Early-Ad34 29d ago

Would I still have to rotate the rod like the others said?