photo by Loudog99 |
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 RCream |
Ace Spar Varnish |
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Guide
Posts: 90 (03/01/09 10:39:15) |
Hi, just a quick question to those who have used Ace... I just bought a can yesterday that says clear gloss, and when I got home I noticed that it also says
"adds a rich amber glow" and "not recommended for use over painted surfaces since the amber cast will affect the color" So did I buy the
wrong one, or is this one good? It was the only Ace brand spar I saw. Thanks.
-RC |
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jgestar |
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Posts: 3382 (03/01/09 11:23:14) ezOP |
That's the stuff. All spar varnish has a slight amber cast. It comes from the resins used to make a waterproof film. Helmsman Spar Urethane also has an
amber cast. If you haven't built up the rod yet, throw a few thread wraps around the butt where the grip and reelseat will be. Then put on a couple
layers of varnish and see what you think.
If you are planning on wrapping with very light, pastel like colors, the spar varnish may add too much color to the wrap (in this same situation, you have to worry about the blank color showing through the wraps, even if you use color preservative). But if you are using darker colors or earth tones, the amber cast gives a nice look. The products that dry clear are acrylics, such as the Gudebrod Rod Varnish and epoxies. Tom |
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RCream |
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Guide
Posts: 91 (03/01/09 11:40:00) |
Thanks very much Tom, that's pretty much what I figured. I've used Helmsman before and remember it came out amber.
-RC |
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davelrods |
Gosh, I've used a whole bunch of different brands of varnish. | ||
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Master Guide
Posts: 289 (03/05/09 23:57:02) |
Seems like they all have an amber hue to them. I don't think it makes much difference unless you are varnishing a white blank. I don't think there is
anything white around any more. I'm sure all of us have seen what old varnish looks like on Wonderods, maybe that is why there aren't any white rods
any more. Ace spar is quite dark, though. There are others that are lighter. You might want to do some looking around.
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ratfacedmcdougal |
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Master Guide
Posts: 272 (03/06/09 12:35:27) |
If you get away from store brand spar and into name brand the price goes up considerable. For the clearest of name brand that I've come across in the
boatyard is Epiphane Clear Coat. Not cheap by any means and not what you would really call clear. I wrapped and varnished one rod with the Clear coat and put
the final coat with Epiphane Matte. I loved the way it dulled down the gloss. I'm pretty fortunate that I don't have to purchase the varnishes I use
and get to try many different brands. Petitte Flagship is what I mainly use. High Gloss and very durable.
RFMcD |
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wb4tjh |
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Master Guide
Posts: 315 (03/07/09 13:01:33) |
A lot of professional bamboo rod makers use ACE spar, not just on wraps, but to finish the entire rod. I bought it on the recommendation of one of them, and I
now use the stuff for all my rod wraps, bamboo, glass or graphite.
Bill Anderson, Sarsota, Fl. "Bamboo is the Benchmark in flyrods". |
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