White rod blank

[Handcrafter]

Got my red Avet MX today. I would like to find a white blank like a Calstar 270L 7' or simular. The reel is spooled with 300 yds of braid w/120 yds of #25 topshot. Any suggestions where I could find a white blank, I want to do a red, white and blue design for it. I plan on getting some red abalone, or maybe some of that blue from Flatliner. Any help would be appreciated.....Lynn

[FLATLINER]

Standing by on the Ab. I would check with Billy V for the blank. I think he has hercules blanks in white, but I am not sure.

Kevin

[Handcrafter]

Thanks Kevin, I have decided to try painting a blank. I have been told that it works and I will try using the fusion paint. I have decided to go with a red blank w/white underwrap and a royal blue top wrap. I am thinking about some white abalone, is that possible?? It sound like it would set the red avet reel off nice, but that is me.....Lynn

[clt_capt]

There are a couple of styles of abalone available in white...

You may want to mask the blank and paint the section where the abalone will be white - so that the red doesn't bleed through... That happened on a rod I built - Custom color on the blank and a very light pink abalone - I didn't paint all the way under where the shell was going - it gave an "interesting" effect. Luckily my client was very happy with the look...

[FLATLINER]

Thanks Kevin, I have decided to try painting a blank. I have been told that it works and I will try using the fusion paint. I have decided to go with a red blank w/white underwrap and a royal blue top wrap. I am thinking about some white abalone, is that possible?? It sound like it would set the red avet reel off nice, but that is me.....Lynn

Is that the Krylon Fusion paint? If so, I will be interested in hearing about your success. I used some on a red blank and it turned out so poorly that I had to trash the blank and start over. It looked OK and when I let it dry for 3 days, I was ready to build. Once finish hit the blank and the paint, it went lose again and looked terrible.

I have a guy that paints my blanks for me as uses paint for the aircraft industry. They turn out wonderful and from what he tells me, its easy to do. I am not exactly sure what he uses, but I know its applied with a paint sprayer.

Good luck. Oh, on painting under the Ab, thats not necessary. I can get the AB with a white back that keeps the bark blank from coming thru the veneer.

Kevin

[Handcrafter]

thanks for the tip. I think that I will try it on a old blank and put some finish on it to see how it works. The aircraft paint might be a epoxy paint, I was around the aircraft overhaul place for awhile and that is what they used. I'll check it out and get back to you....Lynn

[FLATLINER]

thanks for the tip. I think that I will try it on a old blank and put some finish on it to see how it works. The aircraft paint might be a epoxy paint, I was around the aircraft overhaul place for awhile and that is what they used. I'll check it out and get back to you....Lynn

He uses a polyeurothane. I don't remember the name, but I know that the cost of the paints was prohibitive for me doing it myself. Its rather expensive.

K

[54bullwinkle]

I have been painting blanks for 15 years.

I use Awlgrip, applied by brush on a drying motor.
I used to epoxy prime them, but I dont any more and have not had any problems. Finishes are perfect.

Best paints are two part products like Awlgrip, Awlcraft (aircraft paint), Sterling, and 2 part automotive paints.

I finish the wraps with 2 part enamel as well......Never yellow.

[FLATLINER]

I have been painting blanks for 15 years.

I use Awlgrip, applied by brush on a drying motor.
I used to epoxy prime them, but I dont any more and have not had any problems. Finishes are perfect.

Best paints are two part products like Awlgrip, Awlcraft (aircraft paint), Sterling, and 2 part automotive paints.

I finish the wraps with 2 part enamel as well......Never yellow.

Great info! Thanks for the tip!!