Sockeye guy 0 Report post Posted February 25, 2012 I was planning on tying up some salmon flies this weekend but my cement is no where to be found. I dont have any place within 50 miles that sells head cement so i was wondering how nail polish like "hard as nails" would work. Any thoughts? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
utyer 0 Report post Posted February 25, 2012 Hundreds (if not thousands,) of tiers use Sally Hansens Hard As Nails. I use it as well as several other CHEAP brands. It works just fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaydub 0 Report post Posted February 25, 2012 IMHO, Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails is better than most fly tying head cements for glossy heads on larger flies. Use several coats. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chase Creek 0 Report post Posted February 25, 2012 I think Sally would be AMAZED to find out she has a niche market with tiers. But don't tell her, or prices will go up! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tidewaterfly 0 Report post Posted February 25, 2012 I saw your post about this on another site & responded with my input. Go with the Sally Hansen's, it's great for this purpose! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
perchjerker 0 Report post Posted February 25, 2012 As A.K. Best suggests, I use Lacquer; to be specific, "DEFT" Clear Gloss Woodfinish. It is a lacquer that I also use on my woodwork. I have used it for a couple of decades, and see no reason to switch to anything else. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
milo3 0 Report post Posted August 4, 2012 How long does it take to dry ? I have just tried Wapsi head cement which dries white, in fact they sent me a new bottle it also dries white, one thing good is the squeeze bottle with needle tip, now if I just had something to put in it.Any help for me ??? Thanks my friend, milo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dazzyd 0 Report post Posted August 6, 2012 How long does it take to dry ? I have just tried Wapsi head cement which dries white, in fact they sent me a new bottle it also dries white, one thing good is the squeeze bottle with needle tip, now if I just had something to put in it.Any help for me ??? Thanks my friend, milo  Milo  Sally Hansens can take a little while to dry if your fly has a large head and you want a really nice finish - touch dry in 10mins or so depending on how thick a coating you put on...  If you dilute it with Acetone (NEVER use nail varnish remover or thinners - SH goes cloudy) it will dry much quicker.  When I am trying streamer patterns I put several coats of really thin SH which soaks in and then a single coat of 50% diluted and when that is fully dry, a coat of undiluted SH which gives a nice smooth coat:)  On my usual "fishing" patterns, I rarely varnish the head - just one or two 4-turn whip finishes is usually sufficient:)  Darrell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
milo3 0 Report post Posted August 6, 2012 How long does it take to dry ? I have just tried Wapsi head cement which dries white, in fact they sent me a new bottle it also dries white, one thing good is the squeeze bottle with needle tip, now if I just had something to put in it.Any help for me ??? Thanks my friend, milo  Milo  Sally Hansens can take a little while to dry if your fly has a large head and you want a really nice finish - touch dry in 10mins or so depending on how thick a coating you put on...  If you dilute it with Acetone (NEVER use nail varnish remover or thinners - SH goes cloudy) it will dry much quicker.  When I am trying streamer patterns I put several coats of really thin SH which soaks in and then a single coat of 50% diluted and when that is fully dry, a coat of undiluted SH which gives a nice smooth coat:)  On my usual "fishing" patterns, I rarely varnish the head - just one or two 4-turn whip finishes is usually sufficient:)  Darrell Thanks Darrell,are you saying you can thin with acetone, not sure if I do that, but just a thought ! milo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
perchjerker 0 Report post Posted August 6, 2012 If you are asking about drying time for the lacquer, it depends upon how thick it is, but typically less that 15 minutes for 'dry-to-touch'. It is thinned with regular Lacquer Thinner. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
milo3 0 Report post Posted August 7, 2012 If you are asking about drying time for the lacquer, it depends upon how thick it is, but typically less that 15 minutes for 'dry-to-touch'. It is thinned with regular Lacquer Thinner. Thanks, I got Sally yesterday, it does great, some later on I'm going to try lacquer. many thanks, milo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sandflyx 0 Report post Posted August 7, 2012 Sally makes a top coat one that dries within seconds, really nice shine as well.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lykos33 0 Report post Posted August 7, 2012 Believe it or not I use Gorilla Super Glue. It dries fast (it is super glue after all), penetrates the thread very well, and leaves a shiny head. A bottle (.71 oz.) lasts forever and it is relatively inexpensive. I apply mine with a guitar string (high e) inserted into a 1/8 inch brass tube and glued into a lure to prevent rolling and/or loss... Murray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites