Jump to content
Fly Tying
Sign in to follow this  
Stippled Popper

Heat, Sun and Popper Protective Clear Coats

Recommended Posts

Some of you may have read Kirk Dietrich's review of fishing durability of several popper protective coatings such as a 30 minute epoxy(Bob Smith Industries), Fabric Fusion, and UV products in Fly Fishing & Tying Journal and posted at the "On The Vise" website which has now gone dark. For those who haven't seen Kirk's article, the 30 minute epoxy and Fabric Fusion held up best.

 

Here are images of four popper heads I left out on the dashboard of my car to see how the coatings I have on hand held up to heat and the sun. Sorry I haven't yet tried any of the UV products.

 

30MinEpoxy_zps0uoo8y5t.png

 

1.) The "E" popper was coated with Devcon 30 minute epoxy. It visibly yellowed in the cup where the epoxy was thickest but didn't crack. 30 minute epoxy will not yellow as quickly as the 5 minute variety. But it will eventually yellow even if the popper is kept in your tying room out of sunlight. The thicker the epoxy, the more the yellowing is apparent.

 

DeltaPolyVarnish_zps1xtzj31z.png

 

2.) The Brown bottomed popper head was coated with Delta Interior/Exterior Varnish(a polyurethane) it didn't yellow and cracked very little.

 

LoonHardHead_zpsoi5hggqx.png

 

3.) The "L" popper head was coated with Loon Hard Head(another polyurethane). It shows a lot of cracking along the edge of the cup and other places not visible in this image. On a few occasions I've had poppers coated with Loon Hard Head crack in the box I keep them in until I tie on the rubber legs and tail. Once I had a section of a popper's coating fall off taking the paint with it.

 

SallyHHAN_zpsvlctux8s.png

 

4.) The "S" popper was coated with Sally Hansen's Hard As Nails. It developed a blister in the cup.

 

I use 30 minute epoxy for most poppers. One coat is sufficient for my needs. I am now more careful about how thickly it is applied. The Delta poly is good but requires several coats. I recommend using a good quality brush when applying polyurethane. It isn't as self leveling as epoxy. Just be sure you promptly wash the brush in water.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

S. P., that's a good comparison! Great info too!

 

I've preferred the longer set time epoxies, at least 60 minute and have not had any cracking issues. I apply with a cheap hobby brush, and will thin with a drop or 2 of alcohol so application thickness has not been any problem. Yellowing has occurred, but not a big deal IMO, and with the longer set time epoxies it takes much longer to be noticeable.

 

I learned the hard way, long ago about putting nail polish over paints. However, once you find a paint that's compatible, it's a good method for a durable body. Of course, nail polish comes in many, many colors, so as long as the solvent in the nail polish doesn't eat your popper body (foams primarily), that too is a good alternative to "paint".

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This was a very creative testing approach Stippled, thanks for posting.

 

flytire, that is a great picture, a bummer for me tho, to learn UV resins also so lacking.

 

Guessing this is why my kayak mfgr warned about outdoor storage without a cover, if no place in the shade. Sun just eats up plastic stuff...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i wouldnt reject using uv resins because of one picture. i still use uv resins wherever i can

 

that failure could be attributed to many different things: the paint i used, the preparation of the surface, 2 coats vs 1 coat, low battery in my curing light etc

 

1 cracked popper in over 2 dozen isnt a total failure

 

i have many more poppers that need to be finished off with no signs of cracking

 

+ i dont store my poppers in direct sunlight on the dashboard of my car :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

that failure could be attributed to many different things: the paint i used, the preparation of the surface, 2 coats vs 1 coat, low battery in my curing light etc

... user brain fart ???smile.png

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Flytire, no way Am I giving up on UV resins. Have about $80 in fracking, flashlights alone :(

 

If you have not seen petegray's work over in the Salt topics, take a quick trip over there. It is freaking amazing, using resin to replace thread in some apps. Plus the photos are dazzling. Carry on, I learn from you about everyday. Chell can chill..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you are putting these on a rotisserie motor to dry then something like rod builders epoxy (Flexcoat) might slow down the yellow/amber effect and still provide the finish you are wanting. You don't see too many new rods where the thread wraps have yellowed.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest

Not sure about all the concern. The bodies gonna last a lot longer than feathers, rubber legs....none of them wont be somewhat effected by fly boxes and the elements. They won't last forever even in a shadow box hanging on the wall. I go thru bunches fishing and gotta replace regularly. Heck mine are considered "consumables"! Hangin around here they get better and lotta upgrading with all the ideas you fellars come up with so some end up in shadow boxes for the family as retired....some are refurbished if possible but very seldom....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've been working on the brittleness of UV cured resins for coating on poppers and such. I've developed a new thick coat soft flexible UV cured no-tack resin I call Flexthick UV Coat. It will NOT crack.

 

Don't know if I am going to market it yet because the materials are expensive and difficult to get. I can't make it in volume yet.

 

I have 2 bottles left if anyone is interested. PM me for details.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
Sign in to follow this  

×
×
  • Create New...