One question, how long does it take for the stuff to dry?

 

Hootie

Mine seemed to dry in an hour or 2,maybe less. You only apply a thin coat. 

 

I also left mine overnight..actually days before I even used them if it matters. Only replying again as the others mentioned about giving it a night. 

Edited May 23, 201313 yr by MarkH024

I leave it overnight, and mess with it in the morning.

I leave it overnight, and mess with it in the morning.

 

X2

 

A-Jay

I leave it overnight, and mess with it in the morning.

x3

I leave it overnight, and mess with it in the morning.

 

?? What do you mean by "mess with it in the morning"???

 

My rods are clean and the U-40 is on its way, so is there anything we need to know before putting it on??

?? What do you mean by "mess with it in the morning"???

My rods are clean and the U-40 is on its way, so is there anything we need to know before putting it on??

What I do is clean it with Magic eraser, then fill the cracks with wood putty. Sand it with 220, then apply cork sealer. Leave it dry overnight, then lightly sand it again. I get a clean and smooth look everytime.

Okay guys, I coated 5 rod handles at 1:00pm, it is now 4:25pm and everything is dry. Wont be using them till Saturday anyway.

Hootie

Best way is just to brush on with an acid/flux style brush I take it?  Getting ready to do this to a few new rods, but have never applied it before.  I saw one video with a guy applying on using a rod blank spinning/lathe type device, but I don't have anything like that, just going to brush it on by hand.

Best way is just to brush on with an acid/flux style brush I take it?  Getting ready to do this to a few new rods, but have never applied it before.  I saw one video with a guy applying on using a rod blank spinning/lathe type device, but I don't have anything like that, just going to brush it on by hand.

 

 

That is exactly how I did it, flux brush, and just turned it around by hand. Like everyone said though, keep turning it and checking for runs.

Just brush them out while they are still wet.

 

Hootie

I just did a new rod with U-40 and used a woodworking technique where I rubbed it on using a soft cotton cloth pad.  (think old T-shirt)  I had better control on how much was applied and did not have any runs.

 

BTW, I want to thank everyone on the tip about the Magic eraser, I leaned something new; and my wife is going nuts with them.

I used one of the throwaway brushes that you can get at Harbor Freight on the cheap for a box of them, not good deal brushes but work well for U-40 just check for stray brush hairs. 

 

The first handle I did in the morning and fished it that evening, it set out in the sun most of that time. 

 

Later I did all my cork handles after cleaning then with a magic eraser, they dried overnight before use. 

I use once each year, at the start of the season, after I clean the corks with Magic Erasers. When the cork is thoroughly dry, I just wet a piece of paper towel with U-40 and coat the cork. Dries in a couple of hours at most. Great stuff.

I used one of the throwaway brushes that you can get at Harbor Freight on the cheap for a box of them, not good deal brushes but work well for U-40 just check for stray brush hairs. 

 

The first handle I did in the morning and fished it that evening, it set out in the sun most of that time. 

 

Later I did all my cork handles after cleaning then with a magic eraser, they dried overnight before use. 

 

I've used utility brushes for many years, they're best applying pasts or cream style materials such a flux or strippers.  As you noted they have a tendency to loose hairs, and therefore are not generally used on finish work.

 

IMHO, Crestliner hit the nail on the head for a good, yet inexpensive, U-40 applicator that should not leave unwanted trash behind.

Might try one of those little foam brushes next time, they should work well.