Thread Cements

Looking for a very tough, penetrating thread cement for bass, striper, and saltwater jigs and flies. Is there one available? All I've used either A) dry up in the bottle or B) don't soak in and if you cut the top layer of thread the rest is dry...

I've been using super glue liquid and it's awesome. Penetrates all the way, incredibly strong, just turns a pasty white sometimes if you get it on a jighead for example.

Odor free is a big plus!

Smooth I make my own using Lacquer and MEK. I mix about 50/50 so it soaks in fast and dries super fast since I use MEK thinner. Also you could try some of the UV glue out there now as they have a thin version that should penetrate very well, but it's costly. I do have a friend that is a Pro tier and does a lot of big saltwater flies. I will ask him what he uses for you and get back, but may take a little time. He's on the Whiting Pro Team.

Skip

Thanks bud. Just any regular clear lacquer?

Pretty much, I just went to Lowe's and got a qt of high clear gloss lacquer and a qt of MEK probably 10 years ago and still am using the same ones with lots left!

Skip

Oh and forgot to say, I just keep a small bottle of each ready and I mix it in one of the little plastic bottles with the metal tip. I like it thin so it soaks in fast and dries fast!

Oh I see that I said alcohol in that first post and should have been MEK! Sorry about that and will fix it now!
Skip

Thanks! I have one of those little applicator bottles I'd like to use. Would be very convenient. I had to pull rock hard pieces of dried cement out of it from the old stuff they sold in it...

two part epoxy dries clear,hard,and glossy.They have a slow set if you prefer that. I also use it to coat rod guide thread when repairing lost guides.

I tie mostly saltwater jigs and have used many products for head cement. Most are a PITA. Only one is simple, effective, durable and inexpensive.
Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Hardener - clear.
A few tips:
A fresh bottle will penetrate very well but don't throw away the thickened bottle as it is great for sealing / coating threads. I usually use both when tying large heads.
Cut or shorten the brush in half and it will be more manageable.
Use a Wapsi applicator bottle for fine work.
Thin with a few drops of acetone if needed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by barefoot

I tie mostly saltwater jigs and have used many products for head cement. Most are a PITA. Only one is simple, effective, durable and inexpensive.
Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Hardener - clear.
A few tips:
A fresh bottle will penetrate very well but don't throw away the thickened bottle as it is great for sealing / coating threads. I usually use both when tying large heads.
Cut or shorten the brush in half and it will be more manageable.
Use a Wapsi applicator bottle for fine work.
Thin with a few drops of acetone if needed.

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I have a couple on hand. Might have to try it. I used to avoid it because of the smell that lingered past when it dried.

Just a little FYI here..........Fingernail Polish = Lacquer! It's all the same thing!

Skip

I am a fan of most all lacquer based head cements which also can be thinned as needed - Wapsi is what I have used for decades. I also like spar varnish. I have always been against super glues, though they penetrate well they cause the thread and other materials to be brittle (IMHO).

I use clear lacquer like skip I think I've had a can of that stuff for many years and it's still going I only use a toothpick to put behind the head of the jig.