Powder Coated Stainless Guides FAQ's
Q: Will the powder coat chip or peel?
A: Powder coating is ultimately that - a coating and it is possible depending on use and care for it to chip. However, use primarily use "candy clear" powder coats and prep the guides, along with using recommended application and curing techniques and we've found this to result in a very resilient, durable coating which stands up to quite a bit of abuse. We do recommend that you clean / rise your rod and guides after use in saltwater, and not be overly abusive with them in terms of impacts, but feel you will be pleased with the service you'll receive.
Q: What if I want a different color you do not offer?
A: There are hundreds if not thousands of powder coat color options. We primary use candy clear powders over the polished guides, though we can, for an additional fee, us solid color powders. We stock a range of colors we find to be most requested - but if you have a unique request we will bring in the powder for your use, however the cost of that powder would be added to your total. Typical costs are $15-$35 plus shipping.
Q: Are the colors always the same & consistent across a set, or from set to set?
A: Due to the nature of the material and the process, there can be some slight variations in the color and/or hue across parts or sizes - though we take all possible steps to match a set as close as absolutely possible across the range of parts - we accomplish this by anodizing each part one at a time, comparing to the "control" part - and adjusting the process along the way as needed. No bulk anodizing of lots of parts at once.... we work hard to ensure as perfect a set as possible. Some vendors parts are more highly polished when they come to us and thus the output is a more reflective surface, where other vendors are not quite as polished and the outcome is a bit more "matte" in nature.
Q: Can I shape/grind the feet after receiving them?
A: While you can certainly shape the feet before wrapping, grinding/shaping the feet of the guides will remove the powder coat on the metal If you wish to shape the feet, then we will recommend you use solid color thread to cover the area where the color has been removed. However, we realize that some of you may wish to either wrap the feet in translucent silk so that the maximum amount of color on the guide is seen, or that you may be using a light colored thread that will go semi-translucent when epoxied, and perhaps show the contrast vs. the guide color. In these situations we offer a guide foot prep service for an additional cost where we can pre-shape the feet of the guide if you desire, or you may procure the guides on your own, and ship to us for a coloring fee.
Q: Do you offer powder coated titanium guides?
A: We can certainly powder coat titanium guides - due to the price point we have not added this as a standard order able offering on the website, but if you are interested in this - such as to get red colored titanium guides, reach out to us for a special order - pricing will be the same as the titanium anodized guides.
Q: I have a wholesale account with the guide manufacturer - can I send you the guides for processing?
A: For rod builder businesses with commercial wholesale accounts with guide manufactures, we do allow you to ship the guides to us for processing. Cost is based on the number of guides, staring at $75 for a set of up to 10 guides (additional $5 per guide beyond 10), and $10 for a tip-top, with return shipping/insurance paid by the buyer. We work to provide a competitive price for the product and depending on your wholesale level it may be just as cost effective to purchase directly through us when you factor in shipping your guides to us.
Q: How long will it take to get my guides once ordered?
A: We maintain stock of Alps parts on-hand, but due to the due to the sheer number of styles, sizes & costs of the parts we place orders for other styles to our vendors at least twice a month - typically on the 1st and 15th - or, if there is sufficient order volume to allow us to meet minimums, perhaps more frequent. As long as the parts are in stock, we will recent them generally within 5 days of ordering. Then within 3-5 business days we will process the order and have it out the door on the way to you.
Q: What shipping methods do you use?
A: Our standard shipping is via USPS 1st Class for most orders as the light weight of the titanium allows us to ship the package under 1 lb. For bulk orders we would typically ship USPS Priority Mail. For international shipments we will work with you to determine the most cost effective shipping option.
Q: How should I clean the powder coated guides?
A: Any cleaner meant for cleaning rod/reel parts should be safe for cleaning the anodized guides, just just a soft cloth for washing & drying. Windex, mild soap or such are also all good choices.
Q: Can you powder coat Fuji, American Tackle or other guides?
A: We have developed a custom masking system which is specifically sized and designed for the rings on the various Alps guides - as such our primary offering will be Alps parts. However we can powder coat other vendor parts, there will just be an additional service fee for the one-off masking required for these guides. We do recommend polished stainless/chrome guides, though the Fuji CC Silver finish will produce a nice result - though with a bit of a "frosted" look in comparison.
Q: Can you color American Tackle MicroWave guides?
A: Yes - we have developed a custom masking system which allows us to mask the rings on the Microwave stripped guide while still coloring the overall frame.
Q: Do you powder coat snake guides for fly rods?
A: At this time we are not powder coating snake guides due to concern of abrasion against the powder coating over time from the line.
Q: Can you color winding checks, reel seats, roller guides or other components?
A: We can powder coat items like winding checks - the styles will smooth transitions work better than those with "dimples", but both are possible and results can vary depending on the colors used. We can powder coat most aluminum roller guides as long as the rollers can be removed from the component. Contact us to discuss specifics.
Q: Do you sell the guides uncolored?
A: No, please reach out to one of the many great distributors of Alps, American Tackle, Fuji or SeaGuide for those needs.
A: Powder coating is ultimately that - a coating and it is possible depending on use and care for it to chip. However, use primarily use "candy clear" powder coats and prep the guides, along with using recommended application and curing techniques and we've found this to result in a very resilient, durable coating which stands up to quite a bit of abuse. We do recommend that you clean / rise your rod and guides after use in saltwater, and not be overly abusive with them in terms of impacts, but feel you will be pleased with the service you'll receive.
Q: What if I want a different color you do not offer?
A: There are hundreds if not thousands of powder coat color options. We primary use candy clear powders over the polished guides, though we can, for an additional fee, us solid color powders. We stock a range of colors we find to be most requested - but if you have a unique request we will bring in the powder for your use, however the cost of that powder would be added to your total. Typical costs are $15-$35 plus shipping.
Q: Are the colors always the same & consistent across a set, or from set to set?
A: Due to the nature of the material and the process, there can be some slight variations in the color and/or hue across parts or sizes - though we take all possible steps to match a set as close as absolutely possible across the range of parts - we accomplish this by anodizing each part one at a time, comparing to the "control" part - and adjusting the process along the way as needed. No bulk anodizing of lots of parts at once.... we work hard to ensure as perfect a set as possible. Some vendors parts are more highly polished when they come to us and thus the output is a more reflective surface, where other vendors are not quite as polished and the outcome is a bit more "matte" in nature.
Q: Can I shape/grind the feet after receiving them?
A: While you can certainly shape the feet before wrapping, grinding/shaping the feet of the guides will remove the powder coat on the metal If you wish to shape the feet, then we will recommend you use solid color thread to cover the area where the color has been removed. However, we realize that some of you may wish to either wrap the feet in translucent silk so that the maximum amount of color on the guide is seen, or that you may be using a light colored thread that will go semi-translucent when epoxied, and perhaps show the contrast vs. the guide color. In these situations we offer a guide foot prep service for an additional cost where we can pre-shape the feet of the guide if you desire, or you may procure the guides on your own, and ship to us for a coloring fee.
Q: Do you offer powder coated titanium guides?
A: We can certainly powder coat titanium guides - due to the price point we have not added this as a standard order able offering on the website, but if you are interested in this - such as to get red colored titanium guides, reach out to us for a special order - pricing will be the same as the titanium anodized guides.
Q: I have a wholesale account with the guide manufacturer - can I send you the guides for processing?
A: For rod builder businesses with commercial wholesale accounts with guide manufactures, we do allow you to ship the guides to us for processing. Cost is based on the number of guides, staring at $75 for a set of up to 10 guides (additional $5 per guide beyond 10), and $10 for a tip-top, with return shipping/insurance paid by the buyer. We work to provide a competitive price for the product and depending on your wholesale level it may be just as cost effective to purchase directly through us when you factor in shipping your guides to us.
Q: How long will it take to get my guides once ordered?
A: We maintain stock of Alps parts on-hand, but due to the due to the sheer number of styles, sizes & costs of the parts we place orders for other styles to our vendors at least twice a month - typically on the 1st and 15th - or, if there is sufficient order volume to allow us to meet minimums, perhaps more frequent. As long as the parts are in stock, we will recent them generally within 5 days of ordering. Then within 3-5 business days we will process the order and have it out the door on the way to you.
Q: What shipping methods do you use?
A: Our standard shipping is via USPS 1st Class for most orders as the light weight of the titanium allows us to ship the package under 1 lb. For bulk orders we would typically ship USPS Priority Mail. For international shipments we will work with you to determine the most cost effective shipping option.
Q: How should I clean the powder coated guides?
A: Any cleaner meant for cleaning rod/reel parts should be safe for cleaning the anodized guides, just just a soft cloth for washing & drying. Windex, mild soap or such are also all good choices.
Q: Can you powder coat Fuji, American Tackle or other guides?
A: We have developed a custom masking system which is specifically sized and designed for the rings on the various Alps guides - as such our primary offering will be Alps parts. However we can powder coat other vendor parts, there will just be an additional service fee for the one-off masking required for these guides. We do recommend polished stainless/chrome guides, though the Fuji CC Silver finish will produce a nice result - though with a bit of a "frosted" look in comparison.
Q: Can you color American Tackle MicroWave guides?
A: Yes - we have developed a custom masking system which allows us to mask the rings on the Microwave stripped guide while still coloring the overall frame.
Q: Do you powder coat snake guides for fly rods?
A: At this time we are not powder coating snake guides due to concern of abrasion against the powder coating over time from the line.
Q: Can you color winding checks, reel seats, roller guides or other components?
A: We can powder coat items like winding checks - the styles will smooth transitions work better than those with "dimples", but both are possible and results can vary depending on the colors used. We can powder coat most aluminum roller guides as long as the rollers can be removed from the component. Contact us to discuss specifics.
Q: Do you sell the guides uncolored?
A: No, please reach out to one of the many great distributors of Alps, American Tackle, Fuji or SeaGuide for those needs.