Has anyone put a clear coat on their TD Ito?

[SSS]

I've used a few of the Ito's and loved them, but never got one for myself because of the paint being so easy to scratch/chip. So i was thinking of finding myself one in great cosmetic condition and apply a clear coat on the frame/side plates to protect the paint. Has anyone done this? How does it look afterwards?

[Winstondry]

I haven't tried clear coat but I do use 3M clear bra on my saltwater reels (Talica, Trinidads, Ocea Conquests) as well as on all my rods both SW and FW. I start right below the OEM hook keepers to prevent trebles or plastics from marring the clear coat on the blanks. I only put about .5" x 6" so it doesn't really add any weight and you can't really tell it's even on there if you apply it correctly.

[DanD]

A few years ago I had the same idea. I tried it on the left sideplate on a RH ito. It looked good, but it started peeling pretty quickly to where I eventually just rubbed the rest off. I'm not a painter and just sprayed it on with no prep work, so maybe that's why it peeled.

[SSS]

A few years ago I had the same idea. I tried it on the left sideplate on a RH ito. It looked good, but it started peeling pretty quickly to where I eventually just rubbed the rest off. I'm not a painter and just sprayed it on with no prep work, so maybe that's why it peeled.

other than cleaning the side plate with rubbing alcohol, i don't even see how could you prep it. Not like you're gonna sand an Ito.

[Moosehead]

I would imagine you would have to prep, paint and then clear...

[SSS]

I would imagine you would have to prep, paint and then clear...

what i wanted to do is to protect the original paint, not repaint the whole reel. So it may be a bad idea i don't know.

[Moosehead]

I have a friend that fishes hard with his TD-Zs and they all look brand new. He uses a spray called plasti dip. on key parts to his outside of his reels and peels it off afterwards. I don't know how it works but it seems to work for him.