I prefer dipping over spraying because I like a thicker coat. To do the whole rod, maybe alternate coats?

I've been doing alternate coats already because I've been laying the rod down and doing one side at a time. I've looked at the rod properly for the first time just a few minutes ago, and the spraying has come out very uneven.

Maybe a bit of practice is needed first! :P

There is a product that is used to cover wires that is like "shrink wrap" that you could use on your wire. It is a tube of rubber that you slide over the wires and then you use a heat gun or hair dryer to shrink the rubber tube around the wires to make them a single "unit".  You could use that on your coat hanger  and then use the dip version of Tool/Pasti Dip to cover the wood handle.  You could also get a larger tube of the shrink rubber to cover the wood handle if you wanted to. Wish I could remember the name of this stuff but it escapes me at the moment. 

I totally forgot about that Shawn. 

I know you can get it at places that sell remote control planes and boats professionally.  What I mean is a hobby shop.  I got some there.  I am trying to find the stuff that has no name on it since some of them have a name that can show on the finale product.  It hasn't been easy.  You would need a heat gun to make it work properly.  I think it is simply called "Shrink Tubing."  As I remember it was a simple name.

Daryl H

Thanks guys. I'll have a look for it something similar.

Heat guns.... can you post a link to one, I'm not sure I know what you mean.

I had a look around at what other people are selling in terms of rods for puppets, and it seems a number of them are either painted or given a rubber coating (probably Plastidip).

Taking a second look at my rods, I think what I'll do is make doubly sure to file off the end of the rod so it's not sharp, and have another go at spraying them. If they turn out badly, I will definitely look for another method, and just find a way to cap the tip of the rod.

Unfortunately, when testing the rod by inserting it into the tube on the shadow puppet, I may have pulled off some of the Plastidip. So I may also need to ensure the correct thickness is there, or buy some wider tubing.

You can find heat guns in the tools section of your local DYI store.  I have one that we bought to help loosen the contact cement that held our countertop laminate down.

Heat shrink tubing is used to cover wire or in many cases used by electricians.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_shrink

Here is a company just at random

http://cableorganizer.com/heat-shrink/

Lets don't forget Ebay........... kill two birds with one heat gun

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1311&_nkw=shrink+tubing&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Billy D.

Thanks, I'll have a look at what's available near me and see how it goes.

I totally forgot about that Shawn. 

I know you can get it at places that sell remote control planes and boats professionally.  What I mean is a hobby shop.  I got some there.  I am trying to find the stuff that has no name on it since some of them have a name that can show on the finale product.  It hasn't been easy.  You would need a heat gun to make it work properly.  I think it is simply called "Shrink Tubing."  As I remember it was a simple name.

Daryl H

Don't go to a hobby shop you will spend 10x what you should be there for shrink tubing.

Any Radio Shack / or any other electronics store will have it. Same for most auto parts stores they will have it in bulk packs by the electrical/wiring sections. Not by the car stereos, but in the back by the hardcore rewire your car type supplies.

Never thought of those area's thanks for sharing, I will check it out locally.

Daryl H