FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions or “Tuffleye
101”
We,
at Wet A Hook TechnologiesLP,
suggest that all Tuffleye owners look through this
page.
1.
What exactly is Tuffleye Core?
Tuffleye
Core is a special acrylic of the safest and highest quality that
will cure (set)
with
a very narrow spectrum of visible blue light. There are three
consistencies now (Finish, Core and Flex) and others are being
developed. Tuffleye has been formulated to begin curing within 5
seconds and completely harden in 10-20 seconds. It is packaged in
light proof syringes. The syringe has a twist off cap that is
easily replaced with the provided curved tip applicator if
desired. This
applicator tip can be trimmed like the tip of a caulking gun to
best suit your needs. The
syringes
are not for re-use.
2.
Will any LED light work with Tuffleye?
Not
likely. The Tuffleye light has been specifically designed to
optimally cure this special material. It has a particular spectrum
of light and intensity that will not be matched by purchasing a
generic LED light. It is nearly identical to what dentists use in
both the spectrum of light, and the intensity of the light. Some
dentists even have purchased this light to use in their
laboratories because it is about one-tenth the cost of their other
options.
3.
Will regular room lighting cause Tuffleye to
harden?
Most
room lighting is capable of eventually curing Tuffleye but it is
expected to take several hours, or even days, depending on the
intensity of your lighting. You should have plenty of working time
in regular room lighting. Some halogen desk lamps may be an
exception to this. You can always squeeze out a small dot of
Tuffleye on a card and time test it under your
lighting.
4.
Can I use Tuffleye in direct sunlight?
The
Sun has almost all spectrums of light in it. There for it will
cause Tuffleye to set very rapidly. Within 30-60 seconds you may
start to see it curing, or longer, depending on the sun's
intensity. You may not get a fast cure and might have to leave it
longer.
5.
How close should I hold the Tuffleye light to the Tuffleye Core or
Finish?
For
best curing, the Tuffleye light should be held about 5 mm
(one-fourth of an inch) from the material being cured. On large
applications you should allow the light to remain for a few seconds
on each 5-10 mm section of the material.
6.
Will looking into the light hurt your eyes?
If
you were using the Ultra Violet (UV) light spectrum the answer
would be yes! The “visible” light spectrum is farther
away from “X-Rays” than UV. Visible Blue light is a
very narrow spectrum that is used safely in dentistry and has been
for over 40 years. Nevertheless, we provide an eye shield and
recommend that you observe the light curing process by placing the
shield between your eyes and the material. Looking into any light
for a sustained time is not recommended and we want you to keep
your eye sight good to allow you to tie the best flies and lures.
The following chart is what is called “The Electromagnetic
Spectrum” and allows you to see that UV light is closer to
X-Ray Radiation. Eye care and your visual health is why we have not
used UV light curing in any of our products.
7.
How long does it take to cure Tuffleye?
With
the proper light, it will begin hardening within 5 seconds and
completely harden in 10-20 seconds. If this is not the case there
may be a problem with either the light (see FAQ #10) or the photo
activator may be expired. Heat will decrease the shelf life of
Tuffleye. If Tuffleye does not cure clear you are not getting a
complete cure. This can affect the properties of Tuffleye. Please
contact us if you encounter any difficulties with this and we will
be happy to assist you.
8.
If my batteries get low, will it affect the quality of the
cure?
Yes,
if you use the Tuffleye flashlight powered by batteries only. We
suggest changing the batteries after 1-2 hours of use.
Effective
26/Mar/2007 we introduced an AC/DC light with a warning sensor to
indicate low intensity that may affect the cure.
9.
Why do you now only sell one LED Curing
Light?
We
now provide one exceptional and very versatile light. It contains a
high intensity and high quality LED rated to last between 75,000 -
100,000 hours. This light will cure the "Tuffleye" material
completely in about 10-20 seconds and has been developed
specifically for this purpose. It is capable of running on either
3AAA batteries or the AC current with the adaptor included. The AC
adaptor is able to self adjust an electric current from either 120
or 240 volts. Making International tiers happy. We have also added
micro circuitry that will notify the user of the intensity of the
DC current. When there is not enough battery power to adequately
cure the Tuffleye material, a red light will appear. This will
notify you to either place fresh batteries or move to an AC power
source. The DC only light requires that you self access when your
battery power gets too low for proper curing. If you have a DC only
light, placing fresh rechargeable batteries at the beginning of
each tying session has shown excellent results.
10.
Is it possible to tell if my light is bright enough to work
correctly?
The
only sure way is with a light meter. Each light is checked before
shipping to assure its intensity level for curing. If you have a
genuine question about the light, you can take it to your dentist
and ask him if he will check it with his light meter. It should
give a reading of above 200 mw/cm2. (A reading all dentists should
be familiar with) Don't be surprised if he wants to know where you
got it and how much it costs.
11.
Will Tuffleye yellow over time like epoxy?
No. Tuffleye will not yellow even if left in the sun for months. In
fact, if you have not completely cured the Tuffleye, it may have a
slight yellow cast that will get more clear as it ages in light.
When testing Tuffleye Bob Popovics placed a Surf Candy on the
dashboard of his car for months with absolutely no
yellowing.
12.
What is the tacky outer layer on the Core?
Core’s tacky outer layer is a chemical reaction to air
(Oxygen). All light cured acrylics have it and it has pros and
cons. The pro is that you may add eyes, overlays, wings, legs,
etc., to your fly and Tuffleye will not only act to help stick them
in place, but an additional covering of Tuffleye will irreversibly
bond to itself. The con is that once the fly is tied, many tiers
desire to eliminate the tacky surface.
13.
How can I get rid of Tuffleye’s tacky outer
layer?
There
are several ways. (Refer to our "Hot Tips" page for more info on
this.) "Tuffleye Finish" can be painted as a thin coating over
Cores tacky layer and cured. Merely polish the oily residue off
Finish and you’ll have a glossy coat. Although it is a bit
more difficult, you can also wipe the tacky surface off the
Tuffleye Core. You can also use rubbing alcohol. Rubbing this
surface with a rag or your finger can also restore the glossy
finish. Tuffleye Core is the most durable of all our products
surfaces. If the final surface is more dull than wanted
(In
the water, a frosted finish is not visible.)
For show or shadow boxes, many of our testers will paint on a thin
coat of Hard as Nails or Hard as Hull after removing the tacky
layer. The following photos show the Tuffleye frosted surface on
the left that comes after being wiped with Rubbing Alcohol. The
side on the right is a thin coating of Hard as Nails and the bubble
is a tiny droplet of water.
14.
Is Tuffleye Core as durable as UV acrylic resins or
epoxy?
Tuffleye
Core is as strong or stronger than most epoxies. It is made of an
extremely high quality acrylic. While most UV based acrylics
available will bend, tear, shrink, or break under normal hand
strength, Tuffleye Core will not bend, tear or break under that
same pressure. The base ingredient of Tuffleye Core is one of, if
not the most, biologically and ecologically safe, light cured,
materials man has. Epoxies and other UV cured acrylics that we have
evaluated cannot make this claim. If you have any questions about
our commitment to you and our environment, please call, mail, or
email us. We
believe in personal service and you can talk with a real person at
Wet A Hook Technologies.
15.
Can I use Tuffleye Finish as one application and skip using
Tuffleye Core altogether?
Yes.
For smaller flies or applications, Tuffleye Finish will work
superbly. Tuffleye Finish is a bit more flexible and flowable than
Core. Our testers have used Finish for all kinds of applications.
It is excellent for head cement, attaching body parts, etc.
However, it is not as durable alone for forming larger flies and we
recommend Core if your desire is the most durable, longest lasting
fly.
16.
How should the Tuffleye syringes be stored when not being
used?
Remember,
the same cap you had to unscrew to get to the Tuffleye, you can
place back on the tip of the syringe, or if stored out of the light
you can simply pull back slightly on the syringe till you see the
Tuffleye material retreat back into the curved tip then store it
away form any light. While using Tuffleye, the light proof syringes
will protect it from normal room lighting. We suggest when not
using Tuffleye, you keep the syringes stored in a light proof
container. Tuffleye is easy to store if kept in a cool light proof
place.
17.
Is there a shelf life for Tuffleye Core and Tuffleye
Finish?
Yes,
after 12 to 18 months, Tuffleye could begin to be more difficult to
cure as the photo initiators begin to age. By refrigeration, when
not being used for long periods of time, you can extend the shelf
life substantially. Be sure to warm Tuffleye up a bit if bringing
it out of refrigeration since Tuffleye is very thick if cold and
flows more the warmer it gets.
18.
Why do I get a yellow or rust colored tint after applying Hard as
Nails over the surface of my Tuffleye?
There
is a chemical preservative in some of the nail polishes or surface
coatings that will react with the surface of Tuffleye depending on
the type (some do and some don’t) used. We suggest you try
the type of coating you have on a small piece of cured Tuffleye
before using that surface coating on your Tuffleye flies. (This can
also happen to other fly tying materials you may be using.) The
photo below shows what we have found with one of the nail polishes
tested. The side on the left is coated with Sally Hansens “No
Chip” brand. The yellowish color (chemical reaction) has
turned even darker as it has been exposed to the sun. The clear
side has no coating added.
If
you have any other questions please email (Contact us),
phone (1-250-544-8128),
or
mail (7272
Wurzbach Rd. #404, San Antonio, Texas 78240),
us. We try our best to give you exceptional service. You can talk
with a real person at Wet A Hook TechnologiesLP.
(We
can even use “Skype” to communicate through real time
video. Live Tuffleye tying demonstrations can also be
scheduled.) If
not immediately available, we will get back to you as soon as
possible. Thank-you!