Rope coatings

[Matt J Leppek]

Just found 150' of 1/2in stable braid in the clearance rope section for $94. It said it was uncoated, but I still think it's a heck of a deal at 60 cents a foot.

I'm ignorant to rope coatings, so does anyone here know why it is applied? Is it going to last without the coating? I imagine the coating is to protect from friction/elements, but I really have no idea.

Thanks for any input!

 

[JeffGu]

They're usually heavy dyes, or more commonly on rigging ropes, polyurethane coatings that are either sprayed on or coated by dragging the rope through it. They give better UV and abrasion resistance, and color, to the rope. I've used uncoated ropes and the coating does extend the life, but that's a good rope and should hold up fine, I'd think. You'll probably want to treat it nicely... don't leave it laying out in the sun when you're not using it, etc. but these ropes held up pretty good before the urethane coatings got popular. It will almost certainly "fuzz up" sooner than a coated rope.

Keep us updated, though, I'm rather curious how that Stable Braid will hold up without the coating. I suspect that at that price, you'll be happy with its performance. I would have grabbed that up, myself.

 

[Matt J Leppek]

Great, I was hoping it wouldn't be anything imperative to the rope. With the limited use my personal ropes see, I'm sure it will last a while. I check the clearance rope section daily and had a double take when I saw a 150' section on there. There's quite a few good deals on there right now.