traditional treatments for modern line
 

Can you slush Vectran? What chemicals will/won't eat it?
i'm splicing softeyes in 1/8" Vectran single braid for shrouds on my new dinghy, and as the stainless wire headstays will be resting on top of them at the thumb cleats, i'd like to serve and slush them. The wire softeyes are too small for leathering.

You can "slush" with Maxi-Jacket
 

There is a product called maxi-jacket or something like that that comes in different colors, including black, that is a latex-y uv protectant that also stiffens the line considerably. We regulary "dip" exposed halyards and sheets at the end of a season. I think Yale makes the stuff. I wouldn't try any of the "traditional" slushes.

Here on Tortola, you get what you get... i went looking for single-braid Vectran, as i saw on a Formula 40 Cat we have in the yard (a lighter grey colour), and ended up finding Maxibraid instead, which comes pre-coated with that maxicoat stuff (a better dark grey colour). i served my splices and softeyes in a darker-than-white waxed twine, so the overall effect worked out well enough not to alter. i'll keep an eye out for maxicoat to re-coat with.