A friend's fly rod ended up in the lake for about 1/2 hour or more. All the polymer covering the thread wraps and the manufacturer's label (Sage) now has a cloudy white white appearance.

We are wondering what this substance is, and how to remove it. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

An expert will probably chime in but I would guess that it is similar to the white color that appears in the wax on a hardwood floor when water is not wiped up quickly or the white ring that occurs when you do not use a coaster on your coffee table. If this is the case it will dissipate in time. Again, one of the pros will most likely know better. I am sorry but you had to know someone was going to ask, how did this happen?
Phil

Now has a finish ever been put on this rod other than a factory finish?
If this a factory rod it is a manufacyory defect.
Good Wraps Bob

Sage, uses Flex-Coat, and I have never heard of anything like this w/ Flex-Coat. John Butterfield

Set it in a warm area and it should clear up over time. It's not defective - rods are not meant to be submerged for lengthy periods of time.

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I have seen this happen to finished areas exposed to rain, splashed with water for lengthy periods, etc. It goes away after the rods dry for some time. Don't know what causes this, I do not believe the finish is hydroscopic, and am fairly certain it does not contain any waxes/oils.

Lou

I have seen this on other rods and my opinion I think the finish has not cured all the way. I have seen this on 3 different factory rods. One rod this affected the finish of whole rod, the others it was just the wraps. All three rods were made by top of the line companys. I have also had this happen on buttwraps and i traced it to the CP not being totaly dry when i applied the finish.
If this is a Factory rod send it back to Sage. Thanks dave

The only time that I saw this was when I hooked and brought up a factory rod with a reel on it. The finish was all clouded up; really ugly. It was a low line rod and reel and I just tossed it when I got home so I can't say if it clears up or not.

Putter

I don't think you can ask the manufacturer for a replacement if the rod has been underwater for a period of time. As was said I don't think they're made to take that sort of thing. I've seen this milky white discoloration on many rods that have been dunked or stored where they could get rained on for many days at a time. As far as I can tell they all clear up when placed in the sunlight for several hours.

Are our epoxy rod finishes really waterproof? I don't think so. I thought I heard Ralph O'Quinn say one time that moisture will degrade and destroy epoxy over time.

Very interesting information, people. Thanks very much.

The most surprising thing to me is the idea that epoxy is not able to handle water without undergoing some sort of change. I've always thought of epoxy as sort of invincible!

The cloudiness on the polymer sure makes that expensive factory Sage look like a piece of junk!

I'll tell my friend to try leaving it out in the sunshine for awhile.

Thanks again....this is a great forum!

HMMM.......
Were there any birds flying overhead?.....I have had this happen to my windshield on several occasions... :)