I have a decal from decal connection on a fly rod.After I applied the decal,I coated it with 3 coats of flex coat.It looked great(for a few months)Recently I noticed a large area where the decal has a bubble under it.What did I do wrong?I have another decal.How do I get the old one off without damaging the blank?Any sugestions?

Epoxy rod finish can usually just be peeled right off the blank. One of the myths in rod building circles is that epoxy rod finish actually bonds to the surface of the blank - it doesn't, at least not very well.

Try to get a single edge razor blade under an edge and lift. Once you get a corner started, you can usually just peel the old finish right off and then gently scrape the decal off. If you're very, very careful, you can even use the blade to easily shave the finish off the blank. But you must be careful not to slice into the blank nor damage the finish. Go carefully and slowly and exercise patience.

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If you do scratch the blank, just do an underwrap where the decal goes with sz a thread and put a coat of finish over it, wait 24 hrs then put your decal on then put your final coat or coats.

Lance

Wayne did you apply finsh to the blank before you applied the decal? Jim at Decal Connection recomended this step when I first ordered decals. Chris

Lance may have the best idea of all - just wrap over what you have now and start over. Of course, this would put your new decal on a colored background.

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Did you get some of the Micro Sol and Micro Set with the decal from Decal Connection. Set allows you to move it around for placement and Sol with soften and shrink set it to the finished area on the blank. If you have a metallic gold or silver it will look fine on dark colored thread. If the decal is colored you will need to wrap the area with NCP white. Take a look at the current pictures on the Photo board of the LSU rods - all decals from Jimi on thread.

Good Luck Gon Fishn

Chris: Yes I did apply a coat of flex coat to the blank the day before I applied the decal.No bill I didn`t apply the microset. Thanks for all of the replies.