Hi All,
On my latest rod, I've managed to get epoxy on the winding check.
I had done the hookeeper wrap too close to the check and rather than removing it, I let the epoxy go over it. The epoxy covers 1/2 the check, ie. it's on the part of the winding check that bevels inward to the rod and then there is a lip that is on the cork. I don't know if I've described it properly, but it's like all the other winding checks. Basically, I've incorporated the hook keeper epoxy finish with half the winding check.
It's fairly neat and doesn't look out of place, but my question is will it start to peel off in time and should I remove it. If I do, I'm afraid I may foul up the rest of the epoxy wrap on the hook keeper.
Any advice will be most grateful.
Thanks in advance,
Glen.

If you decide to peel off any excess, score the epoxy with a razor blade or scalpel and you can then peel it off to that point and no further. An easy way to do this if you have a lathe is to hold the blade against the offending area and have someone else slowly turn the rod by hand until you've cut the epoxy around the full circumference of the check. Then peel off to that point.

......

I'ld fish it.

Glen, No worries. I always cover my winding check with the finish. I like the look of the transistion. I haven't had the finish on the winding check peel away, ever. As far as removal, stripping that area is no more difficult than other areas.
Patrick Vernacchio

I agree with Patrick. I would not mess with it and I also put some epoxy on my winding checks, particularly the black rubber ones. I like the transition and look. I have not had one peel. I have been building rods for 3 years.

Bob Widmaier

Rubber winding checks will deteriorate with age. I had problems with Rodon and other winding checks. Stopped using rubber checks long ago. Doesn't matter if they are coated or not. They will look like heck in a few years.

I agree with these guys, I would just cover the rest of winding check with epoxy. You can actually make a tapered winding check out of five minute epoxy and then put thread over it. It gives a pretty cool transition between seat and blank, or handle and blank.

Hello Glen
Consider making your next winding check using U40 Rod Bond.
You can color it with pigment and make a nice and easy winding check. Simply use your dampened with water (Saliva) finger as the rod is turning and make a nice looking chamfer transition. Pratice on a piece of scrap and see how good and easy this is. I like the looks of black and other dark colors. They look very classy.
Regards Joe

That's a pretty cool idea Joe.