I was wondering how to take the varnish off a bamboo fly rod without damaging the wrap. Ex. can you use a stripping agent or a heat gun to remove the varnish and if so what kind.
I have inherited a south bend 24-9 fly rod which was my great grandfathers. Grandpa put varnish on it and repaired the wraps that fell apart but now it looks like a hodge podge. I would like to restore it to all its original wraps and re-varnish it after taking the old stuff off.
Your help would be appreciatied since I am just starting to get into rod building.
Thanks. Kris

Kris,
I use a citrus type stripper from Lowes. Follow the directions and procede with caution. Cover trade markes etc. with masking tape. I let it set up about an hour and wipe off as much as i can with cloth and then use scotch brite. Do not use steel wool as it can permanantly stain. It may take more than one application to get all the old varnish off. Do not attempt to refinish until at least 24 hrs. after using this stripper as it has to dissipate completely. This is a very safe stripper and is pleasant to use, be careful to only use a citrus based stripper. There may be other types that will work and still be safe but this is the only one I recommend.
You may want to get a copy of the classic book of Restoring Bamboo Rods by Michael Sinclair. Good luck and enjoy the rod.

If you want to do it right. Strip the guides off, refinish the blank, then rewrap. It will come out a lot nicer. My 1 1/2 Cents

Kris,
I fully agree with Bill and if you send a sample of the silk thread to Golden Witch they will help you match the original. Original wrap is hard to tell the color of just by looking at it. I have had rods I thought were one color but due to aging, varnish and fading I was on hundred percent wrong.

Thanks for the info. I just happen to have some citrus stripper at home. I'll try it. As far as the wraps, under the varnish that has cracked and chipped off it looks like it's a silver/black thread under the old varnish the thread looked gold/black. I have a magazine that has that kind of thread being that the silver/black was the original thread they used for wrapping.

I prefer to scrape it off with a single edge razor. Srippers make me worry about weakening the glue holding the strips together. Just drag the razor over the surface with the blade at an angle, facing away from the direction you drag, this way it won't gouge the surface. The varnish will come off easily with several passes. Use a scotchbrite pad to get the stubborn spots off. Any way you choose to do it, definately rewrap the guides, it will look better in the long run.

Good Luck!

Tim

that is called "jasper" thread. several manuacturers make it. again. golden witch will probably be able to supply something very close. as for information on restoration of bamboo rods
this is the site: [p205.ezboard.com]. the guys on this forum are very knowlegeable.

Your rod had black and white jasper wraps..with age they can look yellow and black or silver/grey and black. Golden witch has silk in that color but being a south bend it may very well be nylon originally depending on the year it was made. Describing the grip style may help determine that. The two digit South bend rods were bass tapers.

I agree with the advice here use citri strip and take everything off and put it back on. remember to map everythingout ahead of stripping. Good luck and enjoy!!!

Strip it and rewrap the guides, then refinish. The black/white thread is available as a twist from several of the vendors. It often looks yellow/black just from the varnish thast covers it and old age . Refinish by dipping for a fantastic result using a good spar varnish or urethane spar varnish. A word to the wise, do this out in the garage or workshop even if the stairwell does make a great place for the dipping tube setup.

If you do not want to strip the rod, you can also remove the guides and rub the old finish out with "0000" steel wool soaked in ultra-fine polishing compound which is available from and used by most antique furniture stores. The compound actually causes the old varnish to reflow and provides a smooth, new looking finish (thanks to the steel wool/compound combination). You do not rub hard, but it does take time. Let the wool and compound do their work on the old varnish. You can clean up, wrap guides and cover the finished rod with new varnish if you wish when you get done. Good luck, the old bamboo rods are fun to bring back to life.

Joe Douglas