I carefully removed the original guides from two rods and then removed the thread by picking at it with my fingernail. I then removed the original coating residue/Flex coat etc by rubbing briskly with Mineral Spirits,this worked well but the surrounding areas are now dulled. I would like this gloss finish back. How do I acomplish this is there a aerosol spray Flex Coat or some other product to use for this and should it be done before or after whipping the new guides in place.

thanks dick

If the de-glossed area doesn't extend too far past where the new guide wraps would be, I'd just carry my finish out to a point beyond the thread wrap that will cover that area. Now if this is quite a ways out from the wraps, you may have to take another course of action. Either try polishing/buffing the finish back up (careful here - you can "burn" right through the finish if you're not careful) or refinish the entire blank.

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I am not too sure if this is what you are asking, but I have used a spray urathane on an entire rod blank and it has turned out well. If you do several thin coats are better than 1 heavy one. I usually use semi gloss but that is a personal preference.

Always tape off the areas on either side of the guides being removed to prevent marring of the blanks finish.

The finish dulled on you because the surface luster, thus some of the finish itself, was removed when you wiped the blank. Under the same circumstances I had to refinish the entire rod with blank epoxy paint commonly available at most hardware stores.

Lou