Some people never learn...a buddy for mine gave me a rod to repair and what it looks like is, he'd been using braid in guides not made for it, I don't know maybe be the hazard of using braided line, it has worn grooves in them so I am replaceing the guides.. Ive been doing the proven method of cutting down to the underwrap with a razor blade on the edge of the overwrap and then pulling the underwrap from underneath it so the guide slides out, over wraps and all. the rod is probably only few months old so the finish is still good...let me say, this one has been a booger to mess with.

The other thing I'm wondering about, is getting the finish off the rod blank itself (i.e banged up butt wraps and finish from folks putting the rod on the rail)... I know factory saltwater companies have finish all the way up the blank to almost to the butt guide. I know there HAS to be an easier way...any suggestions?

If you have removed all the guides, you might consider stripping the old finish and paint from the blank, and painting and refinishing it. The area where the rod rests on the rail could be wrapped and finished to provide a bit of cushion and protection. As that wears over time, it can be removed and redone without having to bother with the blank again. Or... you could just wrap and finish over that area now and now worry about stripping and refinishing the entire blank.

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Tom, as far a striping the finish and paint off the entire blank...how would you go about it so as not to damage the blank...sanding? solvents?



Dave

Scraping, being careful not to slice into the blank. Or, you can use one of the water based strippers and be careful to remove it as soon as it has fully loosened the paint/finish.

Be aware that such strippers may not be effective on epoxy, if that is what you've got on the blank. You'll need to scrape that, although you may find that you can "catch an edge" and peel it off the blank. Epoxy will not adhere to the smooth blank surface very well and this can make your job easier.

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Thanks Tom, you've been very helpful as usual, and all you other rod builders out there, don't be shy, chime in and give your thoughts on the matter


Dave

Dave,

Strip old rods down all the time, as I refinish them for kids. Don't be afraid to use a little heat to loosen up the epoxy. I emphasize LITTLE, using a har dryer or craft heat gun.

Bill in WV