I am a beginner and on a rod I recently did, there were a few places where I didn't realize I slipped with the epoxy. I know I should have used masking tape, but I thought I was doing a good job without it. Anyways, is there iny way to remove a few little epoxy spots (if you know what I am talking about) from the blank?

Epoxy adhesive or wrap finish??

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Sounds like wrap finish. If it has cured completely, you may be able to heat it to soften it a bit, then pop it off with your thumbnail, but that might also lift some of the finish.

Thanks. Sorry, yes it was wrap finish. Will heating mess up the blank?

Gentle heat will not harm the blank. Fortunately, epoxy doesn't stick to smooth blank surfaces very well so you may well be able to pop it off with a fingernail.

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This "suggestion" is not directly related to this post but it is requested that those working with any adhesive and the new style fully exposed reel seats or two piece seats NOT utilize any solvent to clean the area in the "seat window" or around the ends of any two piece seats. Carelfully wipe all excess away from edges with paper towell or soft rag only.

Bill,

Since I have oe of these coming soon from you, I'm guessig that the solivent will climb/run around the 2 parts and deter adheasion of them?

DR

Bill,
I agree and also disagree with your post.
When working with epoxy it is difficult to not have a bit of overrun - especially if you do an excellent job of coating both the outside of the blank, as well as all of the inside of the reel seat.
Having said that - I do agree, that immediately upon glue up - while the glue is wet and semi viscous, the use of ONLY a rag or cloth is the right thing to do for clean up.

However, if that is all that one does, it is quite likely that the finish will have an "epoxy" sheen or coating in the areas where it has been wiped with the paper towel or cloth.
So, as the epoxy sets, but before it gets really hard, I go over the joints with Xylene to insure that all epoxy is off the blank and reel seat in all areas that it shouldn't be.

I do agree that if you use such a powerful cleaner while the epoxy is still viscous, the solvent will penetrate the joint and weaken it.
However, if you wait until it has set, but not set hard, the solvent will remove the excess, but not penetrate the joint.

As a result of the cleanup, you will see 0 signs of any epoxy anywhere on the blank and or reel seat. Also, there will be virtually no penetration of the solvent into the joint to weaken the joint.

Take care
Roger

Good tips Roger!

I suspect maybe using a DAMP wipe down with a rag that is only damp with solivent would also do well.

DR

Yes, well pointed out Roger and DR. Now, something as strong as xylene isn't totally necessary. I dampen the rag with denatured alcohol and give a quick wipe. It's saturating the rag and spending too long in the area that causes penetration along the edge.