I'm restoring an old surf rod (Sea King). The rod has some 1/2" wide gold tape in front and in back of the guide wraps. I would like to duplicate this, so I was wondering: Has anyone been there done that and knows where I could find this tape?

Thanks,
<>Dave

It was common on many rods back in the 1960's and 1970's. It's mylar film tape. Jann's would almost certainly have it, others may still stock it as well.

.............

An artist supply store may have it as well

3M auto pinstripe tape works the best for this. when you cut it after making a turn or two, make sure the cut is on the opposite side of where the rod is held when fishing (less noticeable). The white and black bands in the middle of this wrap are tape.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Dave,
I recently redid a similar rod with similar type trims on the guides.
Rather than using gold tape, I simply did a full length under wrap of the guide and guide end area with metallic gold thread.
I placed the guide, and then did my normal wrap using the appropriate thread color.

The effect was actually much nicer than the original tape finish.

Take care
Roger