Ten years after building my previous rod, I did assembly a spinning rod for the upcoming season.
However, the epoxy finish appears somewhat bulky. From what I've seen on some instructional videos (after the incident) I should certainly have used an alcohol burner with the finish.

Is there a rescue procedure for this? The epoxy was U40, and the application is lite to medium.

Thanks,
Audun

Not sure what an alcohol lamp would have done for you - if you want a thinner finish, just apply less.

About the only thing you can do at this point is clean, block sand until flat (hopefully without getting into the thread) and recoat. It might take a little time but it can certainly be done with good results.

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

Next time after you apply finish, stop the turner, and let the guides sit I do it left and then right so it does not cover the rings, let it drip and wipe it off with your brush After no more drips turn the dryer on.

let it do it's thing no heat, not needed. I also like a cool room to finish in.

Bill - willierods.com

Audun,
When I apply finish, I apply it quickly with a 100-200 rpm turning speed. I stop the rod at key points if needed to get the finish in around the guide foot.
After getting the finish on the rod and all of the guides, I will put the rod on the slow 6 rpm dryer and look over each guide. If there is too much finish or any other irregularities, I will use my heat gun to slightly heat and thin the finish to allow it to nicely flow off. If necessary, I will use a brush to dab off the excess if there is any there.

The heat is a convenient way to thin finish that has begun to thicken and is not flowing nicely.

Just be careful, to use GENTLE heat.
I really don't like to use a burner of any sort, because the heat is so intense, that it is quite easy to over heat the finish unless you stay quite a distance from the finish and move it fairly quickly over the finish area.

After letting the rod turn for about another 15 minutes, I will check again very closely, with a bright light and magnification on each guide and guide foot. I want to be sure that the finish is as good as it can be, before the finish sets too much.
Up to about 15 minutes or so, I find that I can still slightly heat the finish if needed to take care of a foot ball or an uneven area in the finish. That is why , I continuously check for the first 5-15 minutes of rod drying to be sure that there is the right finish on the rod.

Take care
Roger

Thanks a lot for your advice - very useful comments!

Audun