I have a couple of rods that have blemishes in the finish. These are not dings or dents, but rather spots in the finish that have either come off, if that is possible, or were just missed when the original finish was applied. Is there a remedy? Short of repainting the rod (it is black), if that is even possible (if so what will stick to the rod), or is this just something one has to live with? Would some high gloss black enamel stick? I would imagine that the enamel would stick to the finish that is there, but the blemishes seem to reveal the underlying graphite/fiberglass. Any thoughts.

Clinton

Are you talking the BLANK or the Thread Wraps on guides ???

Bill - willierods.com

I am referencing the blank.

Clinton

If this is a new blank send it back

If this is a painted Black blank and has chips in it the chips will have to be sanded with about 400 grit wet paper then fine sand with a gray pad repaint the blank.

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks for your response. This gets me back to the original concerns. (1) does the whole rod have to be repainted? (2) would spray enamel do or do I need something like fusion paint, I think it is called? Mud Hole sells it. (3) It is just a little chip, and the rod is not new. I was just hoping there was some way to do a smal fix without redoing the whole rod, although taping off everything but the blank might be the way to go.

Clinton

If it is just a chip get Auto Touch Up in the small bottles that have a brush in the top and just dot the chip very light, let dry and do it again if needed. Make sure the paint is nice and liquid Shake well....

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks. At the risk of being dense, this Auto Touch up, are you thinking from an auto parts store?

Clinton

Yes. Most will have them but call to make sure. Some thing like Pep Boys Google auto parts - supples

Another thing, when putting on the guides on will any of them cover this chip ? If so just wrap the guide over it.

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks again. No, the guides will not cover it and it would probably look strange if I did something decorative over it. I have some black enamel paint in a spray can that I used one time on my windshield wipe blade arms. I have always wondered whether that would have some form of rod application. You would think that all blacks are the same, but they seem to have different properties...which is probably the result of the surface interaction to which the black is being applied and not the paint itself. In any event, I am not looking to make a big deal out of this. If anything, my primary thought is to protect the rod from weather and to prevent the "clear coat", if that is what it is, from coming off further. If worse got to worse, I have some black fusion paint, which will stick to just about anything.

Clinton

If the spot is in between two guides you could gray pad scoff it, spray with the Fusion - I like lacquers cause they dry fast - just covering the spot. Let dry well read the directions on the can.

If the blank is shinny it has a clear. When dry scoff lightly, Mask off in the middle of the guide wraps - Blue Painters tape, then permagloss or LumiSeal. Like spot refinish on a car.

Or scoff the whole blank and clear the whole thing.

Bill - willierods.com

Now we're talking. I have not used either of these products? I have not used either. Is one better than the other? I checked Mud Hole and they seem to come in a botte. Does the bottle have an applicator brush? So, I assume you brush it on and it levels out? There are urethanes, so could one use a polyurethane instead? I have some of this in a spray can. Using the spray can is outrageously expensive because 8090% is overspray. On the other hand, it does make for a nice smooth finish.

A note on Fusion. I found that sometimes it sprays in clumps, if there is such a word. It does stick nicely, but if you get a splotch here and there you have to sand with very fine same paper, I used 600 rated paper, and then cover the entire area (rod) with a polyurethane. I have not had a problem with this approach as yet, but the long-term jury may be out on this technique.

Clinton