I know that there are many advocates that advocate the idea of scuffing a rod blank before doing a handle glue up.

I also know that there are many advocates that advocate the idea of scuffing a coat of finish that has cured for several days or several years before applying a 2nd coat of finish.

For those, who might not scuff a blank before applying glue to glue up a handle, or for those who have not scuffed a coat of finish before applying a 2nd coat of finish - have you ever experienced any issues with adhesion or glue or finish failur on the rod?

Roger

In my early rod building experiences, I did not scuff the handle area (I build fly rods only) and have subsequently removed the grip from a few of these rods to update components. In each and every case the bond was very good, no areas of lack of adhesion. I noe scuff, but not sure it adds any benefit.

As for the wrap coats, again I do not scuff (even after the first coat curing 3 or 4 days) and have not experienced any issue with any of the rods I've built.

Hope this is what your looking for.

Roger,

I side with Phil on this one. I've been building rods for almost 40 years and I have never scuffed the areas prior to installing handles. It may or may not add any significant benefit. IMO I think as long as you have a clean surface prior to gluing you are good to go. With regards to the second coat I have applied it as soon as the first coat was dry to several days later with the same results. Hope this helps answer your questions.

Tight lines,

John Hernandez

Guides no Handles and seats very well I have repaired several that the glue stuck to the finish on the rod - but the finish did not stick to the blank

Bill - willierods.com

I never scuffed a rod blank prior to gluing up a handle assembly. I have also had the chance to strip down my handle assemblies just for the reason of rebuilding the blank for new colors and all was well.
As far as scuffing a wrap finish. I find I put more contaminates into the mix even after a week of non recoating. I have never had a rod come back because the glue bond broke.

I think the application in which the rod is used has a lot to do with bond strength. I have repaired several off shore 50lb class rods that the seat came loose on during a hard fight. On all occasions the bond broke from the blank not the seat and the blank was shiny . These were shelf rods not custom built. It all depends on the amount of pressure the rod is going to subjected to.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

I will always scuff the blank. I've seen to many times were the finish started to bubble and i don't want my seat to be holding on to a finish. It only takes a second to sand down the area under the real seat so why cheat it it will only help. On guides I don't becouse the thread is what holds the guides on not the epoxy.

CHEAT?

I think the question here should be is the extra bond strength necessary for the application at hand. A rod that is going in fresh water to do battle with smaller fish does not require the strength of offshore gear battling fish over 100 pounds that pull like a race car. I had the displeasure years ago to fish on a charter that had a rod where the center part of the forgrip lost it's bond . My hand cramped really bad bringing in a 90 lb yellowfin on that loose grip. The rod came out of rotation after I cut a promo on the mate for setting out a substandard rod.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

I think Fred makes a very important point. I'll add that it isn't just the added stress. Sometimes it is the materials. They might not get used much anymore but you wouldn't want to fail to take a rat tail file to a chrome over brass reel seat!

If the blank has no finish a good cleaning with soap and water will go a long ways. That said I always scuff with scotch brite or wet/dry sandpaper.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Simple INSURANCE! ! May be a 1 in 1000 failure, BUT...... A custom rod deserves the best prep you can give it. We're talking less than a minute. Instead of"why", my question would be "why not"??

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!!