A new adventure for this freshwater rodbuilder -- Struggling to remove about 3 - 4' of cork grip tape from a fiberglass surf rod, wondered if a heat gun be beneficial to lightly warm it up for easier peeling (?).

Any and all suggestions greatly appreciated - Many Thanks!

Most of the time it comes right off but if you need to try a heat gun but be CAREFUL on the glass blank. I'd bet once you get the tape started it comes right off. I have seen it where the fiber backing pulls away from the cork and stays on the blank and that's fine if it does. I have cleaned it off with minerial spirits or paint thinner. If your covering it again you want a decent clean surface but it's more important to have no lumps or bumps, even small bumps seem to show through on the cork tape. Hope this all helps!!

Thanks John, appreciated. It's really being stubborn at the moment, I've even tried some gentle heat from an alcohol lamp in an attempt to loosen it without much luck...will just keep pickin' away though!

Put on some heavy gloves and use a piece of braided line held taut between your hands to shave it off.

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Thanks Tom - will attempt that first before monkeying around with any form of heat!

Many, many thanks Tom! I just tied a short length of braid between a couple dowels (for handles) and it works fantastic. You just saved me a ton of time and I really appreciate your help -- Again, Thanks a bunch! Mike