I am not sure what I am doing wrong. I am sanding down an Abstract EVA grip following Billys instructions from the last issue of RodMaker, but can't seem to prevent the black eva from bleeding into the lighter colors. I kept dipping the wet sandpaper in water and buffed with demin, but I just can't get the vibrant greens. Is there anything I can do? Hoping Billy will chime in.
Thanks Steve

Try a couple things - a stiff toothbrush may be all you need to clean up the green EVA. I've also gotten decent results with an alcohol wipe. Follow that with the denim buff.

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Steve, give me a call 718 980-5626. After we talk if you don't mind following up posting here with whatever we figure out that works I'd appecaite it. I dont' have tim eto go back and forth on posts/e-mails right now, a 10 minute phone call I'll figure it out.

Thanks Tom for the suggestions and to Billy for taking the time to have a phone conversation with me. I cleaned the grip and used masking tape to try and pull some of the bleeding out of the colored foam. It did help. I am thinking the quality of the hobby foam I am using may be part of the problem. I made a foregrip last night and was cautious not to be too aggressive with the coarse sandpaper and to do more sanding with the finer and wet sandpapers. I still had some bleeding. The cleaning with soap, toothbrush and using masking tape to pull out the bleeding did help.
This was my first go at working with EVA. The article in RodMaker was very informative and helpful. I was a little leary of using the skew chisel backwards, as shown in the article, but tried it last night and it worked very well for roughing out the grip. My wife thinks the abstract grip looks cool and even stated that she would like to have this rod for herself...so thanks guys for helping me get some browny points with the wife. I will try and post some photos when complete.



Thanks again!
steve

Looking forward to the photos. This technique should really lend itself to some unusual grip patterns. There's a lot that can be done with it.

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Steve, I'm glad that som eof those tips worked out for you, I think as you play with EVA more you'll get the hang of it a little better and they'll come out cleaner and cleaner. I got a call from my frien dMike last night who had a random abstract grip split and pop open on him. In the event an EVA grip pops open on you you cna glue it back together. Even if you notice a split or an open seam, you cna fix it by putting contact cement on a needle or bodkin and opening the seam up an dapplying the glue. Let it dry and close it back up, that should solve the problem provided oyu allow the glue to dry.

PS - I have to go back and re-read the article, I don't know how much info I put in there and apologize if I'm repeating it here, lol.

PS#2 - I'm rally pleased that so many guys are playing wiht these random abstract EVA grips, stay tuned becasue I plan on doing another EVA article for Rodmaker Mag soon........

Is there a trick to reaming eva out to fit the blank perfect? It about did me in reaming by hand. It seams like you have to do a lot of reaming to remove any material. Also I glued,drilled and turned all in the same day...is that Ok?
steve

Mudhole's Reamer seat with the Flex Coat reamer abrasive NOT the grit. Put it into a lathe or hand drill and power ream teh EVA to fit the blank. Or make your own reamers out of teh FC reamer abrasive strips sold by MH as well. HAnd reaming is not fun

Ok, I do have a Batson Dream reamer set, was afraid to use with drill..............wiill next time.
steve