What kind of procedure yall use to get the finish straight and smooth on the ends of guide wraps.Especially on the ring side of a sf guide.I always make a mess right where the ring joins the blank.Either a blob runs out on the blank from the eye and makes the edge too wide and ragged or I get it in the guide.Any advice how to keep them smooth and level much appreciated.

Bruce,
One word, quick spinning rod during the finish application. Gravity and spinning force will leave a razor straight edge with little help needed on your part.
Once the finish has gotten the necessary straight line and all excess finish is off of the rod, I will slow the dryer to the desired long term speed for overnight drying.

When I am doing the back side of the ring, I stop the rod with the guide up, to put the necessary finish at that location, then pedal to the metal to let gravity and spinning force do its thing.

Roger

What Roger said, about 120 rpm is where I try to keep it.

I find that using spatulas are for better than brushes to getting those straight/sharp edges on the wraps, although on the ring side of a micro it can get really tricky. For the micro guides I use a triangle-sharp spatula and some itsy-bitsy teenie-weenie (about the size of a toothpick) micro brushes from a local hobby store.

For the ends of guide wraps and butt wraps I use painters tape. I can set the length of the finish and its always straight everytime.

I've tried a straight edge paper towel with alcohol and you need a steady hand while the rod spins. The tape is the only thing I can preset (before applying finish).

If you get a little under the tape just wipe off. But your lines should be straight. Very straight (depending on how you place the tape).

Adam Curtis Wrote:
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> For the ends of guide wraps and butt wraps I use
> painters tape. I can set the length of the finish
> and its always straight everytime.
>
> I've tried a straight edge paper towel with
> alcohol and you need a steady hand while the rod
> spins. The tape is the only thing I can preset
> (before applying finish).
>
> If you get a little under the tape just wipe off.
> But your lines should be straight. Very straight
> (depending on how you place the tape).

That's what I've started doing with mine. Works well, edges are even. I leave me on for about an hour or so and then take them off.