I need some advice. I have an expensive rod that I was applying Flex Cote light over the wraps and deco when a gnat lit in the epoxy over the deco at the butt. The epoxy was wet when this happened. I got the insect out and tried to smooth it out before it dried but it made some dull and rough spots over the area. What can I do to correct this situation ? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Take a razor, cut it smooth and apply finish over it. Also, look into Threadmaster and Threadmaster lite. It won't avoid the gnat situation, but the rod will have a much better finish in years to come.

The new flex coat is not bad stuff I know the old stuff would yellow real quick

The Thread master is a lot better

IF you got all the bug out and did not mess it up too bad another coat should look good
All you can do is try

next time you get a bug and take it out All the bug LOL No legs no wings
heat the finish the heat will thin it and it will flow - to a degree

Bill - willierods.com

Had the same problem, so I feel I can finally give something back to this forum...lol

Like Kevin said, I use an exacto (better control for me) and slice it out. It will level right off on your next coat.

"My biggest fear in life is that when I die, my wife will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it."

Heres mine!

[www.rodbuilding.org]

I had a fly land on some wet epoxy once.....he made a really nice pattern with his wings for 3 or 4 inches over my butt wrap as he tried to fly off. It kind of looked like a herringbone pattern. I cut both him and his design off the next day and the next coat of Pro-Kote covered it up very well.

Good luck with it.

I came back once hours after applying finish to find a humungous black fly dead and hardened on the finish. Cut him and his legs out with a razor blade and recoated the one guide. You would never know there was a problem.