Hey everyone thank you for all your help!

Im restoring a 7.5' 2 piece bamboo rod. I have reglued any
delaminated segments ,stripped all the components and sanded the old finish off.

My question is do I varnish the blank before I install the guides and then finish the wraps seperate or is the proper procedure to install guides and then varnish every thing together ?

Also, should I use a marine spar varnish or a urathane like Varithane 900 as I hear the V 900 is used by many for bamboo restoration.

Happy wrapping "John"

I'll let the bamboo experts answer your particular questions, but I will mention that the current issue of RodMaker as an article by Russ Gooding of Golden Witch on how to finish (or refinish as the case may be) bamboo rods/blanks.

The article involves "dip finishing" which may be a tad more involved that you wish to get, but it does obtain perhaps the best finish possible for these rods.

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Tom thank you for all the help! This site is a wonderful resource!

I actually ordered my components from Golden Witch. Russ was not available to speak with but I know he uses Varithane 900 as his other half told me when I asked about finishes.

I would think if Russ is dip finishing the blanks then the guides would not be on the rod cuz they would get all gunked up.

Tom you may have answered one of my questions but it would be nice to hear some other thoughts and ideas.


Many thanks "John"

Actually, most of the bamboo builders do dip their rods AFTER the guides have been installed. If the finish is properly thinned and the rate of removal from the tank is correct, the guides will not show any particular build-up of varnish. I know it sounds hard to believe, but its true.

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If I am doing a restoration I use Spar Marine Varnish and I wrapp rod and use color preserver on wraps then I use 4 coats full strength varnish and then dip my rod 4 times.. If I am doing a refurbished rod or a new bamboo rod I use Helmans Spar Urethane Varnish.. If you dip rod before wrapping I would wait about a week before you wrapp rod.. you want to learn more about bamboo rods check out www. clarksrods.com Thanks Dave

I know just enough to get in to trouble when it comes to bamboo, but I have been told and also read that you should never sand bamboo, only scrap the finish. For some unknowen readson sanding well rase the fibers on bamboo

Exactly right you should not sand...

One reason not to sand a rod you are restoring is that you are essentially changing the taper from original. The finish should come off with the stripper alone. However, if your sanding was minimal and done with a fine grit, you didn't really hurt anything.

Hi John,
I just finished refinishing a Montague Bamboo Fly Rod. My first. And I put on the varnish first and then wrapped the guides afterward's. I also used Marine Spar Varnish (3) coat's with a foam brush, and a light sanding between each coat with 000 steel wool, and a final polish with an all purpose polishing cloth, a must for anyone who build's or rebuilds Bamboo Rod's.You can get these polishing cloth's from Darrell at Angler's Collectible's for about $3.75. You can reach Darrell at www.vfish.net.Although It is my first rod I've done, It looks proffesionly done to me. And will continue to do my rod's in this manner. Good Luck
Marty