I bought 2 white blanks some time ago. I built-up one right away. The other was a slow build. I fitted components (grips, seat, checks...no guides yet) to it, but I had to put it aside to build other 'priority' rods. Well, I got back to it after a few months and notice a yellow/rust colored ring developed under the checks. They were the rubber type checks - I intended to replace them with aluminum checks I had acquired at the expo, but hadn't got around to it yet so the rubber checks sat where I left them from the fit check on the blank.

Anyway, there appears to have been some sort of reaction between the rubber checks and whatever white <paint> was used on these blanks (AI2SO3?) to cause this yellow/rust colored staining - anyone know what could have caused the rusting/staining? I tried cleaning it off with iso, with only marginal results.

It shouldn't be a big deal since the stains should be hidden once I put the new checks in place where I originally intended, but the staining has me concerned as to how susceptible these blanks might be to discoloration if left in contact say with a hook. Maybe all blanks are just as susceptible, just not as noticeable?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/29/2012 08:16AM by Steven Libby.

Any number of things could have leeched out of the rubber rings and into the blank paint. White would certainly show this to a much greater degree than dark colors would.

If you still have one blank un-built, you could always use the butt area to test for reactions with various items or products. Not all paint used on rod blanks is the same. Some are more durable or resistant to this type of thing than others.

...............

If you epoxied the check in place maybe it's excess glue that UV turned rust colored?

No, no epoxy...

Everything rubber a has an oil base to it, whether natural or petroleum, and with black rubbers it is usually petroleum

What has happened is that he oil has leached out of the rubber winding check absorbing into the paint finish.
Unfortunately for you is that it is now permanent unless you wish to remove the finish.

I have a rod that i built and used two rubber winding checks, both of them have slight brown staining in the thread finish. Always puzzled me what caused it. Thanks for posting steve.