Getting ready to put finish on my second rod. I am using prokote medium build how do I know its getting
to the guide feet. On my first rod I dabbed finish at entrance to the tunnel.

That's about all you can do. Generally a dot of epoxy applied with a toothpick will settle in and do what needs to be done there.

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Thanks Tom I think I will try the toothpick. On my first rod I didn't even know to worry about it. I did it that way because I was having troubling getting finish behind the eye while the rod was turning.

I know a lot of guys use a finishing motor and apply with the rod turning. While I use the dryer on my power wrapper after finish is applied, I put the rod in "free spool" to apply the finish by hand. I just load my spatula and give the rod a quick spin and I get clean edges and good coverage. I shoot for coverage in 1 spin on the small wraps but will sometimes have to go back and touch up, including getting a bit in the tunnel.

Just sharing my method. You don't have to have a motor to apply finish successfully.

Terry

Try this...

Before applying finish place the rod with the guides straight up. Starting with the butt guide dab a drop of finish on the tip of each guide foot. When finished, repeat. On small rods this may be all it takes. Look under the ring and you will see epoxy coming out of the tunnel. On larger rods you can turn them on their side and dab epoxy on the side of the wrap close to the end of the foot. Do this on both sides of the foot and eventually you will see the epoxy come out of the tunnel.

By doing this toward the tip of the guide foot you are assured that the epoxy has filled the tunnel naturally by wicking itself down the tunnel. It only takes a few minutes, and then you can simply apply epoxy to the wraps to finish the job.

I start at the tip of the guide foot and work back towards the opening, trying not to trap air in the tunnel. I generally use a light finish for the first coat.