While working on a new rod I elected to move a couple of guides that I had finished with Thread Master lite. Cut epoxy off top of guide and was able to peel if off as per usual. However in this case there is a layer of finish that was under the thread that does not want to come off. This is a St Croix SCV so I do not want to use any harsh solvent that would also take the finish off. This is a thin layer so I really cannot get a blade under an edge. I am stuck?

You can try warming it with a hairdryer or heat gun (carefully) and then scrapping it off with something like credit card, again very carefully. This much more touchy on a blank with a finish than one left plain.

St Croix Blanks have a relatively soft finish so what you may be seeing is that the original thread actually grooved into the blank finish. You can tell this if it's grooved only where the thread was. It could be the remaining old epoxy finish however.

One trick I use is to soak a paper towel with Denatured alcohol and spin the blank on my rod wrapper. The blank heats up a bit and most of this stuff comes right off. You'll know in a about 15 seconds if this is going to work. The old finish will start to come off, leaving a smooth blank finish underneath. With St. Croix, there is a chance that the blank finish will also come off, as I've had their finish react with alcohol where other manufacturers do not. If this happens, just recoat that section with permagloss and you should be fine.

Terry

Denatured does take the finish off the blank, I tried it. The spots do show grooves but it looks like the area is raised. I did not think about this being a raised finish but you may be spot on. Wonder if I could buff these smooth?

If the original St Croix finish is effected by the DNA there is not much you can do to make look like it isn't effected.The St Croix finish is easily effected by most solvents, some even remove the finish rapidly.