just wondering if there is a better way to remove the clearcoat from a rod blank besides just sanding it by hand, which can get tricky sometimes.

Hi Robert,

I just recently stripped the clear coat off a graphite rod using a xacto knife. Held it at approx 45 degree angle and swept it quickly towards me. Worked really well. Only took me about 1 hour and the blank was completely done. Gave it a quick sand with 800 and it looks awesome. Not sure if it's a recommended method but it worked great for me. I also did a fiberglass blank this way and it worked great there to.

Thank You,

Chris Tulk

Knife blade held 90 degrees to the rod blank. Scrape the finish off. Tedious but prevents accidental slicing into the rod. Sanding runs the risk of going too deep and also getting into the outer layers of the rod blank.

I do the same thing with a single edge razor blade.
I generally use a heat gun to heat the finish a bit and soften the finish. It only takes about 10 minutes with a single edge razor and a bit of heat to strip the finish. Then, I follow up with 600 and 800 wet and dry sand paper used wet and sanded the length of the rod.
Only a few minutes sanding puts a nice matt finish on the rod.

The water elininates any sanding dust and then a final rinse and wipe with a paper towel take care of rod clean up.

Be safe

i used back of blade knife or my metal ruler
non sharp metal wont slicing through graphite

I used Citra Strip. Safe non toxic and it did harm the rod blank. Spray it on wait about 30 minutes and it wiped off with a paper towel. I also used this to remove the paint off of a old carrot stick. Had to work a little harder but the blank was awsome when refinished.

How about removing Permagloss?

Citra Strip is the best way to get it off. I never have to scrape the blank with a blade. Like Chuck said, a paper towel to clean it off. I also found Burlap works great also.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

chuck just to be sure i hope you meant "it did no harm to the rod blank"

I have a brand new blank that my customer wants painted white. Right now it is just clear coated. Never having used the Citri Strip are you guys sure there is no harm to the blank ? If not I would like to try it. Or should I just light (600 grit) sand and paint over the clear?

Tom



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/04/2014 10:17PM by Tom Wewerka.

Tom, it wont harm the blank. I'm sure Chuck made a typo. It works on paint and varnish. Wont harm the fibers or resins of the blank.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

J.B. Hunt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tom, it wont harm the blank. I'm sure Chuck made a
> typo. It works on paint and varnish. Wont harm the
> fibers or resins of the blank.


J.B. thanks for the reply. I am going to give it a go.


Tom

my friend just used some "klean strip" and he said it worked good as long as he kept it wet.

Hi Guys

How do you clean the blank after you use the Citri Strip? Just a light 600 or 800 sand?

Thank You,

Chris Tulk

Hello Chris.

I just rinse mine in warm water and let dry completely.


Tight Wraps.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

my friend just used stripper on an old shx blank and said it looks ugly and he can see the graphite threads now. i will investigate tomorrow

An Auto Stripper may be to strong and take the finish coating off ???

Bill - willierods.com