hi guys. I have a favorite uncle that is very close to me. he is 97 and in hospice, was an avid fisherman all his life. I want to send the family a rod I built to be placed in his casket IF they agree. I want to sign etc the rod and coat that before I send it to the family (his kids, my cousins). the rod is a light spinning rod, several years old, never used, my "flagship" rod. I sell a few every year where I live. mesquite handles from my backyard. ANYWAY.... my thought is to clean the space to be signed w/rubbing alcohol, make sure it is bone dry, sign it and coat it. yes/no? I don't have much time so would love to get some quick responses. also....shipping. when I ship a rod I wrap it in newspaper and stick it in a PVC tube and seal both ends. that how you pros do it? any suggestions appreciated!

THANKS

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2014 05:47PM by roger wilson.

all I see is a blank page for the reply from roger Wilson. am I missing something?

I made a suggestion, but changed my mind and erased my comment.

Be safe

well.........would still like to hear it! I have a thick skin. could you PM it to me?

I scuff it with scotch brite then sign it with testors model paint. Let dry and finish.

I also scuff it slightly with a scotch brite pad, wipe it with denatured alcohol, sign it with Speedball acrylic ink and a calligrapher's pen, let dry, coat it with a coat of your favorite epoxy finish. Depending on the diameter of the rod at it's widest point, usually where your largest guide is, you can either ship it in a PVC tube with caps on each end, or a 4" diameter cardboard tube with caps.Cardboard tubes can be hard to find and can be expensive. I enclose the rods I ship in foam pipe insulation with masking tape, leaving ~3" extra at the top which I bend over and tape to protect the tip top. You can then use whatever you like to take up the space around the rod so it doesn't rattle around inside the tube. Tape the caps on with nylon filament tape. Usually, if it doesn't move around it doesn't get damaged unless the baggage monkeys use it for a javelin.

thank you! I build a few rods (40)? a year but don't sign em/ship em so needed the advice. about the scuffing slightly? I do that too to the blank before rod bonding on the handles but it generally leaves a dull finish. that won't show up on the signed part of the blank? was told on the phone last night when told about the rod he really lit up. I had knee surgery last week or I might have gone seen him. anyway, thanks again.

Once you put finish on it shines back. up..

scuff; sign; cover with thread epoxy & call it 'all good'