I have an old Abu Veritas blank that I'm stripping. What is the best way to remove their "yellowed" finish and what type of paint or product can I repaint it with before rebuilding?

Thanks,
Rick Elrod

I use Citri-Strip and Scotchbrite to strip blanks. Can't help with the repainting part.

Doesn't need any, go with Lynn's approach. If you most the sky's the limit, just about anything works, I used to use the cans of automotive touch up enamel back in the day. Clear coat over.

Answered my own question. Paint stripper on the heavy stuff scraped with a Popsicle stick. Followed up with 180 grit then 320 since I had some here. Will probably run some 5-600 over it and call it done. Looks great bare. Took about 1.5 hrs I'm guessing

After you have stripped the blank and built the rod, some folks will take wax and wax the parts of the rod that do not have rod parts or wraps on the blank to give a touch of shine to the raw blank.

Don't put wax on the blank before you build the rod or you will have issues with glues and thread finish.

Good luck

I sometimes use marbling pigment mixed in my favorite moisture curing urethane (@#$%^) and wipe the blank to slightly tint it. This looks pretty good as you can still see the graphite through the tint.

I have recently stripped several Veratas blanks in the past few months, and used a utility knife as a stripper. Hold blade at 90 degrees to the blank and scrape, this will quickly and efficiently remove the paint, with the paint coming off in little curlyques, similar to planing wood. I then use fine steel wool, or a scotch brite pad, to remove any residual paint streaks. Finally, I wet sand the blank with 800 to 1500 grit wet dry paper. This gives a nice smooth finish. If you like the way it looks leave it and proceed to rewrapping. If you want a little more shine, then clear coat it with Permagloss by quickly wiping on a very thin coat using a PG saturated cosmetic sponge. There are several threads here concerning the application of PG to a blank, just do a search if you are interested. In my opinion PG is an excellent clear coat. It is easy to apply, and gives a very thin, light, smooth and durable finish that will last the life of the rod. If you have additional questions just ask.
Norm

Lynn, would you please give me an example of a moisture curing urethane? I am not familiar

Thanks,
Rick

Permagloss and Lumiseal are both moisture catalyzed polyurethanes. Basically they harden due to the humidity in the air. Thus, they need to be kept in an air tight container or they will harden in the bottle.
Norm

Rick,

I love Perma Gloss. After opening keep the bottle in the refrigerator and it should last a long time.

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

Don,
Just wondering if freezing Perma Gloss would further the life!

Any one done any freezing bulk Perma Gloss to check results?

I use CPXtra, from the D-2 family.

I keep my PG bottle inside an airtight jar containing some desiccant and store it in the fridge. Lasts a long time stored this way. When needed I pour a little PG into a small mixing cup. I don’t use it directly from the bottle.
Norm