For a brand new build, I generally use Xylene. It is easy to use, effective, mixes perfectly with any rod finish but evaporates very quickly and also effectively removes any sort of mark or grease on the rod.

But!!! Before cleaning any rod blank with a solvent, I always test a small part of the blank near the butt of the blank to insure that the solvent will not affect the finish.

However, in recent years, I have migrated to using Windex window cleaner to clean new blanks. I have never found that Windex has ever affected any finish. The Ammonia that is in Windex is a very effective cleaner and great spot remover or skin oil spots on the blank.

I dislike using denatured alcohol to clean blanks because it does not do a good job of finish removal and I have had issues in the past with residue being left on the blank from the alcohol.

Take care

If I have to clean blanks I use U-40 brush cleaner.

I will use elastic bands on bigger rods but use the tape method on the smaller rods. I don't like leaving the tape on long at all. I will use the elastic bands to hold the guides in place if it will be anything longer than an hour. I will then tape when I am ready to wrap. Once enough thread is on the guide foot, off comes the tape.