My grandson found a custom rod washed up on the Lake Michigan beach earlier this spring. I know the guy who built the rod, but he's no longer in the area. The reel, guide wraps, and EVA grips were trashed, but the guides, reel seat, and blank are in good shape. The blank is a Forecast fly blank that has been made into an ultralight spinning rod. The blank was a dark blue, but the builder had removed all the finish except under the wraps and where he'd written on the blank, so it's just 90% naked graphite. I want to remove the factory finish that was under the grips and replace the trashed grips with a split grip for my grandson, which would require me to remove the factory finish in those areas. I tried CitriStrip to no avail. Is there a product that will remove the finish without damaging the blank, or do I just sand it?

David,
I just use GENTLE heat and a straight edged razor blade held at 90 degrees to the blank and the finish comes off very easily. Once the finish is off, I will use 600 grit wet and dry sand paper - used wet to give a nice buff finish to the blank.

Take care

Thanks, Roger. That's good advice and what I needed to hear. Stay safe.

Dave Sytsma

David,
2X Roger’s suggestion although you may not need the heat.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

I also do it with the blade without heat. Care and patience!