Hi all - long time lurker, first time posting here. I've learned a lot from the site and was hoping I could get some input on an issue I'm having with a current build.

I'm building a 6'6" 2 weight fiberglass rod for a friend and on the butt section there's a blemish that appears to be underneath the clear coat. Looks like there was a piece of tape that when removed it left some adhesive residue that they didn't clean off and then proceeded to coat right over it.

Any suggestions how I can fix it? I was hoping that it might line up with a guide so I could just hide it with a wrap but it's a considerable distance from any guides.

Thanks!

Is it close enough to a significant length measurement from the butt of the rod or top of the grip that you could wrap a measurement marker in the neighborhood and possibly place a decal nearby to finish hiding the blemish?

Sean ,
Just put a very short decorative or blended wrap over the area. To create a balanced look you could put an additional one further up the rod as well.

Take care

Thanks for the replies. I thought about the wrap idea but I'm afraid it'll look funny.

Maybe like Roger said I'll do a blended wrap. I'm thinking black thread with a few thin coats of spar might blend into the gloss black blank nicely.

I was also thinking about adding a guide to the area to make it more "natural" looking. Would adding a guide harm anything?

I should also mention I'm building this rod for free, since I owe my friend a few favors.

Have you thought about returning it for a "clean" blank?
Herb

How far up from the end of the grip is the blemish? When you position the guides and grip is it on the underside or the upward more visible side of the blank?

You could always get thread that matches the blank color and wrap some in that area and epoxy. Other possiblities depending on location could be hookkeeper; decal, rod length and weight, owner's name, etc.

Or just don't worry about it as rods tend to get scuffed and nicked over time. Or only address the issue if your friend finds fault with the blem.

How far up from the end of the grip is the blemish? When you position the guides and grip is it on the underside or the upward more visible side of the blank?

You could always get thread that matches the blank color and wrap some in that area and epoxy. Other possiblities depending on location could be hookkeeper; decal, rod length and weight, owner's name, etc.

Or just don't worry about it as rods tend to get scuffed and nicked over time. Or only address the issue if your friend finds fault with the blem.

The blemish is about halfway between the stripping guide and the first snake guide.

Sean,
While Joe’s and Roger’s suggestions are good ones, due to the blemish being between the stripper and next guide, a thread wrap may not look proper. If the blank is NOT painted but only a clear coat over the raw blank, using a razor blade held 90* to the blank to scrape through the clear and remove the underlying blemish will work well. After removing the blemish, feather the edge of the clear with wet 600 grit wet-or-dry paper, then lightly scuff the blank between the two guides with a grey ScotchBrite pad and apply one or two coats of Perma Gloss. Although it may seem a bit scary, drastic times deserve drastic measures. Good luck!

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

Mark, sadly the blank is painted. I was thinking something along the same lines though.

Anyways, the verdict is in - my friend said to leave it "it adds character".

Thanks for all the replies and ideas, I'll remember them for future builds.

Its a freebee. Freebees may have blemishes. Your friend is right, it adds character. Sometimes messing with it just makes it worse anyway.

Its a freebee. Freebees may have blemishes. Your friend is right, it adds character. Sometimes messing with it just makes it worse anyway.

That far up the blank it would just leave it alone.