Friends:

I'm about to strip down a number of rods to freshen the guides and looks. The issue is preparation of the blank prior to rewrapping new guides.

In the past I have had mixed success in recoating the blank. The finished results have been lumpy or if smooth have scratched or chipped away quickly with only slight knocks and scrapes.

The rods in question are Calstar Graphiters with a shiny finish. Most have flex coat on the wraps, and a couple have pro kote.

Once I get down to a sanded blank, what's the current practice for best finish and material to apply?

Thanks in advance!

Philip

I only use U40 Perma Gloss when I coat/recoat a bare unpainted blank. If you chose this route, make sure your in a well ventilated area.

Phillip,
U40 Perma Gloss, as Shawn suggested, is pretty much the industry standard. Apply to the sanded blank with a very fine, open cell foam pad; cosmetic pads work very well. Some builders use coffee filters which may be a good idea also, although I have not tried them.
While PG may be widely used, it is not as bullet-proof as many suggest; it will chip. Nonetheless, PG is what I use.
If money is of no concern, I think the best would be to employ an auto body shop to spray a 2-part, catalyzed automotive clear with the additional flex additive they use on today’s cars' soft bumpers. But you would also have to supply a fixture to hold the blank. It is no wonder why PG is so popular.

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

Do rod finishes provide any physical (versus visual) benefit to a rod blank?

Phillip,
For all of the rods that I have stripped and rebuilt, I have never applied any finish at all over the sanded blank.
Once the finish has been stripped of all thread wrap, paint and primer so that one is down to the bare material, I continue sanding with finer and finer grades of sand paper down to 1200 grit paper.
Then, I do a final rub down with a good non coated polishing cloth for a nice soft sheen and start the rebuild.

With no finish on the rod blank above the actual materials used in the construction of the blank, there is no finish to nick or scratch.

Over the years there have been literally thousands of rods sold as production rods - with 0 finish on the bare blank.

One very notable example of this type of rod are the wonderful IMX line of rod blanks by G Loomis. Nary a particle of finish applied to these fine rod blanks.

Your rods, your choice.

Best wishes.

CPXTRA

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)