I typically don't do any surface prep to my guide wraps prior to CP and finish. Have a "clean" work area for the most part and tend to get rods finished withing in a day or two of wrapping. I got a build that is wrapped and sitting unfinished. Been busy doing other things. One of those things was changing furnace filter. Also shop vac all the areas I can reach. Well did that shutoff the shop vac off and it hit me. Unfinished rod is on the bench about eight feet from the exhaust of the shop vac. Son of.... I am sure I stirred way more things up than any of my builds has ever seen. Fortunately it is a dark thread. But still want to take a extra step to try and remove as many possible imperfections prior to finishing. So wonder what is safe and thorough that won't cause finish issues? Just go easy and dust it, maybe canned air? Or some type of tack cloth?

I have used tack cloths from the hardware store with good success. I would blow it off outside, then finish with the tack cloth LIGHTLY over the surface.

Michael,
I have used this on virtually all of my builds with 0 problems.

I use Blue 3-M masking tape to tack off all wraps before applying finish.

I have found that air does not do it. A brush does not do it.

I have also tried a standard painters tack cloth with bad effects.

But, never a problem with Blue 3-m low tack masking tape to tack off the wraps before applying finish.

p.s.

If you don't already have - purchase a roll of U-Line poly bags. This is a roll of bagging material that comes in various widths.

I use this material to use when shipping all of my finished rods. I use an electric impulse sealer which melts the plastic bag together to form a seal at each end of the bagging material.

I used to use different sizes, but now only use the size that will enclose either casting rods and guides as well as spinning rods and guides.

--
The point of the statement, is that if one is going to complete the wraps on a rod, but know that it is going to be a long time before the wraps will be coated - then insert the completed - wrapped rod in one of the poly bags for as long as necessary until one gets back to applying finish on the rod. Without finish on a rod, there is a small possibility that the guides might be slightly misaligned during the insertion and removal from the bag - but - one should always double check the guide and tip top alignment - immediately before applying any thread wrap finish to be 100% sure that all guides are perfectly aligned with the reel seat and the tip top of the rod. If the plastic tubing is left several inches longer than the completed, but uncoated rod, one can take a couple of folds int he tubing at each end of the rod and keep it closed with a clip, a paper clip, a chip clip or my favorite - a clothes pin. No dust will enter to contaminate a newly wrapped rod before applying finish.

U-Line products for storage and shipping of uncompleted, as well as completed rods:

[www.uline.com]

[www.uline.com]

p.s.
If one searches the on-line @#$%& sites or other "for sale" outlets, one can often find used, but perfectly good impulse-sealers at a good discount that will last for many more years of low volume use.

That is great info Roger. Thank you. I am making a move soon and it will be a little while before my new shop is ready. This bag sealing will work great for the rods I have wrapped and back burnered for holiday builds.

A.P.

No need to use an elephant gun on a squirrel. Just blow it off. Or knock it off with a soft brush like the one you use for applying finish. Tape, tack rags, etc, aren't necessary and only increase the chance that you're going to wind up with something far worse than dust on your wraps.

...................

A Swiffer duster may work. It collects dust via electrostatic forces. No chemicals or adhesive involved. I use them for dusting my work bench and getting rid of causal dust.
Norm

Michael,
We all know (probably experienced) how fragile the beginning tag or tie-off tag can be, even if only rarely. Sometimes those tucked-under tags just seem to go “boink” for no apparent reason. All of the above recommendations involve some sort of risk to the bare wraps, so whatever you do, do it very cautiously, gently, diligently!!!
I must say that, yet again, Norman offered a POSSIBLY very good idea. I have not tried it so cannot attest to its effectiveness but a Swiffer may be just the ticket. I have assumed Swiffers relied on an oil, paraffin or similar which would obviously be a big NO NO in this case. But if in fact they function solely electrostatically, a Swiffer could be the best dust removal method available.
Your “canned air” is a good idea also, as long as it is very low pressure. But just blowing the wraps can cause static electricity on the surface.
In the future, Roger’s skinny bags would be very hard to beat.

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

I have tried most of the suggestions, but I still come back to the blue painters tape from 3-m

Simply put, the tape works for me, and most of the other suggestions don't work for me.

But, in any event, use what ever method works for you and your rod building dusting issues.

Just make sure you have the correct # blue painter's tape. All are not equal. For more info, run a search.

Michael,
I think Lynn is referring to this link; it is kind of long but hopefully informative.
[www.rodbuilding.org]

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