What is the best way to go when stripping old graphite rod to the bare blank? Removing the paint and all.

I use a citrus paint stripper, if you are going to bare blank you should have no evidence of prior guides, etc. when done. I end up with minor scraping to do also, but not much.

Hello Ryan.

I do pretty much the same as Spencer.

I take a razor and cut the guides off by cutting on top of the foot so as to not damage the blank and peel off the guides and as much of the thread and epoxy as I can, and then use the stripper.
It depends on how much paint is on it, it might take more than one application of the stripper.

Have Fun.

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

I looked it up and found something called "Citristrip" that can be found at Walmart. Is this something that will work at removing old paint and finish? And how do you use the citrus paint stripper?

I already know how to remove old guides; I use the same method already described here. Hopefully this method of using citrus paint stripper will be just as easy and effective?

I use Citri-Strip myself and let it sit overnight, a few applications may be needed. It's a messy job. A scotchbrite pad helps a great deal. It has been stated on this forum that no common paint remover will harm blanks. I have no desire to test this theory.

Ryan,
Or, as long as you are careful, a heat gun works really well to assist in removing the paint.
Particularly in the tip area, be sure to avoid over heating the blank or you will damage it permanently.

Otherwise, just use gentle heat and a single edge razor blade.
Always hold the razor blade at 90 degrees to the blank when scraping That will avoid the issue of getting into the blank and slicking off some of the graphite. Rather simply hold the razor blade at right angles or at 90 degrees to the blank and a simple back and fort scraping with the use of heat to soften the paint and primer will quickly remove the paing.

Then, I take a 5 gallon pail and put in a couple of gallons of warm water and start with 150 or 200 grit wet and dry paper and use it to start the graphite polish. Then, go on up to 320, 400, 600 and 800 grit paper.

The entire process from start to finish is generally less than an hour. Often, the entire process only takes 30 minutes.

The end result is a baby smooth polished blank that will not need any finish added back to the blank which simply adds weight to the blank.

Also, with no paint on the blank, the finish will never get scratched, since there is no finish to scratch up.

Best wishes