We found my grandpa's old fishing rod.

It's a Great Lakes Products metal fishing rod. Doesn't look like even in like new condition, that it's any historical artifact of great value. It needs a lot of work. So, I'm looking to refurbish for sentimental value and occasionally take it out for fun. And also protect it so it doesn't deteriorate any further.

I can turn some cork to fix the missing cork on the handle.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

For some FYI, the cork isn't bonded to the rod handle. Just a washer and a screw holds it in place. Also, while not a true square shaft on the handle, it's interesting how they fit a "square peg into a round hole" to keep the cork from rotating on the handle.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

The bigger question is that the blank is showing a lot of rust spots. (Also, the picture shows how in the old days on the farm, just fix the guide wraps that were starting to fall apart by using some tape).

[www.rodbuilding.org]

What do you use to clean up the rust spots and keep it from rusting further? Or any other comments on refurbishing this old gem.

The rod is old enough to be metal, but new enough to have thread wraps for the guides.

The guides need to be rewrapped. What's best to keep the vintage look for the thread wraps, permagloss or a very thin coat of epoxy?

Thanks,
Ray

Thanks for sharing these pictures. I’ve considered restoring an old metal rod or two, but have never done it. My thought is that the best approach could be to just stabilize everything from the effects of corrosion and make it a display piece. For me, the historical stories it tells is more valuable than reducing those by fixing it up enough to use.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/2024 02:46AM by Kendall Cikanek.

look at miracle paint for cars to stop the rust.

Kendall X2.

I had to restore one just last month...
I replaced the cork on the handle and just hit the rust spots with 3M green scotch bright.
The guides were wrapped with metal wire...so I just left them alone.
The rod was going on wall...so just kept it looking old.

Thanks for the ideas.

First shot I'll try scotch bright and some auto wax. See how that comes out.

Luckily the missing guide was in the bottom of the "tackle box" underneath a Bass-Oreno and a Keeling Tom Thumb lure in their taped up original boxes.


[www.rodbuilding.org]