I have a rod I built several years ago that has been used very heavily ever since. It has on it a wood slide ring seat(struble D-2)well, now it seems that the varnish or whatever it is on it is flaking off and the wood is getting sort of grey. is there anything I can do to rejuvnate it? I hate to cut it off and replace it as it is on a 2-wt pac-bay blank and is glued very well, and I don't want to risk ruining the rod.

Hi jnail,

Just a polite reminder, we use real names on this board.

Refinishing a reel seat is not too big of a job. I would suggest first masking off the metallic parts with Scotch tape or with masking tape, thenlightly steelwooling with 4/0. To refinish, use some Tru-Oil. Tru-Oil is a very thin rubbing varnish made for gunstocks. You can get it at nearly any sporting goods store, and many times at your local Walmart. Just follow the directions on the jar. It's nearly foolproof.

Good luck,
Harry

Harry, I believe his name is Jeff Nail. Thus, JNail.

I also agree with the Tru-Oil. Good stuff and pretty darn weather resistant.

thanks harry, for the advice, I will try the tru-oil, and yes, it is jeff nail, and Tom says its ok to use an initial and a last name