Thanks fellas. I had such good results on my first post I'm back.
I'm about to install EVA foam grips for the first time. In reading up on the Q&A section and other info sources I'm a bit unsure as to being prepared. I have a few questions that would appreciate comments on.

Any more sources for info on this task.
What epoxy works best on a fiberglass blank?
Does epoxy help lube / slide grip in place? I hope so..
Grip sizing 0.802 Butt / 5/8" Grip ID - is grip too small?
Should a solvent be used to soften grip?

Thanks
Sam

Hi Sam,

I've only done this a couple of times but this is a secret passed onto me by a professional rodbuilder and it has worked wonders for me.

1. Get a 2 foot pvc pipe that is slightly larger than the diameter of the rod butt.

2. Ream a bit off the inside of the grip where you begin to slide it down so that there will always be a bead of bond when it is being pushed down.

3. Mix more rod bond than necessay, better to waste a bit of bond than to have the grip stuck halfway.

4. Coat MORE of the bond on the rod than the rest of the blank especially near the UPPER part of the rod where the grip first falls onto and roll the grip a bit so as much bond is coated on the INSIDE of the grip as possible. Try to coat the blank EVENLY with bond all the way to the bottom.

5. Position the blank upright and slide the pvc tube on the the front of the grip and grip the pvc pipe HARD AND PUSH AS HARD AS POSSIBLE AND DON'T STOP TILL YOU GET TO THE END!!!!!!!!!

Optional part, in between part 3 and 4, put the grip into the microwave for about 45s and once it is out, pour a bit of thinner into it making it more slippery. Not really necessay cus thinner might damage it a bit.

Hope this helps.

Dillon

Sammy, this works for me. Got if from this forum and enough EVA to know it works.

"What epoxy works best on a fiberglass blank?"
Rod Bond.

"Does epoxy help lube / slide grip in place? I hope so.."
Definately.

"Grip sizing 0.802 Butt / 5/8" Grip ID - is grip too small?"
Should be perfect. Grip ID should stretch to almost double.

"Should a solvent be used to soften grip?"
No.

Measure grip length. Stand the rod upright. Drop the grip down the blank. Mark the spot where the grip stops. Remove grip. Apply Rod Bond slightly longer than the grip on the blank from two inches above that mark toward the tip. Drop the grip onto the epoxy and spin it to coat the ID of the grip. Grasp top of grip with thumb and forefinger creating a seal, and slide it down to within a few inches of final position. If you're pushing Rod Bond, no need to add more, but it won't hurt anything. Measure grip length. Grasp bottom of grip and stretch it back to its original length. Adjust as necessary. If you got any Rod Bond on grip (you will), now's the time to clean it off with alcohol.

If you'll follow the steps outline on the FAQs page, you'll have no trouble at all installing your grip. What Dale has outlined is pretty much it.

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

And if you ever find that it is too hard to get that grip all the way down, heat it in some boiling water for a few minutes and it'll stretch like crazy. I use a 16" length of 2½" PVC pipe, capped on one end and the cap glued to a 6" square of 2x6. I put a 6 ounce sinker on top of the grip, pour in the boiling water, go mix my Rod Bond, and by the time I'm finished applying the Rod Bond to the blank, the grip is all soft and flexible. The water does not hurt a thing.

Jim

Does the grip deform from that hot water? I actually prefer installing hard grips, since they don't compress while sliding down teh blank. The hard EVA will stretch just fine with proper lubrication. For me at least.

Just stay away from using acetone as a lubricant , it will harm your finnish on teh blank . John Henry !

I go slightly different than the methods mentioned above. This is a method used by Ian Miller. 1. Drop your grip onto the blank. Mark where it stops. 2. Coat the blank with bands of glue (I use 24 hour Araldite you probably have something along the same lines). 3. Take your grip and place one palm over the bottom of the tube and pour in some Methylated Spirits (denatured alcohol). Swish it around the inside of the grip. Pour the remainder back into the bottle. 4. As quickly as possible place your grip back on to the blank and using the thumb and forefinger grip forcefully slide the grip into position. I have found that the white spirit very quickly evaporates and does not affect the consistancy of the glue. I have used this method for quite a few years and never had a grip come loose or bind up before it gets into position.