Fellow Rod Makers:
So far I have stayed away from repair of rods, except for a very few and labored over removal of the old guides without any input from others. I am going to have to do some repair, namely changing guides and I need to know two things. First, what is the best method of removing them. when I did it I used a safety razor blade to get the old finish off and it was a difficult and time consuming job. Second, how do you all charge for guide replacement (for one and for all the rods guides). I would sure appreciate your input.

Thanks
Kerry

Kerry: I use an alcohol torch to warm up the old epoxy finish and then use a single edged razor blade to cut the thread. Do this along the guide foot only. When you start to unwrap the thread, the epoxy just flakes off. A piece of those artificial scouring pads will clean up the little bit of finish remaining on the blank. They come in different degrees of coarseness. Use the least abrasive. I have found that the blank doesn't have to be super smooth to accept new wraps. John

Try a hair dryer to soften epoxy, peel off the thread and residue is easily removed with alcohol or acetone. Beware of using acetone on a painted blank like some of the St.Croix models however.

I use a cig. lighter. and pop off the finish with my finger

John, Jim, Bob. thank you very much for your suggestions concerning the removal of old guides for repair. If anybody else has their own pet way they remove guides I would like to hear about it to help develope my own method to do this. I know one has to be very careful when applying heat to soften the finish so as not to delaminate the blank. Have you experienced this problem?