I'm refinishing a heavy offshore rod for a friend and have to strip the paint off the wooden handles. What is the best way to repaint the handles; including priming, painting, and any protective coating?

Same as with most wood items I would think. Most boat type rods with wood handles were finished over bare, sanded wood with a type of clear varnish or these days polyurethane. Look for an exterior gloss kind for outdoor furniture. I've had good luck with those products on wood boat rod handles.

Mark,

Another option is to simply use a couple of coats of thread coating epoxy finish. Nice finish with nice results:

Here is a picture of some ice rod handles that I turned down and are on the drum dryer for drying after being coated with a couple of coats of thread coating finish.

Apply the first coat, sand with 400 grit paper and apply the 2nd coat.

The folks who have the rods love the grips and the finish on them.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Mark:
I would remove the old finish, with sand paper or bronze steel wool, I finish my wood handles with a good quality clear polyurethane, rather than spraying or using a brush I purchased a large plastic beaker and dip the handle and let them drip dry, I steel wool the handle, and dip again, if needed I repeat the process a third time. The handles look great, I cover the beaker with clear plastic wrap so I can use the polyurethane over and over.


Rich Kline Custom Rods

For wood: Sand lightly with 150. Cut paint qty needed to 50/50. That is your primer coat. Sand lightly 220 (I like using wet/dry paper). Cut paint qty needed to 75/25. That is your first coat. Sand lightly 220. Paint full strength. Sand lightly 220 then 320. Repeat as nessary sanding to grit you like.

If it is pretty wood: Epiphanes, else paint as above suggestions.

a good urethane will be good. use something rated for outdoor or marine use. a spar will darken over time, but be a good protection and can be reapplied if necessary

If you like the wood Permagloss is good also

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks everyone, my buddy is a former Marine and I'm going with that theme. Navy blue handles with red blood pinstripes. Wish me luck.