Especially when it's an older trolling rod coated from tip to butt in sun-baked epoxy finish by the previous builder.

An entire weekend of tedious work removing guides, scraping off epoxy, and I only managed to complete a tiny portion near the butt:



Looks like the work's cut out for me on this one.

chad

Why not start with a new blank. Sounds like it would be much easier for you and less expensive for him.

I've only done this once but it worked well and seems easier than scraping hard epoxy off by hand ...

After the guides and reel seat and handle are removed put the blank in a small diameter PVC tube plugged or capped at the bottom. Then add MEK to cover the blank and let it cook just enough to loosen the finish without damaging the blank. Wipe, scrape or sand the epoxy off. I needed to coat the entire blank with a coat of very thin gloss finish when done. The rebuilt rod held up well in tournament bass fishing.

Chad, Citri-strip works well for softening old finish without harming the blank. Not sure if you're trying to save the paint though. It'll probably need new paint anyway if it's to be white again. Lynn

Hello,

Thanks for info/suggestions on stripping the excess epoxy.

Michael-
A new blank would definitely be easier, but he was adamant about wanting to rebuild this rod for sentimental reasons (it was one of his first). Understandably no one else would touch it, so I took on the project knowing beforehand knowing it would be difficult, but do-able given time and patience.

Doug-
Thanks for sharing, I've never tried using solvents to remove old epoxy. Sounds similar to a paint removal process, given one has the equipment and takes the necessary precautions (MSDS).

Lynn-
Thanks I might give that a try, anything to speed up the process (within reason). Yes, the plan is to paint the blank white again so the original paint will have to be sanded down.

I take a knife and use it as a scraper Don't cut like you are shaping wood 90 Degrees Straight up and scrap it off Looks like an old glass rod
Get as much off as you can then sand it wet with say 400 Lots of water To see what your doing wipe it off with a paper towel
Should take you an hour or two to strip

Bill - willierods.com

Well if you are planning to repaint the rod then go ahead and strip it down. Use a blade held perpendicular to the blank, scrape don't shave. if done properly and carefully the old paint will come off in curly-Qs without harming the graphite (or fiberglass fibers). This takes time but is much faster than what you doing now. After scraping wet sand with 1000 and 2000 grit wet/dry paper to smooth out everything. This will not hurt the blank's fibers, just don't over do it. Wipe down with denatured alcohol, let dry then paint. Use a good quality spray paint, it gives a better finish than a brush. After the paint dries I like to clear coat with perma gloss using a saturated foam brush. The perma gloss is very hard and scratch resistant and will never yellow like epoxy. Make sure to test the paint/perma gloss compatibility on a scrap piece of blank. Hope this helps and good luck!
Norm

If you was it after sanding
Dry it then go over with a scoff pad Gray And then dry it off with a DRY paper-towel so you don't get Fish-eyes

Bill - willierods.com