Hello all, I'd like to thank all of you who have been so helpful providing tips to helping a buddy out fixing his first build errors. I've gotten to the point now the the guides have been removed as well as all of the epoxy that was spread along the length of the blank. The epoxy came off surprisingly easy, FYI the plastic butter knife was the best tool I could find for the job. As far as I can tell, there's no damage to the blank, however there is a few spots that look a little scuffed. The blank is a Phenix Titan popping rod, which claims to be built from Toray's multi composite materials, blended together with a "secret sauce" resin. I'm a little concerned about sanding the blank and applying a permagloss, if there is a factory finish on this blank it is very thin and very matte, I just don't want to irreversibly damage the blank. If anyone can please provide some tips to properly sanding the blank (if recommended) prior to applying the permagloss it would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

If it is just a few scratches and you just need the smooth it up use a 1000 - 2000 grit wet/dry paper and wet sand it . Does not take a lot to smooth it out. This wet/dry paper is almost like buffing and will not remove graphite or damage the blank, but will give you a good base for the Permagloss to adhere to. Finish is basically cosmetic so it's removal will not effects the rods performance. The Permagloss will give you a very nice and durable finish.
Norm

even though there is a factory finish to the blank I would still take a scotch brite pad and lightly scuff it from bottom to top by doing that you might eliminate the scuffs you have if they aren't to deep and will give you a good bond with the perma gloss.
all so I had mentioned this once before to hit the home improvement store and invest a couple of bucks in an artificial lambs wool floor finish pad to apply the perma gloss you can cut off a piece of it and soak it so that you get full and even coverage I bought one back 5 years ago and still have more than half of it left but it worked so well for me so I share this with the community.

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

I have been using round cosmetic foam sponges with good success, but the fake lambs wool finishing pad sounds intriguing. I think I will give it a try to see how it compares to other methods I have used over the years.
Norm

Norm if you wet the lambs wool pad enough and you can do it in 1 stroke from top to bottom and cover the total diameter of the blank with out streaking or runs

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

Dane,
There is another very good option for you on this build.
Go ahead and remove all of the finish and do a final sand of the blank with first 600 and then 1200 wet and dry sand paper used wet.
Then, go ahead and build the rod as you wish.

After the rod has been built, just put a coat of wax on the blank and you will have a wonderful rod that will end up being lighter since there will be no finish on the blank.

Several manufacturers have been doing this for a long time and they are really great rods.

Good luck

Dane,
As usual, great suggestions from three veteran builders. However, if you are attempting to maintain a factory looking finish, I would consider using Roger’s approach first; just don’t get carried away with the wet-or-dry. If your Titan is similar to my Black Diamond Hybrid, PG will produce a shinier surface than the original, not mirror-like glossy but shinier none the less. A coat or two of quality PURE CARNUBA wax after everything is wrapped will blend away many imperfections. Keep us posted.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Polishing compound on a rag and a lot of elbow grease will give you a shiny finish with very little chance of damaging the blank.