Is it necessary to scuff a blank before putting on handles, seats, or guides?

If and when is underwrapping a guide needed?

CP Yea or Nay?

Does anyone brand their rods? If so how do you do it?

Thanks for the insight this group seems to have about 5000 years of collective knowledge.

"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles." -Doug Larson

1/ scuffing good idea to create a water free break surface (also increases surface area slightly) under handles & seats - not a good idea under guides as it serves no real purpose
2/ hardly ever unless you are looking at a very heavy class rod.
3/ CP will give you some options on final thread color / sparkle. to each his/her own best to do a test wrap for your self to see the result of using / not using.
without CP nylon will tend to become clear (look more like coloring in the final epoxy especially with size A thread. with CP nylon will retain more of it's original color
and "sparkle" more than NCP (no color preserver thread)
4/ "brand" not sure what you mean. if you mean 'put my name on it" = customer decision

Just my opinions

Thank you Ken! Great info!

Tom did a recent video on the scuffing topic.

Here is the link below

[www.youtube.com]

Flex Coat Company
Professional Rod Building Supplies
www.flexcoat.com

I've never thought about scuffing a blank for the purpose of bonding, just wipe it down with DNA to get any oils off. I usually under wrap everything but I usually build higher class rods, even though I did just rewrap a st croix and didn't use under wrap. CP is necessary for nylon if you don't want the thread to change color/darken.

Not necessary in the wrap areas, but most definitely necessary in the area where you will mount your handle components. Check the online library here for information on proper surface preparation.

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