I'm sure this has been asked many times, but what is the best cleaner before applying epoxy on the rod so I don't get the dimples? Also another question What cleaner to remove the excess epoxy when installing cork handles.

We use an orange cleaner solution that you can get at HD called Zep. It works great and will get the black squeaky clean.

As far as cleaning up uncured epoxy, we like denatured alcohol on a paper towel.

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

Some solvents and cleaners can themselves cause fisheyes. Best bet is to not contaminate the rod to begin with. Clean it out of the package and then don't get anything on it. building and wrapping the rod should not contaminate it.

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I'm almost to the point where I feel I should wear rubber gloves during the process of wrapping the rod

There's no reason to do that. I've never been able to figure out how guys manage to contaminate a rod. The process of building and wrapping it doesn't involve contaminates.

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Tom is, of course, correct that rod building does not involve contaminates or it ought not. Unfortunately, we live in a world larger than the rod bench, and anytime we are interrupted and walk away from the bench there is a risk of contacting a contaminate and bringing it back to the bench. Part of the answer is frequent hand washing. Wash before going or returning to the bench and every hour or so while working.

Well in my workshop are have all sorts of adhesives, cork dust, EVA dust, lubricants being sprayed on reel parts, random fiberglass particles, spray paint, house dust, spray paint, rod blanks rubbing against each other as they are tested out, then put back on the rack. This week it was several reels and a couple oar (for rowing) repair projects. And that's just the fishing part. So without trying really hard...we have contaminants: Chemical and physical. I wish I could have a nice sterile environment, but don't. Mebbe others can.

i've never had a sterile environment in the least. You have to try pretty hard to contaminate a rod blank. Unless you spray a lubricant directly on the rod blank or rub your wraps with fingers encrusted in Cheeto dust, it's generally not a problem.

On to the poster's second question - denatured/solvent alcohol is usually sufficient for epoxy clean up when gluing up handles or cork rings.

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All good answers from veteran builders who have been-there-done-that = listen,acknowledge and apply. This newbie agrees whole-heartedly.

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

In my garage, cheeto dust is a very real, prolific threat

If there are Cheeto's any where in the area - you can be assured that the debris will end up on the rod.

No place for Cheeto's in a rod shop if you want to do good work.

Be safe

Can i eat potato chips ?? LOL nice greasy ones ??

Bill - willierods.com