Evidently my grandson got in my room last night touched a rod
I was finishing. The guide I can fix, but the cured finger prints are a
problem. It is a glossy finish rod. I have tried de-natured alcohol and
acetone with no results. If it was my rod I would let it ride, but is a
customer build. I am sure someone has had this issue?

I have had this happen before. Gently heat the finger print with a hair drier or a heat gun, be careful with the heat gun. This should soften the epoxy and allow you to remove it with your finger nail or a hard wood scraper. Do not use a metal scraper because it will scratch the underlying finish. Most clear coats are not epoxy so they are not effected by the added heat. Should come off fairly easily.
Norm

your grandson gave me an idea...i think i,ll e-poxy my thumb print on all my rods as proof of ownership. lol.

Tell the buyer it's signed and ready for pick up.

capt...that,s funny!

well if they aren't to deep then just add a lite cost of finish and they will disappear

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

Use a wooden popsicle stick to abrade the finger prints after some gentle heat. Once its broken down, denatured alcohol should soak in and clean it right off after a few repetitions.

good luck

John,
At the risk of sounding insensitive or uncaring, I may be inclined to agree with Ben. Your grandson may have just inadvertently started a new “Signature Series” for us rod builders. Seriously, there are possibilities here. It has got me thinking (Oh, no, not again).

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

hi mark..i was thinking a little more on this and came up with some ideas such as an ink print covered with e-poxy or an e-poxied decor wrap with a thumb print on it but most people would probably just prefer their name on the rod...i would.

Wasn't even a viable solution to the OP's original question

Ron Weber

Ben, you are probably correct, but I really like the idea, possible others with a twisted thinking process similar to mine as well.
John, please thank your grandson for me!!!

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

I guess this kinda got off kilter a little. I guess making light of the situation is good medicine. This is an inshore rod. In place of me
heating the marks and blank, I am going place a fish measuring mark and a speckled trout decal. Minimum size in Alabama is 14"
and the prints fall just below that. Will scuff the prints, clean, and fininsh. We'll see how it turns out. Thanks for the input.

Ron, Granted I did not offer a “viable solution” to the “OP’s original question”, but either did you. My remarks are genuine and sincere and at least connected to the original question.
John, while possibly “Making light of the situation” or being “off kilter”, once again, I was genuine and sincere with my remarks. I am very sensitive to others feelings and included “At the risk of sounding insensitive or uncaring” first off in my original reply.
It is not just Ron and John, but others as well. I am fed-up with having to defend myself and comments on this website. I have offered public apologies to overly sensitive members yet continually get ridiculed. Happy wrapping to all, but I am out of here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

Mark, I apologize. Was not trying to offend in any way. Not my intent. I appreciate all comments. Very new to this forum and trying to learn from others. It's just I have not had this happen before, was in panic mode, and surely was hoping
others have had this problem and could offer a solution. Again, thanks for the input.

Mark,

You weren't out of line. Had you been, your post wouldn't have been left up.

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

John,

It is possible that if the fingerprint is just a light one, you may be able to heat it a bit with a hair dryer and possibly slice it off with a plastic butter knife or even your fingernail. Just be careful with the heat. A hair dryer should be easy to control. If you use a bona fide heat gun, be very careful that you don't damage the blank.

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