I'm working on a rod with an EVA fighting butt. I put at least a 1/8" layer of masking tape over it before I put it in the lathe, and thought I was being careful not to over-tighten, but apparently I did, as the jaws left minor indents in the EVA. It's been a day since I removed the tape, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. This is a donation rod for an event on June 24th, so I don't have much time to wait if I need to order another. Will this bounce back? I'd try sanding it a bit, but because it's the butt, I have no way to turn it.
Any advice would most appreciated!

Warm it up with a hair dryer.

maybe steaming it from a kettle or pot..

x10 on the use of heat.
When this happens, as Ben pointed out, I simply rotate the rod in the steam from a tea pot and the dents come out rather quickly.

Good luck

You might want to consider setting up and using the bottle adapters I submitted and Tom published in Rod Maker 'magazine. You never have to deal wit such problems again, as you 'never have to put the grips in the chuck jaws again.

Steam worked! Thanks a million for the help!!!
Paul...can you elaborate on the bottle adapters you referred to, or maybe the issue of Rod Maker I can find the information in?
Thanks again, guys!

The adapters are in Rod Maker Volume 20- issue 2 . I used 1oz., 2oz. and 4oz. bottles that I save from epoxy, color preserver. brush cleaner. Chuck the bottle cap/ with bottle attached in the lathe and cut off the bottom and clean out the bottle. Just for reference I mark a ring around the bottle about a half inch below the shoulder of the now bottomless bottle. Next I cut four slits up the side of the bottle, bottom to ring. At the top of each slit I take a hole punch and punch a hole just below the top of the slit. This it allows the plastic to fold more easily conforming to the grip. To hold the bottles in place I use 3"x1/4" rubber bands. On hard butts such as plastic, aluminum or wood, I put a rubber band on the butt under the adapter and one over the adapter for better grip. On foam and cork the adapter with a rubber band over the adapter is likely all that is needed.

I have a very simple solution to your issue with depressions on the eva foam from the grip of a chuck.

Take blue masking tape that is 1/1/2 inches or 2 inches wide. Put on about 20 wraps on the butt of the grip.

Then, chuck the wrapped up rod butt into the lathe chuck and do your worst. When completely done with the rod, remove the blue tape and you will find there are no marks or depressions on the eva. +

The blue masking tape is low tack and will not leave any residue behind on the eva after its removal.

Good luck