Ryder Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 Hi Raiders I’m doing up my old Butterworth ‘Rockhopper’, the old varnish is chipped and a little flaky. What is the best way to remove it without damaging the blank. Do I need to remove it all before I recoat it. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Hornet Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 I’ve rebuilt/repaired a hell of a lot of rods and I’ve found the best way to remove the old varnish is to gently rub the blank with a blunt knife, like an old butter knife, holding it at 90 degrees to the blank. This scrapes the varnish away without effecting the harder fibreglass, even on the profile of an unsanded blank. Once the varnish is removed, you can either give the rod an epoxy wash, which is a thinned binding epoxy applied with a lint free cloth over the entire blank, or a good rub with a cut polish. Personally, I prefer the polish. Its a bit more work, but gives a better result IMO. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazamcstaga Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 +1 Blunt knife works well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campr Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 I also have scraped off in the past as well as a light sand. I haven't found it necessary to remove all varnish if its sound, just the flakey bits but you have to feather any edges if you want a good finish. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillie Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 The epoxy wash works great, it is 3 parts metho to 1 part rod epoxy I put it on with my fingers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryder Posted May 30, 2021 Author Share Posted May 30, 2021 Thanks guys, next question If I do the epoxy do I need to hang it or can I just leave it in the rod dryer and maybe come back and touch up the points where the rod touches the supports Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Hornet Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 1 hour ago, Ryder said: Thanks guys, next question If I do the epoxy do I need to hang it or can I just leave it in the rod dryer and maybe come back and touch up the points where the rod touches the supports Being thinned, I find it dries pretty quick and doesn't really want to run, so I wait for a calm, sunny day and stand the blank vertically outside. I've never had an issue with bugs landing on it and getting stuck to date. Whether sitting in a piece of PVC tube or over a dowel, depends on if the butt section is still in place or not. If a total rebuild is on the cards, I prefer not to epoxy the area where the grips and reel seat will go. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryder Posted June 2, 2021 Author Share Posted June 2, 2021 Thanks, the epoxy wash is done. Smooth in some areas then a little grainy in others. Would a light sand and redo help? Im not going for a full rebuild just a bit of a renovation. I’m keeping the original cork grips, reel seat and I will probably reuse the original Fuji B&W guides adding underbind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Hornet Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 13 hours ago, Ryder said: Thanks, the epoxy wash is done. Smooth in some areas then a little grainy in others. Would a light sand and redo help? I don't see how it could hurt, so give it a go I reckon. The only problem I could see is with the epoxy being designed to remain flexible, it may clog the sandpaper, but no biggie, just use more paper. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryder Posted June 4, 2021 Author Share Posted June 4, 2021 Thanks heaps for the advice, second coat worked a treat. I’m really happy with the result. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryder Posted June 13, 2021 Author Share Posted June 13, 2021 All done. A couple of before and after pics. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 15 minutes ago, Ryder said: All done. A couple of before and after pics. Some fine looking resto work there Ryder 👌 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackfish Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 Very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Hornet Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 Looks the goods Ryder. Nice job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burger Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 Looks great Ryder! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wazatherfisherman Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 Great resto- looks like the original rod but underbound now as well- probably last another 40yrs 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryder Posted June 15, 2021 Author Share Posted June 15, 2021 Thanks for the replies and the advice. I’m really happy with the result, and it’s a bit of fun. Just can’t rush the process. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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