rod maintenance

[beachbuddy]

Just wondering is there any product out there that can repair and removed the appearance of my profile zippy.Despite wiping it down with a damp cloth after most trips the rod is looking in very poor condition.Alot of the protective coating on the blank from tip to butt is after cracking and is lifting off.
The rod looks 20 years old,i'm not going to go for a rebuild due to costs so basically wondering is there anything i could do myself to try restore the original appearance,but most importantly protect the blank from deteriorating anymore in appearance.
Thanks

[seanie35]

is it an old rod mike and is there cracks near the eyes aswell. im far from being an expert but did rebuild 1 rod, if the epoxy around the eyes is ok you could very lightly sand in between the eyes, give a new lick of paint and re-varnish but im sure someone on here knows the exact method

[AG]

some of the laquer terry has been using recently has been very poor , and easily lifts and scratches . only thing to do would be a rebuild.

[beachbuddy]

Hi Lads,
the rod is just over 18months old so its not ancient.Seanie the eyes are fine apart from the tip eye that has been replaced,but the rest of the blank looks brutal.The rod goes everywhere with me so wear and tear fair enough,but the other rods i use have suffered equal punishment but they look perfect in comparison.
Can extra laquer be applied to cover it up and if so where can i get the right stuff.
Thanks

[Rockhopper]

I just got off the phone to Terry and mentioned this thread to him, he said he's not had any reports from anu of the shops about it and added it could be a multitude of things causing it....I would call him direct if I were you.

As to a fix.....if you go into Halfords and get a spray can of the clear laquier they use on the cars....mask the guides around where the high-build varnish is with tape, give the blank a very light rub just make a key and take any muck off, then you can spay probably 3 coats of the clear laquier to give a good finish.

PM me you number if you like and I will go over the things to remember while your doing it.

Tom.

[petekd]

Would that work on a pretty battered rod too Tom?

[Rockhopper]

If I strip a rod of all the varnish down to the blank, even if I want to paint it a different colour, I use the spray paint from Halfords, think about it this way, since the car makers started to make bumpers etc out of soft plastic or rubber they had to come up with a paint that would flex....ideal for fishing rods too, thank you the clear laquire is flexable also.

Method of spraying.....put a ring of masking tape around the spigot so that paint doesnt get on that area....mark the tape North-South-East and West.....lay the rod on a rack (easy enough to knock up) and spray the North side from spigot to tip end or the revers....you dont need to much at this stage.....turn and do the same along the East side...then the South and finally the West.....let it dry for about 10/20 minutes....then spray between the North and the East sides...repeat between East and South etc.....thats the first coat on.....let dry for about 20 minuts and repeat all of the first stage....thats your second coat.....I normally give 3 coats....then same again with the clear coat laquire....the clear I would give 2 coats......comes out first class.

Answer to your question Pete....yes!

Tom.

[beachbuddy]

Cheers Tom,
will try get the materials and have a go,if i've any questions i'll drop you a pm.Thanks for the advice.The main thing is the rod is still in perfect working order and still catching a few fish,its just that[may sound weird] with such a nice rod i just want to look after it properly which i thought i had been doing by washing it down after every use,something i've never done with my rods before.
Anyway thanks again its appreciated
Tight lines