Refinish question

[gottaflylee]

I have a set of Saint Croix light tackle trout rods that I love. Rods are about 6 years old, well used... and still in great shape but the finish is going cloudy when they get wet. Is there a way to keep that from happening or what can I do to stop it? Thanks guys...

[ElMar2530]

I have some old rods that do that too, I recoated them with a thin coat of Flex Coat, it worked.

[gottaflylee]

Ok guys, now I have never refinished rods before. I realy could use some details here. Do I need to sand, strip, steel wool the old finish to put new Flex Coat on them? Do I need a primer first to make it hold? Any details will help...

[clt_capt]

For the rods that I've refinished, I've used a scotchbrite pad to evenly scuff the existing finish. Try not to go all the way through the existing finish to the wrap when scuffing.

One question - are the rods finished the whole length, or just over the wraps? A lot of light rods will only have finish applied to cover the wraps.

The most durable finish will be epoxy - aftcote, flexcote, etc (almost like a religion as to the preference)

GradyWhite did a great video - http://www.sportfishermen.com/board/...ghlight=finish
showing how to apply finish to a rod, but that may be over kill for a light trout rod.

Aftcote makes a cool blisterpack with about 1 oz of finish - simply warm the packs up (to thin the finish), mix the 2 parts together, then apply to the rod with a fine brush.

The thing to keep in mind is that it takes a good while for the finish to set - you need to keep the rod turning until it does - this will even the coat out and eliminate drips.

Oh yea - almost forgot - I usually wipe the rod down with acetone after scuffing. I don't use a primer.

[ElMar2530]

Lee - I just did what clt-capt described here,

http://www.sportfishermen.com/board/...nds-61108.html

hope that helps.

[Penn Guy]

I assume your talking the blank and not the wraps! If it's the blank don't use epoxy. Look for a product called Permagloss it's a urathane product made for refinishing blanks.Not primer is needed but you should clean and scuff with a grey Scotch -Brite pad. Epoxy is NOT a refinishing tool. If your talking about the guide wraps then yes epoxy is the ticket. scuff the wraps with a grey scotch-brite (fine grade) and recoat the wraps.