Can you re-build a rod?

[ROOSTER]

I have a question that I wanted to throw out there to all you rod building guru's. About 5 years ago, I built my first rod. It is 9'5wt Loomis GL2. I love the rod, but I must admit that it is pretty freaking ugly. I was curious to know if there was a way to take off the guides and re-wrap them. It even looks to me like some of the current epoxy may be separating from the rod now in some spots. Any suggestions?

[icthys]

Project Rod Redo can be done. I'm doing one right now, the rod I'm refinishing is 15 years old and beat up. I don't explain things very well but I'll do my best.

I used a razor knife to remove the wraps. Be careful not to cut, scratch, or knick the blank. Use the knife just enough to get the wraps off. Then you can use light sand paper or steel wool to get rid of all the left over finish still stuck on the rod. Clean it up with some denatured alcohol and you should be ready to re wrap. If you need to add a little extra finish on the blank to get some shine back or fill in and unlevel surface us outdoor polyurethane and wipe it on with you finger (make sure you dry it on your rod dryer).

I got most my information off rodbuilding.org, search for topics there. I'm sure Ouzel, Cary, and some of the other masters could help you better than me.

[lamson]

I have a few of these rebuilds for others and it is not that hard. I have found that if you start at the middle of the guid and cut just enough to get to the thread. Then you can pull the thread out from under the epoxy. Pull of the epoxy and clean up with a little Acetone. this seems to work the best for me!!!

[chris]

Just take your time with the blade. Don't be in a hurry and take your time. One guide at a time at a very methodical pace. Don't try to bust through them like oyu would breaking up sticks for the trash just take your time. Oh and what they said, start at the middle of the guide is a great bit of advise as well.

[newtyer]

try using a old credit card to remove the little bit of extra epoxy. Doesn't scratch the finish and if you do a good job you wont need the acetone.

lol. nevermind. I didn't notice when you posted this thread. I'm sure you've already finished it by now.

[Ouzel]

Icthys advised you correctly and you may even want to update your guides and/or hook keeper. If you decide on single foot guides it will soften the rod rod a bit. If you wrap too tightly it will stifen the rod.

The only note of caution I have is to be sure to start cutting off the guides "on top of the guide foot".

Take your time and I'm sure your rod will look good as new.