[Cowboy Tom]

I've got a rod that already has epoxy on some wraps and I would like to re-wrap that little section. Is it hard to take the epoxy off and start over? While I'm at it, how about getting old cork and reel seats off? Got a couple of old sticks that I would like remodel.

Thanks,

CT

 

[reelstory]

I am sure you could get some great ideas by visiting a rod building forum.

 

[fish0n4evr]

Thread Master brand Lite formula will loosen a bit with heat from a hair drier to where you can pick the finish off to the thread and pull to peelthe finish off as you go. To clean-up well enough for a fresh wrap try wipping the area vigorously with a soft cloth and 90% isopropyl-alchohol. It does work on certain epoxies.

You can dunk the handle in a pot of HOT water until the epoxy gives. Use a towel or gloves twisting on the cork and seat, heating it just until it loosens. The blank should come fairly clean this way. It might need some light sanding before being redone.

 

[Bigfoot]

for the wraps- carefully take a sharp razor blade and cut through the wrap over the thread- stop when you get to the thread so you don't score the blank. Once you get down to the thread- the wrap will be able to be "picked off the blank so you can re-wrap it. i general will wrap several threads past where the old wrap was so that when you re-apply whatever epoxy you use - it will cover up the old stuff.

Real seats can be heated with a hair dyer, or often over a alcohol burner- the heat will break down the epoxy underneath and the real seat twisted off. There is a chance you mar destroy the reel seat. generally when Im doing this- its with the intention Im putting a new reel seat on.

Cork is a different ballgame- generally after get the reel seat off- will tape the blank and put it in a lathe ( need to support free end so it doesn't whip around and break). Turn the lathe on to medium speed and take the majority of cork down with a bastard file or extremely course sandpaper( 80g). The last bit is done with dinner sandpaper. Then re-glue cork rings or a pre-formed grip back in place- i prefer to use 5minute epoxy for the cork and reel seat
Hope this helps

 

[BJay]

NOTE
Do not use lacquer thinners or acetone on your rod as it will damage the rod.
Bjay

 

[Peteo]

I have stripped down several rods, rewrapped them, and replaced the cork and reel seats. It is actually pretty easy and can give new life to an old favorite rod and often improve it with better quality components.
I use a hair dryer to soften the epoxy, carefully cut surface of the epoxy with a razor blade, use a toothpick or bodkin to lift the thread and unwrap it, and clean things up with alcohol. If any epoxy is left on the blank you can often get it off with your fingernail. Lots of ways to do this, that's just how I do it.
For the cork I cut it with a razor then break it off in chunks. Most will come off easily, leaving pretty much just the epoxy. This can be scraped off with a little heat and something hard but not too hard. I use a bamboo shishkabob stick. I don't worry about getting it all off, just most of it, and you can sand it a little if you want. This is under the handle so it doesn't matter what it looks like.
To removed the reel seat you can use heat if you want to save the seat. I have done this, but now I just cut the seat lengthwise on two sides with a dremel, break it off, and throw it away. Who wants a crappy old seat on your "new" setup anyway.

 

[salmo_g]

Like Peteo mentioned, a Dremel tool is handy for removing old reel seats that you don't wish to re-use. I wanted to add that I remove cork grips using an old hunting knife that is sharp, but not razor sharp. It removes a lot of cork in a short time, and then I just sand down to the blank to start over with new cork rings for the new handle/grip.

Sg