Re-Wrapping Guides on an Old Rod (DIY)

[A-Jay]

I’ve got a couple of ‘older’ spinning rods that I really like.

As sometimes happens, the thread wrap finish on a few of the guides has started to fail. 

The guides themselves are in fine shape, as are the other components; cork handles & reel seats.  

These are two of my favorite topwater sticks and I’m not ready to retire them just yet, if I don’t have to. 

I decided to simply re-wrap the guides on each one.

It’s something I’ve done a couple of three times before over the years on both casting & spinning rods.

 

 So for starters, I have no problem admitting that I am squarely positioned in the novice category when it comes to rod building or repair. 

Might have just enough ‘skill’ to be sort of functional (and perhaps even a little dangerous).  

Either way, this is not a super complicated or even that difficult a deal. 

There’s plenty of “how to” available (something I used again this time around)

for any enterprising basshead looking to rejuvenate or even upgrade a favorite stick.

With that in mind, and if you might be considering doing the same, I humbly offer the following.

 

I had a couple of ‘DIY’ wrapping stands as well as a few other supplies left over from the previous rejuvenations; Thread bobbin, mixing cups/stick, brushes etc. It had been a while since my last re-guide, so I visited my go to – Mud Hole.com. 

Watched a few videos, read a little info, ordered supplies, (thread and Flex Coat) and I was set.

 

 

  First step was to measure (twice) and note the guide placement for each stick. 

Next, it was time to remove the guides.  Probably the trickiest aspect of the whole project.

Took my time and using a straight edge razor on top of the guide foot, being careful not to cut into or otherwise damage the blank,

I removed the old flex coat & thread to remove each guide.   Used a plastic knife and a little ‘heat’ from a hair dryer to ‘clean up’ any & all guide glue left behind and then a quick alcohol wipe down of each area and we were good to go.

Thread seems to wrap better on a smooth clean surface.

 

   Next I re-measured & marked the blank to identify the guide positions again for replacement.  

I had no reason or need, to remove the original tip tops guides on each stick as they were intact & straight. 

So along with the reel seat, they both helped me get the guides on reasonably straight (I said I was a hack).

Using the guide glue included in the Flex Coat ‘kit’, I positioned each guide on the blank and started the re-wrapping process.

Using my DIY stands, each went on fairly easily, once I remembered (and eventually perfected) the whip finish.

 

 Now moving on to actually applying the Flex coat to the freshly spun on guides.

My ‘tackle room’ is in the basement of my home and it’s usually cool (low 60’s) all year.

I had jacked up this next process up a bit in the past, by either not mixing it thoroughly or trying to mix it ‘cold’; both left my finish ‘sticky’. 

Had to re-coat it with the right stuff to correct it.

So this time around I warmed parts A & B of the Flex Coat a bit with a hair dryer prior to mixing, seemed to help.   

 

   After all of that, mixed up the appropriate amounts of flex coat (equal parts A & B), using the supplied brush, applied it evenly to the tread on each guide. In the past I had done this manually, turning it by hand as I went.  By not applying it too heavily, it goes on smoothly.  

Once done, the blank needs to be ‘turned’ periodically throughout the early stages of the drying process, to prevent the finish from collecting on one side of the blank (sagging). This takes a while.  If I time it right, there’s usually a good bit of NFL Red Zone going one.

A rod turner comes in pretty handy here. 

 

  So this time around, I bit the bullet and picked up a DCRDS Variable Speed Rod Dryer w/ Dryer Clutch Assembly from Mudhole.com.

This sweet rig makes what can be a slightly arduous task – pretty easy.   And with a handful (or two) of my rods also getting close to needing a re-wrap soon, I can expect to get more use out of this set up in the near future.

 

  I guess it should be noted, that I completed this deal over the course of a week or so; each stick required a few ‘sessions’.   

All said & done, it was a fun project.

I’m looking forward to presenting the poppers & walkers, I’ve enjoyed using these rods for, for 10 plus years, once again.  

That’s my story & I’m sticking to it.

A-Jay

[KDW96]

Well done sir. Another rod saved from the dreaded corner of the man cave. I did the same for my aging dad. It was a lamiglass spinning rod that he truly loved. Guides were shotty,so i replaced them all with AirWave microwave guides. Hes been using,and catching fish with it

for 3 yrs since the new guide install.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

I’ve got a couple of ‘older’ spinning rods that I really like.

As sometimes happens, the thread wrap finish on a few of the guides has started to fail. 

The guides themselves are in fine shape, as are the other components; cork handles & reel seats.  

These are two of my favorite topwater sticks and I’m not ready to retire them just yet, if I don’t have to. 

I decided to simply re-wrap the guides on each one.

It’s something I’ve done a couple of three times before over the years on both casting & spinning rods.

 

 So for starters, I have no problem admitting that I am squarely positioned in the novice category when it comes to rod building or repair. 

Might have just enough ‘skill’ to be sort of functional (and perhaps even a little dangerous).  

Either way, this is not a super complicated or even that difficult a deal. 

There’s plenty of “how to” available (something I used again this time around)

for any enterprising basshead looking to rejuvenate or even upgrade a favorite stick.

With that in mind, and if you might be considering doing the same, I humbling offer the following.

 

I had a couple of ‘DIY’ wrapping stands as well as a few other supplies left over from the previous rejuvenations; Thread bobbin, mixing cups/stick, brushes etc. It had been a while since my last re-guide, so I visited my go to – Mud Hole.com. 

Watched a few videos, read a little info, ordered supplies, (thread and Flex Coat) and I was set.

 

 

  First step was to measure (twice) and note the guide placement for each stick. 

Next, it was time to remove the guides.  Probably the trickiest aspect of the whole project.

Took my time and using a straight edge razor on top of the guide foot, being careful not to cut into or otherwise damage the blank,

I removed the old flex coat & thread to remove each guide.   Used a plastic knife and a little ‘heat’ from a hair dryer to ‘clean up’ any & all guide glue left behind and then a quick alcohol wipe down of each area and we were good to go.

Thread seems to wrap better on a smooth clean surface.

 

   Next I re-measured & marked the blank to identify the guide positions again for replacement.  

I had no reason or need, to remove the original tip tops guides on each stick as they were intact & straight. 

So along with the reel seat, they both helped me get the guides on reasonably straight (I said I was a hack).

Using the guide glue included in the Flex Coat ‘kit’, I positioned each guide on the blank and started the re-wrapping process.

Using my DIY stands, each went on fairly easily, once I remembered (and eventually perfected) the whip finish.

 

 Now moving on to actually applying the Flex coat to the freshly spun on guides.

My ‘tackle room’ is in the basement of my home and it’s usually cool (low 60’s) all year).

I had jacked up this next process up a bit in the past, by either not mixing it thoroughly or trying to mix it ‘cold’; both left my finish ‘sticky’. 

Had to re-coat it with the right stuff to correct it.

So this time around I warmed parts A & B of the Flex Coat a bit with a hair dryer prior to mixing, seemed to help.   

 

   After all of that, mixed up the appropriate amounts of flex coat (equal parts A & B), using the supplied brush, applied it evenly to the tread on each guide. In the past I had done this manually, turning it by hand as I went.  By not applying it too heavily, it goes on smoothly.  

Once done, the blank needs to be ‘turned’ periodically throughout the early stages of the drying process, to prevent the finish from collecting on one side of the blank (sagging). This takes a while.  If I time it right, there’s usually a good bit of NFL Red Zone going one.

A rod turner comes in pretty handy here. 

 

  So this time around, I bit the bullet and picked up a DCRDS Variable Speed Rod Dryer w/ Dryer Clutch Assembly from Modhole.com.

This sweet rig makes what can be a slightly arduous task – pretty easy.   And with a handful (or two) of my rods also getting close to needing a re-wrap soon, I can expect to get more use out of this set up in the near future.

 

  I guess it should be noted, that I completed this deal over the course of a week or so; each stick required a few ‘sessions’.   

All said & done, it was a fun project.

I’m looking forward to presenting the poppers & walkers, I’ve enjoyed using these rods for, for 10 plus years, once again.  

That’s my story & I’m sticking to it.

A-Jay

Good job. If you ever get stuck or just want to kick around thoughts you know where to find me. 

[jimmyjoe]

   Very impressive!  Makes me want to try it ..... not! ( I'm the only guy on this planet with 11 thumbs.)    ?      jj

[A-Jay]

On 1/26/2020 at 9:47 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Good job. If you ever get stuck or just want to kick around thoughts you know where to find me. 

Thank You.

I may actually 'schedule' a few more sticks for rejuvenation again next hard water season.

Admittedly once into it, that little voice that says 'hey let's build a rod or two' starts chiming in.

But, I've been able to stifle it . . . . .  so far.

A-Jay

 

 

[S Hovanec]

8 hours ago, A-Jay said:

that little voice that says 'hey let's build a rod or two'

 

 

 

Don't do it.  It's addictive.

[A-Jay]

Just realized I never put up any before & after pics.

Seems sort of incomplete with out it.

 

So Before ~ 

 

and After.

 

 

Very basic, same guides with new wrap. 

I expect them to last at least a season or two. 

A-Jay

[Bass Junke]

You complimented me on my wraps. Those look like some nice wraps, nice silver trim band. Looks professional.

[A-Jay]

20 minutes ago, Bass Junke said:

You complimented me on my wraps. Those look like some nice wraps, nice silver trim band. Looks professional.

Thanks ~ 

This job is probably more along the lines of 50/50 work.

Looks good at 50 feet and 50 mph . . . . 

A-Jay

 

[Jermination]

15 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Thanks ~ 

This job is probably more along the lines of 50/50 work.

Looks good at 50 feet and 50 mph . . . . 

A-Jay

 

all about durability my man. long as it holds up in the elements and still catches fish i'd call it excellent work! i've did this on a few of mine over the last couple of years and its surprisingly easy. Haven't had to rewrap any of them in two seasons of fishing 3x a week so i'll take it

[Alex from GA]

Is your "50/50" work like the 10/10 guarantee?  10 feet or 10 seconds whichever comes first?  You'll find that your work lasts much longer than a season or two.  I've been using rods that I built 30 years ago.

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Alex from GA said:

Is your "50/50" work like the 10/10 guarantee?  10 feet or 10 seconds whichever comes first?  You'll find that your work lasts much longer than a season or two.  I've been using rods that I built 30 years ago.

My comment was an attempt at humor, mostly.

 While admittedly not like a factory finish, 

I fairly confident that these re-wraps will last at least as long or longer, 

then what these sticks started with.

A-Jay

[Munkin]

I plan on switching out guides on some old rods to KR ones myself. 

 

Allen 

[Sodaksam]

Ive done this a few times.  My first attempt still makes me chuckle. I scavenged a guide off a broken rod in the garage.  I used about 2 tablespoons of epoxy.  I have learned less is more.  Mine are smaller and look better now.  They are not real pretty.  Hell, I’m married.  I don’t need to impress anyone anymore.  

[MickD]

Will last a lot longer than a couple years if you used the wrap epoxy on them, which it looks like you did.  You might want a second coat on the ones like the upper that show the texture of the threads. Not for longevity, just appearance.  If appearance is not an issue, go fishing; they will not fail because the texture is showing.  Nice job, A-Jay.

1 hour ago, Sodaksam said:

I don’t need to impress anyone anymore.  

I think there is one you need to impress, and keep impressing. IMHO

[Sodaksam]

Good point.   I showed her my rod guide repairs.  She was really impressed. Or, pretended to be. 

[Lyman X]

Even if she's faking, it shows she cares about you. lol

[A-Jay]

Had a chance to put one of the two rods I re-wrapped to work recently. 

Really glad to have gone this route.

A-Jay

[Bazoo]

On 1/29/2020 at 3:15 PM, A-Jay said:

Just realized I never put up any before & after pics.

Seems sort of incomplete with out it.

 

So Before ~ 

 

and After.

 

 

Very basic, same guides with new wrap. 

I expect them to last at least a season or two. 

A-Jay

The before picture, might I ask what was wrong with it? I see it was yellowed, is that an indication that the epoxy is at the end of it's life?

 

I appreciate you sharing this thread and your knowledge. I've been learning about replacing the guides on a rod I like that has cheap guides.

 

 

[A-Jay]

14 hours ago, Bazoo said:

The before picture, might I ask what was wrong with it? I see it was yellowed, is that an indication that the epoxy is at the end of it's life?

 

I appreciate you sharing this thread and your knowledge. I've been learning about replacing the guides on a rod I like that has cheap guides.

 

 

While just yellowing may not be important it might not be showing up in the before pic, the original flexcoat was cracking, especially on the smaller guides (not pictured) So  having the finish failing in my book certainly can compromise structural integrity.

Besides, I have 5 months of hard water here a year.  Keeps me busy.

Btw, 4 years later, that very same stick helped me put this pig in the net.

 

A-Jay

[Bazoo]

Thanks @A-Jay I didn't see the cracks.

[Flyfish-mt]

I also replaced all the guides on a Gen1 Team Daiwa "Wormin-Jiggin" Larry Nixon rod.  Along w/ replacing the guides, I re-wrapped the decorative wraps and added a folding Fuji hook keeper.....  Turned out really nice.