I was asked to replace the guides on an older Halo rod for a coworker. The main issue I'm having is the incredibly thick epoxy covering the guide wraps. Football-ish is the best way to describe them. Any suggestions on softening the epoxy without damaging the blank? He would like to keep using this blank (kind of like his 'lucky' rod).

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Carefully apply enough heat (a hair dryer would be safer than a heat gun) to soften the epoxy and then scrape it off with your fingernail or a plastic tool.

Thanks! I've never dealt with this much epoxy on a rod before! My biggest concern is damaging the blank itself.

If you just cut the epoxy and thread across the top of the foot of the guide, you can't hurt the blank, then just peel the rest off along with the thread, it not a very good adhesive so it comes off pretty easy. If you are putting everything back in the same place the epoxy patches will be covered with the new thread and not be a problem for you, just scrape them a bit smoother and you're done.

I always cut the thread & epoxy finish on the guide foot...this rod had the thickest application of epoxy finish I'd ever had to deal with. The heat trick worked, I al putting the new guides in the exact spot. I did have an issue afterwards with cramped fingers!

 

Many Thanks for the responses!

When using heat my rule of thumb is to not heat hotter than I can handle bare handed. Short blasts of heat and keep the source moving. Heat gun works fine if you’re paying attention at all. 

I use a rotozip drywall bit in my Dremel to cut the epoxy and thread off, on the guide foot.  Then the guide just pops off and you can peel the wrap off.