I have an old rod that had sat on a covered porch for years. It is in good condition except the epoxy covering the guide wraps is yellow, thin, and cracked.

 

Will it work to just apply new epoxy over the existing epoxy?

 

 

3 minutes ago, Bazoo said:

I have an old rod that had sat on a covered porch for years. It is in good condition except the epoxy covering the guide wraps is yellow, thin, and cracked.

 

Will it work to just apply new epoxy over the existing epoxy?

 

 

It's definitely worth a try...and should work fine.

If a rod like that were mine the first thing I would do is to try and remove every bit of yellowed cracked epoxy first. Usually it will just flake off easily. A dental pick or utility knife might suffice. I also sometimes use sharp side cutters to help grab and remove stubborn pieces.

 

Once it is removed look for color variations, and you can use permanent markers to touch up color issues before putting new epoxy on.

Thanks guys. I will try to remove any loose epoxy first. Thanks for the sharpie trick, hadn't thought of that.

 

I do like this little rod, it's a short spinning, 5'6" I think. It might do just right for some creek fishing.

54 minutes ago, Bazoo said:

I have an old rod that had sat on a covered porch for years. It is in good condition except the epoxy covering the guide wraps is yellow, thin, and cracked.

 

Will it work to just apply new epoxy over the existing epoxy?

 

 

I've been babying a few 'veteran' sticks along for a while now.

Sometimes the process has included rewrapping the guides.

Posted a thread on it here.

A-Jay

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

I've been babying a few 'veteran' sticks along for a while now.

Sometimes the process has included rewrapping the guides.

Posted a thread on it here.

A-Jay

I saw that, I will give it another thorough look. Thanks for sharing again.

If nothing else, lightly sand and thoroughly clean the old epoxy if you will be applying directly over it.

 

If your not worried about cosmetics and just want it to work, lightly sand, clean, then put a coat of Sally Hansen Tough as Nails clear fingernail polish over the existing epoxy.  If the cracks are really bad I would go with epoxy, but that comes with a significant time investment turning the rod assuming you don't have a rod dryer. 

39 minutes ago, Lead Head said:

turning the rod assuming you don't have a rod dryer.

It's not that bad with most epoxies-you can simply rotate it 90 degrees every 15 minutes for a couple hours.  I'm assuming you don't put it on so thick you get footballs.  I used to do this all the time before I cobbled up a turning rig.

 

Sally Henson is a good solution for old rods like this, or even "nice" rods that need just a touch up.

The rod in question has the wraps intact, but the epoxy is mostly gone from flaking off. Phone is down currently, so no pictures.

 

I don't have a rod turner. I could do the turn it occasionally thing though.

20 hours ago, Bazoo said:

I could do the turn it occasionally thing though.

It works fine, just don't apply so much epoxy that it's dripping off.  I use lite style and usually use two thin coats.  No dripping, less sagging.   But it will work with any epoxy.  Best 70 degrees F or warmer. Humidity doesn't matter.

BTW use fishing rod wrap epoxy not the hardware store stuff.