Hello, ladies and gents, the subject line says it all. 
 

I noticed on two of my rods that there was either oxidation or rust forming on some of the guides. 
 

One of them is my trusty 6’6” Shimano 2-piece compre that is probably close to 18 years old. If I’m not mistaken the guides are either Fuji aluminum oxide guides, hard loy or the model just above that,   alconites I think.

 

The oxidation (kind of that whitish/green minerally-looking stuff)  is occurring on some of the guide bodies. The inserts appear to be fine. It seems this oxidation has occurred where the paint or color coating of the guides has worn off over time. 
 

I get it, the rod is old but I’d like to save it. 
 

I thought of using a light grit sand paper but hoping there might be a chemical solution as an alternative. 
 

Lastly, is there some type of clear coat or rustoleum product I could apply to the guides to inhibit future corrosion or oxidation. 
 

I don’t have any pictures yet but can add some if requested. 
 

Thanks. 

Personally - I'd replace the guides. No telling how much of that rust/oxidation has penetrated to under the inserts or how weak the guide itself is.

My vote is Boeshield - the carrier and cleaner is mineral spirits - the residue is a wax with corrosion inhibitors.  I have a salt finesse rod with Alps guides first showing rust 8 years ago, still fishing and not changing w/ Boeshield application.  

Vinegar might work better, but I worry about attack on partially cross-linked epoxy in guide wraps.  

If mine, I would use a soft metal brass brush to remove it. NOT sandpaper!

 

Vinegar works like Bulldog said above but could mar the surface of the epoxy as he noted also.

 

And to stop corrosion where you can't see it that won't harm epoxy, I use corrosion X. Paint won't get in there. Just carefully clean and use something like corrosion X or other products as mentioned around here.

 

Done and over with. Keep fishing until they fall apart- and that could be years or decades from now. Or, replace if you want to. A little bit of surface corrosion does not affect structural integrity for quite some time depending on how bad it is. Minor surface corrosion is cleanable and useable.

Thanks, guys
 

@bulldog1935 and @FloridaFishinFool  much appreciated advice. I will develop a plan based on it. 

 

@MN Fisher I have considered replacement too.  I will try to restore them first and if that doesn’t work I will try to replace them. This very well might be the excuse I need to make or in this case remake a rod.

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

Personally - I'd replace the guides. No telling how much of that rust/oxidation has penetrated to under the inserts or how weak the guide itself is.

Ditto

 

 

 

 

Mike

Not everyone has the experience and tools to easily replace guides, let alone the time. A cleaning option is appreciated, for me at least.