Thread: New winter projects...

My first 2 re-do rods turned out decent for a rookie, so it's time to up the game a bit.
Picked up 2 old (..OLD) Conolon rods from the local flea market. They need quite a bit of work, but hey, I got 6 months before they see salt. Both are MH, 8 ft fiberglass blanks with 3/4 in aluminum but ends. The grips and rod seats must be replaced, but the blanks are in good shape. Finish is crap on both and will need to be re-done.
Question for the minds - has anyone ever stripped back to the original blank and refinished?

I found a two piece 9ft possible Conolon rod(was an old custom build) floating in Pensacola Bay. There was no finish on it, probably worn off over time. The blank and ferrules were still good but everything else was trashed. This would end up being my first build. Had a buddy of mine teach me the basics. We stripped off all the old components and put in on the power wrapper and with some fine grain sand paper, lightly sanded the blank to even it out. One that was done and cleaned up he used a spray can of laquer to finish it. This is how we did mine and it came out great. Clean also flex coat the the entire rod as well.

Trust me, you can't make silk out of a sow's ear!

It can be done. I have stripped a rod that was coated in spray on bed liner material back to the original brown blank and it turned out beautiful. It just takes a little time and effort and you can come out with a really nice piece of fishing equipment.

Not looking for silk flyguy - just idling hours and evenings until my return trip in May.
I have stripped one of the blanks and used 600grit to sand down a small area under one of the old guides. The blank is a beautiful translucent brown. There are layers of ripples left from original manufacturing and some of the brown paint remained. I wet the are and reavilled a beautiful grain look similar to quarter sawn oak. So that's what I will do for this one.
The other has a Carolina blue paint finish that is cracked and will probably need some type of stripper to get it off. I am anxious to find out what color that blank will be - probably brown too.

Ill post some pics along the way

Good luck! I would start with removing the handle & reel seat, it will be the most difficult job and then go from there. It sounds like it could turn out to be a nice looking rod in the end. Keep me posted!!!!!

Use a sharp knife 90 degrees to the blank , (only 90 degrees)strips fairly easy then sand ......mine was painted an ugly pea green.....chipped and cracked bad.....I get compliments everywhere I fish it
THANKS JOHN G

Do not use stripper.....not needed

Correction to original post..the blue one is a 9 footer

Got both old blanks stripped and cleaned. Used a citrus based solvent - safe for fiberglass. Easy Peasy. Let it set for 45' and wiped the finish and paint right off. Cleaned up with soap and water - wet sanded w/ 400 grit and DONE.
One will be finished raw, the blue one will be repainted Baby Blue to match original.

Also built a DIY 4 spool carriage for playing around with cross wraps....some tuff math for this old brain!