cracked epoxy

[Ricky Lim]

HI All

i am sure we all have these problem with our parabolic rods. I know the epoxy around the guides is pron to crack due to the nature of the more parabolic blanks.
is there anything we can do to prevent the guides going rusty over time? i was thinking of putting some oil on to the cracks (but that might soak in and change the color of the threads).
any taughts................................................................

RL

[Jon Li]

HI All

i am sure we all have these problem with our parabolic rods. I know the epoxy around the guides is pron to crack due to the nature of the more parabolic blanks.
is there anything we can do to prevent the guides going rusty over time? i was thinking of putting some oil on to the cracks (but that might soak in and change the color of the threads).
any taughts................................................................

RL

Hi RL ,

Perhaps you can try silicon sealant , the flexible nature is not prone to cracking when stretched due to the parabolic action of the blank .

Jon .

[Sydney Neal]

In my experience your better off stripping down the top thread binding remove the guide and paint the guide foot where it has been ground down for better line lay, this should of been done when rod was first built or else the guide foot rusts and stains the thread work, then rebind it.
Shouldn't cost to much to get a rod builder or yourself to do it and put some colour preserver on the threads before applying epoxy especialy for lighter colour work it will look better.

[Ricky Lim]

Cheers Syd and jon

[Antonino Augugliaro]

I had the same problem on a tuna rod. The epoxy on the first guide (40 mm), is completely cracked and broken off,  I think it depends from excessive rigidity epoxy used (in addition to parabolic action of the the rod). Now I have to replace it completely.
 I would ask what type of epoxy to use. I thought for a very flexible one, but do not know which type ...
Could someone help me to find the right one?
Thanks
Antonino

[Chris Rogerson]

You are best of using a specialised epoxy like flex coat or threadmaster both designed for fishing rod guides. You will get better flexibility/ uv protection (less yellowing) and a smoother finish.

[John Sykes]

Hi All,
   I know this is an old post but a good solution to the cracking problem the first time around at least is to lightly sand the affected bind to give a keyed surface and recoat with a light coat of epoxy, you will find the epoxy will migrate straight into the crack serving to repair it and giving a new finish.  In leiu of a rod lathe a dirt cheap battery powered rotiserrie motor coupled with a gimble cap attached to a small square shaft of wood via a screw works.  Yes, I know, I'm a cheapskate,  but it works!
Cheers,
   John.

[Sam McKechnie]

Also, if applying your own rod finish note that some products are more flexible than others e.g. prokote is flexible, but there is often a tradeoff in that the flexible ones will be softer and scratch easier - lots on google about the relative properties of different brands etc. before you pick one.