[smirkplug]

Hi guys, haven't felt like making plugs lately, i have way too many on hand that need to see the water. I am getting back into old beat up fiberglass garage sale rods and reels. I keep finding 6-10 foot rods that have missing guides, rust, corrosion, and chewed up handles. I have been buying them for 2-5 dollars each and cutting them down to 5-7 feet adding split handle cork grips and taping old mitchell 300's , dam quicks, and pezon +michel luxor reels, I wrap by hand, no machine, never used old chrome guides, and recycled cork, i found at a tackle swap meet , and make some great action , fun, easy, medium range casting spinning rods. I need any tips and tricks on varnishes, and finishes, counterbalancing weights, action, and especially hiding flaws. Please leave any tricks and tips. I have bad arthritus and want to keep things simple and cheap.

[BobP]

Sounds like you're having fun! I don't know a magic way to remove blemishes from rod blanks except to sand them out and refinish the blank with urethane rod finish (Janns Netcraft). You don't want to sand down into the fiberglass blank material. I use a single edge razor blade to remove old thread when I replace a guide or a complete handle. It will shave off the old epoxy and does a neat job if you're patient and keep the blade at an acute angle to the blank surface. For counterbalancing, I roll/beat lead weights into a cylinder and epoxy them into the butt of the blank. If you want, you can also lengthen a rod by epoxying in an extension that will be covered by the handle. Know what you mean about too many crankbaits - I give mine away like crazy and still have around 100 sitting in boxes in my garage

[KcDano]

Check the rods for champion rod handles you might be surprised what they fetch on ebay.

[WannabeeFishing]

I have a similar question... I have a couple of old rods that are in good shape other than the cork handles are falling apart. Outer covering peeling off, mainly. Is it worth shaping a new cork handle (although I'm sure that would be more satisfying!) or should I use a handle wrap material? Can anyone recommend a brand of wrap? I would mostly be using these for my kids/grandkids.Thanks.

[HeyWire]

I would suggest using Hypolon grips. Much easier to put up the butt end of the rod. Use dish soap to help slide it on.

[braveviper]

You can wet sand the old fiberglass blanks,they will come back nice!The old wood handles can be sanded down as well.Cover the wood handles with flexcoat epoxy(no it wont be slippery when it gets wet).If the cork is shabby you can flexcoat over that for a vice look.

[outdooradvantage]

I don't know if this will help, but I try to wax my rod's every couple year's. I use Turtle wax, but I'm sure any auto wax will do. It really bring's out the shine of old rod's. Jeff................