Replacing/fixing "non Tip Guide"

[kickerfish1]

So a good friend purchased a used rod. The rod has micro guides and he didn't notice until the rod was home that the second guide from the handle appears to have the "smooth guide insert" missing. There is a somewhat rough or not really smooth guide housing there but he worries with it being rough it may fray the line. The price he paid for the rod was $40 so sending it in and shipping it off is just not cost effective, as this would be more than the rod. What would you suggest for a good fix? Keep in mind there arent any local builders or shops where he lives.

1. Remove the guide and replace it?

2. Apply something to what is left to make it smoother?

3. Other?

What materials would you suggest to acomplish this?

Thanks for the advice fellas!

[FD.]

Remove and replace the guide if you have any rod building skill, or at least are not afraid to try.  You can buy individual guides if you know what size.

 

Otherwise sand it with a dremel tool and hope for the best.  

[Angry John]

I would replace as a primary method. If that is out of the question I might try and coat the inside of the frame with epoxy. Flouro or mono this may work. Braid will eat that up fast.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The rough ring guide will fray your line. The guide needs to be replaced. This is a $10 job for a local builder or you can attempt to DIY. Any work around is a waste of time. You'd be better off pawning it off and use the money toward a usable rod. 

[MickD]

there really is no option, the guide needs to be removed and replaced.  Best bet is to get a good builder to do it, won't be that expensive.  If you want to do it yourself, Go to Mudhole.com and look at their instructions on how to wrap a guide.  They also have tremendous variety of guides so you should be able to match it well.  Measure the outer diameter and call Mudhole; their customer service people are very good, describe what you're trying to accomplish, and follow their suggestions.  Keep in mind that size and finish are the important issues; micros are so small that other differences won't be noticed.

 

You can cut notches into the ends of a corragated box to guide the rod while rotating it, and you can tension the thread by running it through the pages of a heavy, closed book.  

 

When you take the guide off be careful not to cut into the blank, just try to get the wrapping epoxy and thread off.  When you finish the new wrap, it is better to use two or three thin coats in order to prevent sagging-you most likely don't have  a setup for rotating the rod while the epoxy is curing.  

 

If you buy the Pro Kote from Mudhole, it will take over a day to fully cure.  I suggest for a beginner that you use Flex Coat as it cures much faster.  You need to measure the two parts of the epoxy very carefully to get very close to a 50/50 mix.  Builders use syringes (one for each compoonent).

 

Since it is an inexpensive rod, you may not want to do all this, but don't throw it away.  Builders like rods like this to use for rod repairing; they use the blank to build sleeves for repair.

 

Or, take the guide off and use it as is as a starter rod for kids.  It might work just fine.

[kickerfish1]

Appreciate all the replies. I have forwarded him to a link to this thread and he is planning on removing it and installing a new one.

Thanks!