Sealing a small spot on a rod

[adrenalizd]

 I picked up a two piece St. Croix Avid for $30 from an online auction.  It is a factory return.  The tip was broken but the entire top piece was replaced from an identical rod so it is back to normal and in great shape.  However,  since it is a factory return the label has been scraped off. My question is what can I use to seal this small area? It is a 7 foot ultralight that I am pairing with a pflueger president 6920 for an ultralight setup so I didn't want to spend a fortune on the rod. I don't know if the fact that the label has been scraped off would even affect it but I want to seal it to be sure.  Thank you!

[Scott F]

It shouldn't effect the rod. St. Croix scrapes the labels off all of their returned rods so they can't be returned under warranty.  I can't believe they'd do that to a rod if it was going to be a problem later.

[adrenalizd]

Thank you! I wasn't sure, I own a few st. Croixs but I have never bought one of the factory returns before. 

[EvanT123]

They probably do that....so if the rod has a problem aka break. One could not return it under warranty. 

Sealing it won't harm or help anything. 2 part rod epoxy should do the trick. You just have to apply it in very equally parts and turn the rod for a bunch of hours. 

[adrenalizd]

Thank you! I didn't know if it should be sealed or how but I knew this would be a good place to ask.  Here is the spot I am talking about. 

[EvanT123]

I would leave it alone. You might have to sand it before you apply epoxy and that is a very risky proposition. 

[adrenalizd]

That is good advise,  thank you!

[KDW96]

10 hours ago, Scott F said:

It shouldn't effect the rod. St. Croix scrapes the labels off all of their returned rods so they can't be returned under warranty.  I can't believe they'd do that to a rod if it was going to be a problem later.

 

THIS ^^^^^^^^, And you can seal it with clear nail polish. Its a quick cheap, and will last

[MickD]

There is no problem repairing this area, and if you want it to look pretty good:

- lightly sand it to smooth the surface and get all of the decal off.  Do not sand into the blank.  If in doubt, don't do it.

- wipe with a dry paper towel or tacky cloth.  Do not wipe with alcohol or any other liquid to clean it.

- The best finish to apply to it is Permagloss, a single part urethane that dries very rapidly and leaves a smooth, very hard, surface.  You'll want to taper it off as the repaired area meets the old good surface.  To apply it use a foam disposable brush, practice on something else a little, like a pencil or wooden dowel to familiarize yourself with how it acts.  then apply it quickly, fairly wet but not runny, and don't go over and over it.  It will dry as you are doing that and will leave a messed up surface.

--    Nail polish will not hurt anything, nor will rod epoxy, but they don't level very well and you will likely have a wavy surface.  Rod wrapping epoxy will work better, but is not as good as the Permagloss.  If using rod wrapping epoxy use longitudinal brush strokes to get a smooth apply  trying to avoid waves which are caused by uneven application.  Rotate the rod while it sets to keep the finish even.  Turn it every 10 minutes or so  until it is pretty tacky.  Check the state of the finish by touching the left over epoxy in this mixing container, don't touch the rod.

You also can simply leave the sanded surface without finishing it-the rod will not deteriorate-many custom builders do this, but you will have the gloss/matte appearance.  If you have any questions, just ask.

 

[adrenalizd]

Thank you all so much! I am going to look up and see.  I am glad it won't effect it but I think I would like it to match.