New rod - epoxy removal help

[rtwvumtneer6]

For you builders... Any suggestions on removing excess epoxy from a guide/insert?  For what it's worth it's the Fuji K-Concept guides with F-Ring inserts. 

[MikeK]

Should be able to easily chip it off the ring with a razor blade.

[MickD]

I suggest a pointed tool like a fly tying bodkin, carefully try to pick it off.  It probably has not bonded that well.  Don't get sucked into any suggestions to use heat.

[rtwvumtneer6]

9 minutes ago, MickD said:

I suggest a pointed tool

Darning needle do the trick?

[MickD]

7 minutes ago, rtwvumtneer6 said:

Darning needle do the trick?

I don't think it's pointed enough, but give it a try.  As long as you're not applying a lot of force, you won't hurt anything.  Try anything pointed.  Something that will allow you to to pick at it.  

The initial suggestion of a razor blade will most likely work, but I thought it might be too easy to cut a finger or the rod.  

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Pm sent 

[MikeK]

On 11/25/2022 at 1:35 PM, MickD said:

Don't get sucked into any suggestions to use heat.

 

Why?

[diehardbassfishing]

 

Not difficult - I've used my fingernail. I'm sure a wood toothpick would work fine too.

 

Karl

[MickD]

41 minutes ago, MikeK said:

 

Why?

Because many believe heat can melt epoxy, but epoxy cures by a chemical reaction that makes a substance that doesn't have a melting point.  It can be destroyed by heat, but the heat required is often very close to that which will also destroy the blank.  So when you apply heat you are at risk of damaging the blank.  If you can accomplish what you want to do without heat, that is much better.  In this case I think the epoxy can be chipped off mechanically  with no heat.  

[Seaworthy81]

Dental pick should work. 

[Seaworthy81]

On 11/27/2022 at 6:03 PM, MickD said:

Because many believe heat can melt epoxy, but epoxy cures by a chemical reaction that makes a substance that doesn't have a melting point.  It can be destroyed by heat, but the heat required is often very close to that which will also destroy the blank.  So when you apply heat you are at risk of damaging the blank.  If you can accomplish what you want to do without heat, that is much better.  In this case I think the epoxy can be chipped off mechanically  with no heat.  

I’d be more concerned with weakening and discoloring the finish on the wraps than damaging the blank. If I was stripping the rod completely I’d be using a little heat carefully to soften the finish. In this case the risk isn’t worth the reward though, although you could heat a metal tool like a dental pick to help get some purchase on the material to pick it off. Probably not needed though. 

[MickD]

18 minutes ago, Seaworthy81 said:

a little heat carefully

The problem here, especially for those who haven't already lost an inch off a blank by using too much heat in taking off a tiptop (that includes a goodly number of us builders, including yours truly), is knowing how much is too much.

[spoonplugger1]

Like Mick said, epoxy finish is a terrible adhesive, your guide ceramic is many times harder than any blade, or metal point, should be an extremely easy thing to remove.