Hi All
After finishing most of my 'to do' list about the house and garden I have decided to refurb my Century X Lite rods. The advantage I have is that I drove over one (of 4) a while ago and cracked the tip section so I have that rod to experiment with and see how it goes.
They are finished in a burgundy colour (apparently like the original Hutchy Dream Makers) and I've never been a real fan of the colour so my thinking is to strip of the varnish back to the blank, leaving the rings on and then have a normal rod with burgundy fittings.
Anyway before I get really stuck in I have a couple of questions:-
1. Is it possible/advisable to leave the blanks unvarnished? (Obviously the whippings will still be varnished)
2. If not what is the best varnish to use to retain a natural look?
Thanks in advance.
After finishing most of my 'to do' list about the house and garden I have decided to refurb my Century X Lite rods. The advantage I have is that I drove over one (of 4) a while ago and cracked the tip section so I have that rod to experiment with and see how it goes.
They are finished in a burgundy colour (apparently like the original Hutchy Dream Makers) and I've never been a real fan of the colour so my thinking is to strip of the varnish back to the blank, leaving the rings on and then have a normal rod with burgundy fittings.
Anyway before I get really stuck in I have a couple of questions:-
1. Is it possible/advisable to leave the blanks unvarnished? (Obviously the whippings will still be varnished)
2. If not what is the best varnish to use to retain a natural look?
Thanks in advance.
I did this with my old NGs. Stripped them and realised they looked quite decent.
Did a bit of reading up and ended up polishing them with turtle wax.
Came up much better than I expected and no more turning white in the rain.
So far no problems. Just give them a clean and polish when needed.
Did a bit of reading up and ended up polishing them with turtle wax.
Came up much better than I expected and no more turning white in the rain.
So far no problems. Just give them a clean and polish when needed.
In reply to Post #1
There's a sticky thread on the world sea fishing forum on rod building worth watching, shows you how to treat the blank with Bondaseal, from experience I can tell you it can be a frustrating processes trying to get it right. Refurbishing rods can be expensive as well, If you're going to use high build on the Whippings you'll need a rod turner/dryer if you don't want to keep turning the blank manually. By the time you've brought whippings, High build and a turner/dryer (ideally 2) you're talking of spending well over £100, Enjoy!!
There's a sticky thread on the world sea fishing forum on rod building worth watching, shows you how to treat the blank with Bondaseal, from experience I can tell you it can be a frustrating processes trying to get it right. Refurbishing rods can be expensive as well, If you're going to use high build on the Whippings you'll need a rod turner/dryer if you don't want to keep turning the blank manually. By the time you've brought whippings, High build and a turner/dryer (ideally 2) you're talking of spending well over £100, Enjoy!!
In reply to Post #3
Diy rod turner. Youtube.
Diy rod turner. Youtube.
In reply to Post #4
agree, loads of american videos on youtube around rod building...
agree, loads of american videos on youtube around rod building...
In reply to Post #2
Thanks guys for the replies.
Especially the turtle wax tip, I do like to keep my cars clean (detailed) and I'm sure I have some turtle wax or similar around. I might even try using the same sealant I use on the car and see how that works.
I'm trying to avoid stripping and re ringing them completely so just using the back of a stanley knife and then sanding to take off the coloured varnish and back to the carbon. It's going OK so far.
Thanks guys for the replies.
Especially the turtle wax tip, I do like to keep my cars clean (detailed) and I'm sure I have some turtle wax or similar around. I might even try using the same sealant I use on the car and see how that works.
I'm trying to avoid stripping and re ringing them completely so just using the back of a stanley knife and then sanding to take off the coloured varnish and back to the carbon. It's going OK so far.
In reply to Post #6
Try and use a non silicone polish because if you decide to varnish at a later date it will be a nightmare
Try and use a non silicone polish because if you decide to varnish at a later date it will be a nightmare
In reply to Post #1
Bondaseal is the stuff to finish the blank with or leave it oh natural. but if you are Planing on leaving the whippings on and stripping the blank it will look ***** imho. I have seen a couple of people try and never looks neat.
Bondaseal is the stuff to finish the blank with or leave it oh natural. but if you are Planing on leaving the whippings on and stripping the blank it will look ***** imho. I have seen a couple of people try and never looks neat.
In reply to Post #8
Just an update, I have just finished refurbing the rods and I'm really happy with the result.
I ended up leaving the whippings on and just using masking tape to cover them and make sure I took the old coloured varnish off accurately and cleanly up to the whippings. Stripped it off using the back of a Stanley blade and then sanded using very fine wet and dry paper.
Then used 3 coats of Coat X varnish with a very fine sanding between.
I now have a beautiful set of Centruy X Lites with natural carbon blanks and mahogany whippings rather than all being that deep red colour. I would give myself a 9/10 for the result.
Just an update, I have just finished refurbing the rods and I'm really happy with the result.
I ended up leaving the whippings on and just using masking tape to cover them and make sure I took the old coloured varnish off accurately and cleanly up to the whippings. Stripped it off using the back of a Stanley blade and then sanded using very fine wet and dry paper.
Then used 3 coats of Coat X varnish with a very fine sanding between.
I now have a beautiful set of Centruy X Lites with natural carbon blanks and mahogany whippings rather than all being that deep red colour. I would give myself a 9/10 for the result.
In reply to Post #9
Seeing as your so proud of your work see if you can master the photo upload thing on the forum and share some piccies, that'll wipe that smug grin off yer face
Seeing as your so proud of your work see if you can master the photo upload thing on the forum and share some piccies, that'll wipe that smug grin off yer face
In reply to Post #10
I think I tried to upload a photo a few years ago and failed dismally, life's too short to try that again!
I think I tried to upload a photo a few years ago and failed dismally, life's too short to try that again!
In reply to Post #11
