New winter projects...

My first 2 re-do rods turned out decent for a rookie, so it's time to up the game a bit.
Picked up 2 old (..OLD) Conolon rods from the local flea market. They need quite a bit of work, but hey, I got 6 months before they see salt. Both are MH, 8 ft fiberglass blanks with 3/4 in aluminum but ends. The grips and rod seats must be replaced, but the blanks are in good shape. Finish is crap on both and will need to be re-done.
Question for the minds - has anyone ever stripped back to the original blank and refinished?

I found a two piece 9ft possible Conolon rod(was an old custom build) floating in Pensacola Bay. There was no finish on it, probably worn off over time. The blank and ferrules were still good but everything else was trashed. This would end up being my first build. Had a buddy of mine teach me the basics. We stripped off all the old components and put in on the power wrapper and with some fine grain sand paper, lightly sanded the blank to even it out. One that was done and cleaned up he used a spray can of laquer to finish it. This is how we did mine and it came out great. Clean also flex coat the the entire rod as well.

Trust me, you can't make silk out of a sow's ear!

It can be done. I have stripped a rod that was coated in spray on bed liner material back to the original brown blank and it turned out beautiful. It just takes a little time and effort and you can come out with a really nice piece of fishing equipment.

Not looking for silk flyguy - just idling hours and evenings until my return trip in May.
I have stripped one of the blanks and used 600grit to sand down a small area under one of the old guides. The blank is a beautiful translucent brown. There are layers of ripples left from original manufacturing and some of the brown paint remained. I wet the are and reavilled a beautiful grain look similar to quarter sawn oak. So that's what I will do for this one.
The other has a Carolina blue paint finish that is cracked and will probably need some type of stripper to get it off. I am anxious to find out what color that blank will be - probably brown too.

Ill post some pics along the way

Good luck! I would start with removing the handle & reel seat, it will be the most difficult job and then go from there. It sounds like it could turn out to be a nice looking rod in the end. Keep me posted!!!!!

Use a sharp knife 90 degrees to the blank , (only 90 degrees)strips fairly easy then sand ......mine was painted an ugly pea green.....chipped and cracked bad.....I get compliments everywhere I fish it
THANKS JOHN G

Do not use stripper.....not needed

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5519&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5520&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5521&stc=1Correction to original post..the blue one is a 9 footer

Got both old blanks stripped and cleaned. Used a citrus based solvent - safe for fiberglass. Easy Peasy. Let it set for 45' and wiped the finish and paint right off. Cleaned up with soap and water - wet sanded w/ 400 grit and DONE.
One will be finished raw, the blue one will be repainted Baby Blue to match original.

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5542&stc=1

Also built a DIY 4 spool carriage for playing around with cross wraps....some tuff math for this old brain!

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5543&stc=1

[QUOTE=scbasser; Used a citrus based solvent - safe for fiberglass.[/QUOTE]

SCB,
Please elaborate as to the brand of solvent.
Thanks much.

https://m.lowes.com/pd/CitriStrip-32...2-3683236a133c

read the interweb reviews - if it's safe for corvettes, I figure my rods are good to go. Just don't leave it on for more than 30-45 minutes

Just for fun....My first attempt at a cross wrap, and probably the last. Too much time, too much thread. Still got to tighten it up a bit before finish

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5566&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5567&stc=1

Progress to date. Painted the Blue Conolon as close to original as I could and left the other raw glass as planned. Capped both off with 3 coats of urethane. I'm thinking the brown one will be my new snobblin' rod so I'm thinking about a bare bones light weight set up. Either short split grips - or no grips at all. But hey, I've got a few months to make up my mind.
I did some research on the guides on the blue rod - the ones that have parallel feet that attach on the side of the rod. They were manufactured by Allen Company, and were found on many surf rods from the 50's and 60's. I was able to find some NOS sets, but the biggest stripper guide was only 30mm. That won't do for the big spooled vintage stuff I'm gonna hang on it.

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5615&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5616&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5617&stc=1

Progress to date. Painted the Blue Conolon as close to original as I could and left the other raw glass as planned. Capped both off with 3 coats of urethane. I'm thinking the brown one will be my new snobblin' rod so I'm thinking about a bare bones light weight set up. Either short split grips - or no grips at all. But hey, I've got a few months to make up my mind.
I did some research on the guides on the blue rod - the ones that have parallel feet that attach on the side of the rod. They were manufactured by Allen Company, and were found on many surf rods from the 50's and 60's. I was able to find some NOS sets, but the biggest stripper guide was only 30mm. That won't do for the big spooled vintage stuff I'm gonna hang on it.

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5615&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5616&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5617&stc=1

Had a few extra hours this week while the wife was out making vacation money...got busy on the "blue".

My first time winding on the olive branch deco wrap, again tuff for old eyes. It's a given one of those big magnifying lens lamps is on the Christmas list!

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5634&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5635&stc=1

Blue is done.

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5641&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5642&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5643&stc=1

Great job!! Really turned out nice. Just curious what vintage reel you were thinking?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grandpa Kirk

Great job!! Really turned out nice. Just curious what vintage reel you were thinking?

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Penn 704Z, or 706Z if I can find one. I love the old Penns. I'd hang a Greenie, but it would clash a bit with the blue

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RamZ

Penn 704Z, or 706Z if I can find one. I love the old Penns. I'd hang a Greenie, but it would clash a bit with the blue

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I'll look tomorrow and see if I have any. I don't collect spinning reels but end up with some when I buy groups.

I don't have any vintage Penns at all. The only Salt Water Spinning reels I have are a Ashway Surf Slip-Caster made by Cleveland Ohio Tool, Shakespeare Long Cast LX 6000, Shakespeare 2510, and a Zebco Spinator 870, and a Zebco Surflite 860, I'm pretty sure the Zebcos are actually Langely's that were branded Zebcos when Zebco bought them out in the 60s. You are welcomed to any or all of these if you want them, I don't want anything for them, I really need to downsize my collection. I'm a member of ORCA (Old Reel Collectors Association) and can ask if anyone has a 706Z if you want. It's usually cheaper then E-Bay.

Wow! That's quite an offer, and I appreciate the opportunity. I am really a fan of the Penn Z's and the simplicity and effisiency of the design. I have accumulated a good supply of wear items - and most of them are interchangeable.
I would appreciate it if you would contact the association to see what's avaiable. I usually cruise ebay and have patience to wait on a sleeper that is being overlooked. Most I get are in the 20-30$ range but I had to pony up for an elusive 714Z that was NIB - but it was worth it. I don't have any 706's, but this rod needs it.
Thanks again for the compliments and the offer!

OK I got the word out. I'll let you know.

I love that blue conolon rod. but i also wouldn't get bothered by the greenie with the blue rod. i happen to like the color combo, but with anything it's about personal preference. very good work on the projects!

Decided to go with no grips on the Natty Conolon. Full length tiger wrap on the butt, and a bout 4 1/2 inches on the fore grip. Black/Yellow on the bottom, Chartruse Green and yellow on the top. Hope it "moves"..never know till it's done.

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5659&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5660&stc=1

Ramz are you doing a sacrificial thread on the top layer?

Yes, BigBoy, at least one. Gonna put on a 3 thread over wrap, and remove one, or 2. I will experiment on the fore grip to see which moves most and looks the best.

I have a black spool 706z that I don't need or use I picked up here...... if interested....?80.00

Thanks ironman, I am interested, and the price is quite fair...but a bit over my budget. I limit my reel price to $30 to keep my accountant happy.

My oh my.....good luck with 30.00......Merry Christmas

Just found out my boy will be changing squadrons in the Navy, and will be returning to the East coast when he gets back from his current assignment. He will be meeting us in GS for a week or so in May and will be getting the "Blue' for a late Christmas present - and probably another if I can find one before spring. If any of y'all have some vintage junk hanging in the garage, I would be interested.

2 piece, 7-9ft. Med heavy, or heavy. Grips and guides do not matter - just need a good blank.

Tried the 3 thread top wrap. Chartruse Green, yellow and a brown sacrificial. Pulled the brown - did not like it, so I pulled the green and left the yellow. It "moved" wonderfully - but I did not like the color match to the finished idea. Stripped it all and started over with a 2 thread top coat - Chartruse Green and brown sacrificial.
YES! I will post pics when the finish is completed. Ran out of thread and had to order more for the butt section.

Brownie is done. The Tiger was an adventure, and personally not my favorite wrap. But hey some like it weird. It's s solid rod and will make a nice pier rod this spring.http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5677&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5678&stc=1

Winter projects DONE! Sorta like finishing a good book, a bit depressing.
Bummer is I still have 4 months till they see salt. May find a warm day and see how they handle a few 10lb stripers on the lake .
http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5682&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5683&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5684&stc=1

Well done,

Nice work there RamZ!

Looks good! I've been thinking about getting a starter kit to finish my own blanks for years, and somehow never have.

Thanks All for the kind words.

And fordguy, go for it! It's a great hobby that I have grown to love over the last several months. I find it challenging and relaxing at the same time. Does not cost much if you stay simple to start.

Ironman - had no luck on the 706, but lucked out on 3 704Z's with free shipping on fleabay - on budget!. I'll clean them up, hang one on the Blue for my boy, one for the cobia rod Todd has been holding and I've got another old Heddon to rework for the extra.
Running out of rack space, gonna have to start selling something to support the habit!

Had some time left, and snagged a Diawa 1125, 2 pc surf rod at the local flea market - and several others. It's a rare Made in the good ole' USA blank, and did not need refinishing. Just new guides and a new urethane finish. I struggled with color selection, and cut off more thread than I ended up wrapping. Ended up with a blue/green deco wrap and doubled up the guide wraps for the Biggun's.
https://youtu.be/zEjBG9-Fwf0