New finish on old fiberglass rod.

I have a brand new Wright & McGill fiberglass rod, it's from the 50s or 60s, the Rod has never been used but it seems what finish was there isn't much anymore. Whatever they used must have been very thin, even around the wraps you can hardly see anything.

Maybe they used shellac, there's no cracking or anything. Is there anything I can put on, I'm mostly want it so the line is smoother when it hits the rod or if the rod rubs on something that may scratch the glass.

I was kinda thinking a few coats of boiled linseed oil may work.



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I have an old Ted Williams boat rod for salt water that still has all the original windings. I considered loaning it to my SIL but didn’t want to lose the class of the original windings. So by not turning on the brain before getting into action, I put a coat of flex coat on. After the first brush stroke, I realized my mistake. The thread isn’t colorfast and by the time it was done became almost transparent. So it isn’t pretty anymore but it is as it came from the factory and now the windings are tougher than ever. My point is that if you’re going to coat it with anything, consider a color sealer first. Brent Corley on the rod making forum might be able to give you a better answer than I have.

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

I have an old Ted Williams boat rod for salt water that still has all the original windings. I considered loaning it to my SIL but didn’t want to lose the class of the original windings. So by not turning on the brain before getting into action, I put a coat of flex coat on. After the first brush stroke, I realized my mistake. The thread isn’t colorfast and by the time it was done became almost transparent. So it isn’t pretty anymore but it is as it came from the factory and now the windings are tougher than ever. My point is that if you’re going to coat it with anything, consider a color sealer first. Brent Corley on the rod making forum might be able to give you a better answer than I have.

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I did a small test spot with some boiled linseed oil, it didn't change the color and is looking like it may work good. Needs a day or so to dry so I'll see. I remember reading or from a old timer they used blo on glass and bamboo rods, it will flex some to. Seen more then once to use it on Cork, I did a small test spot and seems nice it's not as slippery either in the spot.

Spar varnish was the finish of choice back then. I wouldn't put anything on it, it won't need it.