Old varnish

[pommy]

Greetings all!

Can anyone let me know, what is the best way of removing varnish from the surface of an old beach rod?

I have a couple of rods that have patches of peeling varnish between the guides. Do I carefully pick them off with a scalpel or is there a solvent that will wipe off the varnish?

Best regards, Rob.
Ballina.

[RFARREN]

no easy way
get a old butter knife and use the back edge over the varnish
or if you have a rod lathe spin the rod and do it
if the varnish is flakey it will come off easy

[dreemon]

you might try just using paint n varnish remover along with fine steel wool , as the varnish clogs the s/wool just keep using new bits , I've done it with furniture and it comes out uniform, good luck

[pommy]

Greetings all!

I removed the patches of varnish from an old 12ft Butterworth rod about 4 years ago. It took me 3-4 hours with a surgical scalpel.

I can do the same with these rods but was wondering if there was anything quicker?

Regards, Rob.
Ballina.

How did this come up again?! Appologies!

[momma60]

Hi Rob, metho will dissolve varnish. Use 000 or 0000 steel wool and keep wiping any gunk off with paper towel or rags. Be generous with the metho & do small areas at a time

The best thing with metho & steel wool is you don't have to go with the grain.

I have used this on vintage & antique furniture and it was recommended by an furniture restorer (old bloke too)

.....momma