I use the citrus stripper as well, and much the same as Mr. Blur. that is one of the safest strippers to use on bamboo rods as it won't penetrate and impact the glue lines. Still yet, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Like Clyde, I use a lot of alcohol when I am stripping a rod, especially if it is a rod that may have some value at some point in it's life...(guess they all do that though don't they).