The rod is together and all I lack is the varnish/epoxy on the wraps. The assemby went well but making a cork bushing for the reel seat was tedious. I used the fiberglass drywall tape for the upper bushing and the cork for the lower. The drywall tape worked well but next time I'd tie it down with a few thread wraps before adding the epoxy and slidding on the seat.

Of course they supplied a two part epoxy but a guy's poston another forum concerning spar varnish interested me. I made this one to be a fishing tool: plain black wraps, black guides, black U3 Pac Bay set ( std stuff i'll experiment next rod). In keeping with this the no fuss / low sheen, varnish sounds good. I'm a woodguy so I understand this finishing product.

Does it require any thinning to get good penetration of the wraps?

I also assume that the multiple thin coats do not require turning the rod as it dries.

Normall I lightly sand between varnish coats but this seems like a bad idea here, any advise?

Any need to try to work varnish or superglue under the single foot guides.

How about the cork, anyone add an oil finish to this area such as Tung or linseed?

I'll put up some pics when its all done...