Over 40 years ago I destroyed the butt section of a 9’ Wright & McGill Granger rod. Shortly thereafter I converted and refinished the mid section to be a butt section and successfully used it as a 6’ rod with a 4 wgt line. Now I see that the varnish on the tip section that was always in service has deteriorated. In the winding areas it looks OK so I very gently scraped and steel-wooled the varnish from the affected spaces and want to refinish those places only. The windings and varnish around them looks great. What varnish and what process is recommended? I don’t recall what I used in the original rework 40 years ago.
Good question Ray. The Grangers have that great cinnamon color that makes them look so great and with many of the varnishes on the market today being clear or neutral, it would be hard to get that color match the same. I would suggest that you contact Mike Brooks about that particular varnish. Mike is an outstanding rod builder and is an authority on finishes, and color matching. He comes to this site some I know but is more frequent on Fishnbamjo’s classic fly rod forum. Mike can lead you down the path of rightessnous on this finish.
If it were mine, I would leave the windings alone if they are ok and remove all of the varnish from the boo and redoo just the boo with a transition coat at the end over the entire rod. that would help to seal and protect those great vintage windings…
[url=http://www.classicflyrodforum.com:4381e]www.classicflyrodforum.com[/url:4381e]
Thanks for the response. Your suggestion is exactly what I want to do. I’ll certainly follow up on the website.
Ray, just a thought. I alternate the tips of two tip rods. That way one tip does not see excessive wear. If you had done that you might not have to worry about this for another 40 years.
Joe
Flyfisherjoe, How did you know that I have the other tip section that has never been used ?