Not to take away from the other thread about car waxing … but … how many of you wax your fly rods? Not the bamboo (I, too, like the new varnish smell for as long as possible!), but your graphite rods.
The first thing I do, after completing a build, is paraffin the ferrules. The next is to Turtle wax the rod. Is it my imagination that the waxing helps keep gunk from sticking?
What say you?
I hadn’t thought about it. But I was wondering how to keep the gunk off the rod I fished this weekend. It seemed to be a trash magnet. More of a static electricity kind of thing it seemed. A little wax couldn’t hurt.
I give a polish with Nu Finish polish a couple times a year. Seems to keep it cleaner and also a little extra distance. Cleaner for sure, Extra distance maybe my imagination.
As if a 9’ graphite lighting rod in your hand isn’t enough? Wax that puppy and change up the ions already emitting from it!!! Dont know if that is true or not, I just made up the ion part, but when I saw Kevin’s “static electricity” comment I recalled a Discovery show on lightening where an angler’s rod tip took a lighting strike and the charge exited through hie boots.
Got you wondering now, huh Betty???
John, If it added distance, there’ll be a run on Nu-Finish!! Actually, would the wax make it more aerodynamic?
Many years ago, in my bass tounament fishing days before I discovered the joy of the fly rod, I always kept my fiberglass bass boat clean and slick by using Johnson’s Pledge furniture polish on it. The Pledge would keep the outside surface slick and put a great shine to it without the build-up of wax. I have used the Pledge on my fly rods and I think it helps to keep dirt from sticking to them and when they are wiped down, the shine and the “slickness” comes back to the rod. Just a light mist of Pledge, wipe the rod down to spread the Pledge out and then buff them with a soft cloth and you are done. Only takes a minute or two. I use a cotton swab to clean around the guides and to apply a little Pledge to the inside of the guides. Although all of this is not really needed with the newer rods due to the fine finish most of them have, I still do it “just because”. I have been told that I am to particular, but, that’s just me and my “style”. I guess I feel that I cannot afford to purchase new rods everytime my last purchase has lost its “new” appeal and looks and need to take as good of care of the rods I am using.
Bass bug, You mean like this?? http://www.kmbc.com/news/19730665/detail.html
I wax the ferrules with paraffin before each fishing trip and wipe down the rod with furniture polish/wax after each trip.
I was fishing a little 8’ 5w I built. It was windy, which could add to the static thing, and it is graphite. Little bits of dried moss from the lake bed were collecting just in front of the grip.
Maybe some of the newer Pledge for Electronics? It is supposed to eliminate the static charge that collects dust on TVs and the like.
I agree Warren. A little Pledge works wonders
I’m another Pledge fan. I spray the Pledge on a rag and wipe the rod with it. After that I take a clean soft cloth and wipe it. You end up with a nice clean and shiney rod.
so polishing up the blank adds distance?
Same here…spray the cloth with Pledge…cleans and shines the blank nice. Also i’ll do each guide by dragging a smaller piece of old cotton t-shirt with Pledge on it through the guides, then a dry piece.
The whole process does give me the impression the rod casts easier and shoots better. Distance, i don’t know…maybe. Sure makes for something to do ff’ing related when it’s cold and such. Thanks Betty, great post !
Cheers,
MontanaMoose
Disatance and wax:
Does waxing the rod blank and guides add distance to a cast?
If you look at it from a simple logical viewpoint, of course it does.
The slick wax coating allows the rod to slip through the air easier. The coating also allows the line, where it might contact the blank, to slide along it easier. Wax on the guides, especially if you have wire giudes, makes them slicker so the line will slide easier.
In reality, though, the difference in casting distance will probably be slight. Probably measured in inches of additional average over a couple of hundred casts. It’s not going to add ten feet to your cast.
One professionally taught casting class, or a couple of hours of good practice, will make a much more profound difference in casting distance than any rod maintenance issue.
All that being said, though, if the cleaning and waxing of the rod makes you think it casts better, it probably does. Don’t underestimate the mindset of the fisherman as a valuable casting performance enhancer.
If you believe it is so, then it is so.
Buddy
“so polishing up the blank adds distance?”
Norman,
I cannot say that polishing adds any distance to your casting, but, it does add distance between the rod you are using now and your next new rod!
It’s just like your car drives better after you wash it! At least we tend to think that.
Wax is one thing on the rod and guides, but has anyone considered if the chemicals (CFC’s) in an aerosol furniture polish might not be good for the line? If they say bug repellent (DEET) will decrease the life of a fly line aren’t you all worried about what you’re exposing your lines to?
I’ve never used wax on a fly rod before, but you got me to thinking about taking the Pledge …
I was taught years ago to use Pledge Furniture polish on my Fiberglass and Graphite rods to keep them clean and looking new. The Carnuba wax in the product is what does the trick so Car polish with Carnuba in it would do as well. 
I do wax my fly rod with Turtle wax and I have been known to wash and iron my rod sock… I know pretty bad…
no starch though…:rolleyes:
My Pledge (well, wifey’s Pledge actually) says no CFC’s on the can. And anyway, i spray the cloth and when i’m cleaning the rod, the reel is nowhere close, but that’s just a coincidence. Oh and get this…i just read the can and figured out why my fly rods smell so great…wifey bought the ‘New Lemon Scented’ Pledge !
Cheers,
MontanaMoose
Man, we must be bored…