Taping joins - rod ruined!

[dunbar]

I never tape rod joints, and just use a little wax. However, earlier this week my friend persuaded me to use some 3m tape on my Hardy Sirrus 15'. Now the tape has stripped off all the lacquer and colouring right down to the bare blank, on one of the blanks - I ain't happy!

I phoned Hardy and the first thing they said was to never tape the joints on their rods, the section (s) will now need to be fully dipped and refurbished. Hardy mentioned about 150 pounds to refurbish! I'm really hacked off, the rod has been well looked after and this happens - I wasn't aware of the Hardy advice not to tape joints. I don't suppose this sort of thing is covered in the unconditional guarantee?

[Fruin]

Dunbar,

Unfortunately you are not the first and will not be the last, this seems to be a recurring theme with modern Hardy rods, and some other quality() tackle companies. It makes you wonder how robust the finish is when it will not even stand up to a little bit of tape.
All rod finishes that I have used, do not come off with tape. I have had it explained that rod finish designed to cure faster under UV light will peel off with tape. Whether Hardy use this technique, or not, I do not know.

[dunbar]

Fruin, thanks for the comments. I checked Hardy's blurb on their website and it says nothing about not taping their rods, so I will try to get this rectified under the guarantee. It really does make you wonder about the finish on modern 'quality' rods. The overall finish on modern Hardy rods seems to be lacking these days - enough to make me consider not buying another. They appear to use a softer finishing lacquer/epoxy on their newer rods, it is that soft that you can indent it with you nail.......

I will be popping down to Alnwick shortly to see what they can do. Seems daft when all I have to do is break the rod and they will replace it without quibble (not that I would do that).

thanks.

[Fruin]

Dunbar,

If the finish is that soft and it is a two part mix (likely), then they may have got the mix wrong, or some alien substance may have leaked into the mix, during the manufacturing process.

I would complain, and I would state that the finish seems too soft to be durable.

[dunbar]

Well, I traipsed down to the Hardy factory at Alnwick today. The two lads in the shop are always very helpful and pleasant, and they have left the rod with their customer services Department to deal with. I will await the outcome and deal with through correspondence, if necessary.

One thing they did say is NEVER tape Hardy rods - so there is some sage (Hardy) advice to heed.......However, there is absolutely nothing in writing to say you should never tape Hardy rods, either on their website, or blurb elsewhere, for example the 'care and use' advice for hardy rods - so we will see.

In any case, no rod should be damaged so severely to the bone by a modest application of tape....

The downside of going down to Alnwick is that I always seem to come away with more tackle - in this case an immaculate ex-demo Ultralite 13'6" #9 for a very good price - lovely rod. Looks like my Alltmor will be up for sale.

[rennie]

Got put off taping very early in my Salmon Fishing days,every rod I taped had the finish kn#####ed,so I stopped doing it.All my rods are heavily waxed and put up fresh each day and waxed each day,they don't move and it frequently takes two lots of hands to get them apart.Most of my rods have been used this way for some time and are well impregnated with wax,but I do keep an eye on things all the time and to date have had no disasters.Pedro.

[dunbar]

Update - Hardy have dealt with this very promptly and courteously. The damaged section will be replaced. Special thanks to Graham at Hardy Customer Services for dealing with this so efficiently. Graham reiterated Hardy advice not to use tape on their rods - an application of candle wax to the ferrules is all that is required. I think Hardy are aware of this thread.

[kercock]

The same rule applies to any rod in my opinion I taped a Hardy rod16 or 17yrs ago and the same thing happened,have'nt done it since. Check the joints regularly and there is no problem. This issue was on another thread some time ago as I recall.