I'm no expert, but I'd be inclined to use a cratex bit in a Dremel tool. It's a rubber bit impregnated with a fine abrasive. I'm assuming they are snake guides? Also, you can finish them off with Simichrome polish, which provides a bit more corrosion resistance than bare metal. I use it to polish the smooth face of the triggers on my DA revolvers; never had one rust yet.

What I got out of this post:
Here's a guy who is into his backing often enough that it is taking a toll on his guides!
YES!!!!!! Well done, pal.
brent

I agree with hipshot. The cratex should work well for what you are intending to do.

Wish I could get into may backing just once. Maybe next year.

Y'all come on down to the coast with me. You'll get into your backing.

Indeed, could have left the backing part out of the post; gave in to the temptation though.

I am trying to solve a problem with the rod, or at least the perception of a problem. The rod seems to have lost it's "pop" and my cast's
seem to "drag". Thinking it could be the tiny grooves on the guides but not sure.

Thanks for the suggestion Mac, especially the suggestion regarding the use of the guides with inserts.
On line the cratex products look expensive although I haven't checked Harbor Freight yet (I don't own
a Drummel tool so I have to figure that cost into the project).

I may be happier with new guides especially if they provide less friction and put that "pop" back into my cast
with this rod.

Thanks Hipshot. Information is helpful.

Jim, don’t use 5 min epoxy, it yellows. I also wouldn’t use head cement for flies either. Of course that s just my opinion. I use FlexCoat lite build rod finishing epoxy. You have to put it on a drying motor for several hours before it sets up enough to no longer drip. I normally just leave it on my drying motor overnight or a good 12 hours. For emergency on stream rod repairs Bass Pro sells a kit that comes with the equivalent to Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails in a blue bottle with a razor blade some tread, and a couple of guides. But like I said about the head cement I don’t recommend using it except to save a trip from ending when you have no other rod to use. Mudhole has some fad setting rod finish that only has to be in the drying motor for 5 mins, I used it a couple years back while I was in Honduras and it worked pretty good if I remember correctly, it is not the standard 2 part rod finish exoxy, comes pre mixed.

After a brief research of my previous post I found the name of it and it is a 15 minute cure time not 5.
Gudebrod Ready-to-use rod finish

Took my finished rod out yesterday for a few test casts -- worked great, has that snap back I was looking to regain. Wound up putting Snakebrand guides, using some thread and lacquer from the basspro near my house. Put about five coats of lacquer. Skipped wrapping tape over the lacquer; hope that not a mistake.