Ive just had a look at the rod. Yes a couple of the tip section eyes have a little over varnish on them. Carefully peeled the over varnish off 1 of the rings and it was only a little bit of varnish.No damaged to the ring finish under this varnish.Ring still has its original finish on it. Spigot does have over carbon spray on it but it looks to be factory finish as there is varnish over it where the spigot comes out of the butt section. Put the rod together with a tight fit and nearly an inch of spigot still showing. Mine and keiths weight is combined approx 35 stone and it took a bluddy chuffing good long pull on the sections to separate the rod.