John...I have only done a few rods, so I bet there is better advice out there, but here's mine. Try sanding the epoxy with some 400 grit paper to get the finger prints out. Make sure that you don't sand into the thread. It might get some of the other stuff out too. Then clean it with denatured alcohol and make sure the surface is completely clean. I did the same once and was able to sand out my prints.
Then recoat with epoxy. I quickly learned it was better to do more thin coats than less thick coats of epoxy.
Charlie