CORK HANDLE CARE??!!

[thedw]

hi guys how do u take care of rods with cork grips??

would u advice the use of cork sealant? if not any other chemicals/varnishes that i can use?

rod will be exposed to saltwater

[elnath]

I am a fan of U-40 Cork Seal.  Just make sure you wipe off all the excess so you don't end up with a slippery surface.

I have to admit that if it's a rod I'm going to use hard in SW I tend to put shrink tubing over the cork (generally I remove it after the season and replace at the beginning of the next).

[LTM]

Ive heard of U-40 and the slipperness that comes with it. I like cork on my inshore rods, however I dont use sealants on the cork. I feel that cork shouldnt be sealed; but I do think they could use some type of lubrication/maintenance periodically. My cork handled rods require more attention from me in regards to how I handle them when Im fishing. I wipe my hands often when fishing them and on the way back to port I wipe them down real good and when I get home I clean them well FIRST before my other gear. im not one of those fishermen with dried fish scales imbedded in my rods/gear. I keep all of my tools clean, and when I need auto service I dont use shops where mechanics have dirty tools.

Leo

[harryk3616]

just use the rod and hose it down after using, it's not a show piece, you can ocassionally hit it with fine sand paper and it will look like brand new, cork is very durable, if there is scales on it ,it proves you were successful, fish on

[alantani]

isn't there a chemical, maybe oxalic acid, that will brighten wood, even cork?

[Jerseymic]

How about boiled linseed oil, I use it on wood, it seals, but also lets the wood breathe.

Found this, read the third and eighth posts http://fiberglassflyrodders.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16463

[Bucktail]

I generally leave my cork grips alone.  However I have tried a Magic Eraser on one of my rods and it worked great!

[LTM]

Who's to say its not HIS showpiece?? The fine sandpaper does a good job to restore the cork, just dont do it on a regular basis or you'll end up withoout any cork.

Leo

[Strewth]

U40 cork seal for both fresh and saltwater. Does not make the grips slippery if you apply one coat. Reduces pitting caused by filler falling out and is a great product. Use it on all my rods. To restore pitted cork, clean and then use a filler. After sanding back to shape, apply one coat of the U40.

[thedw]

hmm its actually quite an expensive and dear rod of mine..

gonna shy away from sanding it...

what i want here is maximum life span!

for those of u that do not advice cork sealant may i know the reason?

also has anyone tried cork wax?

[eric]

Saw a clip on You Tube where white candle wax was rubbed into/along the cork handle. A small blowtorch was then used to melt the wax into the cork.

I think a low flame from a gas stove would be better/safer, with the cork handle 'rotated' above the flame to melt the wax.

Regards Eric

[LTM]

DW,

If your cork has some "crud" baked into it from the sun that you cant get out, then try the sandpaper. You dont need alot of elbow grease, just light sandng with fine sandpaper is all it takes to remove/restore. If I were to apply/try the U40 I would give my grips a light sanding first. You may want to try it on a small spot to see if you want to continue with the entire handle.


Leo

[thedw]

thks for sharing guys!


any more advice?

[MFB]

I read somewhere that baking soda & water is good for cleaning cork grips, haven't tried it on mine yet though. Only have 2 rods with cork grips & they're both freshwater ones so they stay pretty clean.

Rgds

Mark

[Serrations]

After great results (on expensive well used rods), I vote Magic Eraser and then seal with U40 cork sealant. Dawn dish soap comes in second for cleaning.  Never tried any abrasives on cork unless I was trying to smooth out some damage. I have not noticed any change in feel of the cork after U40 application, and I believe the claims that it "holds" the cork filler used by rod manufacturer's in place is true. I'm now sealing new rods with U40 and so far.....so good. After a half dozen trips the cork still looks new.