How Can You Preserve Cork Handles?

[dtruesdell24]

I have a G Loomis, which I take very good care of but regardless it still gets chips. I would hate to see the handle deteriorate. I also do not want it to happen to my other rods. Does any body know any good seals? or any other ways to preserve it?

[Darren.]

I have a G Loomis, which I take very good care of but regardless it still gets chips. I would hate to see the handle deteriorate. I also do not want it to happen to my other rods. Does any body know any good seals? or any other ways to preserve it?

Get some U-40 Cork Sealer.

 

Works great.

[iabass8]

A product called U-40 will seal the cork and preserve it very well. It's a fantastic product.

[new2BC4bass]

I've got to order some.  I'm another who like's to keep rods looking like new.  Does it also help the cork to keep from becoming dark from sweat stains?

[pbizzle]

I fished for 12 days straight from 6AM - 9PM (minus 2 hours for lunch and a nap) in 85° heat tn vacation this year since the condo has a pier built on to it. The rod I used 90% of the time had cork handles. I don't know if it was the sweat,slime,or fish guts that did it but that rod smells AWFUL now. Anyone know how to get rid of this?

[aavery2]

Magic eraser then seal with u-40.

[bigbill]

I restore wood gun stocks and I use tung oil a lot. It takes ten thin coats of tung oil before it's built up and water proof. The lesser coats it n there soaked in but you can't see it. I wonder if it will seal cork too. I wonder if I can use an oil stain too?

I have an awesome looking blank, tube what ever you call it. And a nice light oak colored cork handle would make it look like a million dollar rod. I'm very careful with my rods not to ding and chip them. But the cork gets dirty so quickly.

I often wondered why no electrical shrink boot was ever offered for fishing rod handles that stuff is tough.

[curtis9]

Any suggestions on where to order u40?

[aavery2]

Any suggestions on where to order u40?

The Tackle Trap has it.

[kickerfish1]

I fished for 12 days straight from 6AM - 9PM (minus 2 hours for lunch and a nap) in 85° heat tn vacation this year since the condo has a pier built on to it. The rod I used 90% of the time had cork handles. I don't know if it was the sweat,slime,or fish guts that did it but that rod smells AWFUL now. Anyone know how to get rid of this?

Axe body spray!

What I would do is remove the reel from the rod. Take a bucket of warm soapy water and spray a shot or two of 409 and scrub the cork using a soft brush like an old toothbrush. This should remove the unwanted scent and grime. If there is remaining soiling on the cork, use a Mr. Clean magic eraser to give it the like new finish. To prevent further deterioration of the cork, apply U40 cork sealant. This would be at least a good place to start.

[jignfule]

Magic eraser then seal with u-40.

yep!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

U40 is the way to go. Cork won't absorb stains and such. They do make shrink wrap for rod handles but you obviously loose the feel of the cork.

[bassin is addicting]

Magic eraser then seal with u-40

 

X3

 

i got my U-40 on ebay... it was from a tackle/rod repair outfit that sold on there..  so i felt confident it was not "old" stock.

[dtruesdell24]

Get some U-40 Cork Sealer.

 

Works great.

How many handles will one thing of U-40 seal?

[Darren.]

How many handles will one thing of U-40 seal?

 

Well, I've only done maybe 6 rods, and I've got practically a full little bottle. Should do plenty.

 

I lightly sand the handle, if dirty, and use a toothbrush to apply. I let it dry, and it's good-to-go.

[*Hootie]

Well, I've only done maybe 6 rods, and I've got practically a full little bottle. Should do plenty.

Same here, I have done 7 rods and still almost a full bottle.

Hootie

[MarkH024]

Magic eraser then seal with u-40

 

X3

 

i got my U-40 on ebay... it was from a tackle/rod repair outfit that sold on there..  so i felt confident it was not "old" stock.

 

x4.  Ebay had it for a good price and got mine for some ridiculously low shipping cost too.

How many handles will one thing of U-40 seal?

More than a couple decades worth of rods probably. You only need a really thin coat to seal it and it goes a long way. 

[bigbill]

What is the sealer made out of?? U-40?

I was wondering if I could color stain the cork first?

Since my new lews rods have a maroon colored tubes I have an awesome reddish colored gun stock stain.

[Darren.]

What is the sealer made out of?? U-40?

I was wondering if I could color stain the cork first?

Since my new lews rods have a maroon colored tubes I have an awesome reddish colored gun stock stain.

 

You could probably stain the cork first. I believe it is silicone-based, but haven't looked at the ingredients. It's just a coating that sinks in a little ways to provide the seal.

[pbizzle]

Axe body spray!

What I would do is remove the reel from the rod. Take a bucket of warm soapy water and spray a shot or two of 409 and scrub the cork using a soft brush like an old toothbrush. This should remove the unwanted scent and grime. If there is remaining soiling on the cork, use a Mr. Clean magic eraser to give it the like new finish. To prevent further deterioration of the cork, apply U40 cork sealant. This would be at least a good place to start.

I wanted to make it smell better, not awful. 

[gradyreel30]

SOS pads or Steel wool will easily take stains off that have been there a while.