Cork Handles

[MrPeanut]

Hey All

 

question about the cork handles, as mine are still pretty dirty looking from last year, how do you guys clean them off a bit?  I thought I had read somewhere a little rubbing alcohol and some elbow grease, but wasn't sure and couldn't find the info again

[MarkH024]

Get a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Dip in water, scrub and be amazed.  Then look into some U40 cork sealant to protect in the future. One bottle will last you a very long time.

[roadwarrior]

Touche!

 

 

 

 

 

[MrPeanut]

awesome!  thanks for the tip, I'll check that out

[HoosierHawgs]

Rubbing alcohol on a white rag... It'll show you just how dirty cork handles can be.... Even new ones. Cork dust is nasty.

[SirSnookalot]

Denatured alcohol will work but it pushes some of the dirt into the pores of the cork.  Magic eraser IMO is a better option.

[TrippyJai]

I use the Magic Eraser as well. It's like a dollar for a pack of 2.

 

Have a bucket of water out, soak the sponge, squeeze and start scrubbing then repeat. It does a great job and on darker stains, you'll have to scrub a bit harder.

[F14A-B]

I tryed magic pads, it changed my cork handle.. Don't like it... Use 0000 steel wool. Works very well, a bit messy. Take your reels off first!

[Angry John]

The magic erasers are the best. Steel wool will leave small metal shards and then rust stains. Very fine sand paper works but get aggressive and you will change the shape.

[F14A-B]

The magic erasers are the best. Steel wool will leave small metal shards and then rust stains. Very fine sand paper works but get aggressive and you will change the shape.

Uh, hmm, hasn't for me, not at all... Not in years, not ever...

[Angry John]

I have not had it happen to me but I have seen pics. Prevented me from trying it myself, and the other methods have worked for me.

[Hogsticker]

Magic eraser. Simple and effective

[aavery2]

I tryed magic pads, it changed my cork handle.. Don't like it... Use 0000 steel wool. Works very well, a bit messy. Take your reels off first!

I was wondering what you mean by changed.   Can you elaborate a little.

[adam32]

I've never worried about cleaning my cork handles. I just give them a good coating of fish slime every once in a while.

[F14A-B]

I was wondering what you mean by changed. Can you elaborate a little.

Seems as though it prematurely aged the cork, as in the way a good 5 or 6 year old well used cork handled rod would appear, after years of sun, rain, etc.. This was a loomis cork handle. A lot of filler came out too. I was surprised. So many folks say it's the best way to clean cork... I used the extra strength and store branded { Kroger } I also use these at times on stainless cooking vessels, etc. works nicely on SS. The cork had a slight, what seems like a slight dimensional change. Something from the eraser caused this on this loomis handle. I can't determine more than that though. So for me, I will still use 0000 wool. Also I don't u40 on my cork either. I've never had a cork handle rust from shards of steel being trapped in the cork, though I can see where that may occur, it hasn't for me. Maybe loomis has dumbed down the cork too, lol..

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

If lots of filler came out the blame lies with the rod maker and age not the cleaner. Good cork is hard to find and expensive.

[aavery2]

Man that's crazy, don't blame you for not wanting to use them on your other rods.   I have not had the same experience, I wonder if the ones you used use a stronger chemical or something.    Anyway, thanks for sharing, kind of makes me rethink the way I have been cleaning my rods.

[AQUA VELVA]

I've been using a product called Cork Magic by Elite Series Products for a couple of years now and it seems to work great. I believe they also make a cork sealer but I have not tried that yet.