Super User Crestliner2008 Posted June 22, 2015 Super User Posted June 22, 2015 I have a couple of beat up, old spinning rods with cork handles. Would like to just cover the cork and not replace it. I know BPS has tape specifically sold for this purpose, but I was hoping to get something local instead of trying to put together an order, with shipping cost. I've been thinking about tennis racquet handle tape? Seems to work well for those folks (I wouldn't have a clue!) and we have several shops here that specialize in this sport, not the least of which is Dick's. So do you think this kind of thing would work? Or maybe there is something in a hardware store that would suffice? Appreciate any input - Thanks Folks! Quote
curtis9 Posted June 22, 2015 Posted June 22, 2015 You can also clean fill and seal them with elmers wood filler. Quote
Super User MickD Posted June 22, 2015 Super User Posted June 22, 2015 Tennis raquet tape will work just fine. Go to the biggest shop around, pick the one that you like the most, and do it. That is the easiest way, looks good, feels very tacky. I think Winngrips might make a golf club tape that will probably work well, too. Winn is coming out with a specific tape for rod handle restoration and improvement, and it is excellent. Doubt if you can find it locally. Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted June 22, 2015 Super User Posted June 22, 2015 Go to Target and pick up a product made by Wilson called Tennis Raquet Overgrip. It's sold in packs of 3 for under 4$. This is the exact same thing as XPS rod wrap. I put it on all my rods. I love it. Quote
BASSPATROL247 Posted June 22, 2015 Posted June 22, 2015 For 20 years every rod i bought got the plastic/shrink wrap suff left on amd i wrapped the handle with black electrical tape, i was so worried about tearing up the cork so i did that. I think now about it and came to the conclusion if i was so worried about keepin it pretty to look nice and all along what did it matter if i never see it? Ha ha ha i still baby my gear but make sure i can see it now.. 1 Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted June 22, 2015 Super User Posted June 22, 2015 http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/159090-cork-sealant/#entry1796834 Quote
bt8897 Posted June 22, 2015 Posted June 22, 2015 Look up accu cull grip saver. It's a rubber shrink wrap made for this. I have them on a couple of my rods and have been pleased Quote
Grantman83 Posted June 22, 2015 Posted June 22, 2015 Tennis Racket Tape is the way to go....Tactile and soft. Or you could go the more expensive bat handle tape. Quote
Super User webertime Posted June 23, 2015 Super User Posted June 23, 2015 May I suggest bar tape from a bike shop. Much lighter than tennis grip. Tons of Colors. Available in vinyl, cork, synthetic cork, carbon, & leather. 1 Quote
Super User Crestliner2008 Posted June 23, 2015 Author Super User Posted June 23, 2015 Thanks guys! Some great suggestions indeed. Never thought about bike shop tape! Quote
Super User MickD Posted June 25, 2015 Super User Posted June 25, 2015 May I suggest bar tape from a bike shop. Much lighter than tennis grip. Tons of Colors. Available in vinyl, cork, synthetic cork, carbon, & leather. Do you have data on the weights? It seems to me they are pretty much equivalent, but I have no data. There's really not much mass in the tennis grips, so I would think it would be hard to find a similar product that is significantly lighter. Quote
RB 77 Posted June 26, 2015 Posted June 26, 2015 There are some good ideas in this thread. I would personally go with the Cork Filler, Cork Tape (bulk roll) or X-Wrap (large flocked shrink tube). Quote
hawkoath Posted June 26, 2015 Posted June 26, 2015 Tennis racket overgrips, bike tape, shrink wrap, etc... should all work if all you want to do is just have an extra layer to cover the old cork or give it a little more adhesive qualities. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of them though. Plastic wrap is by far the cheapest but the overall durability might not be the best and if you get it oily then it could easily cause slippage. It does have the least amount of weight and overall bulk though. Overgrips depending on the type can soak up water and will not last that long either. You have to replace them every so often as they soak up sweat and water and gradually degrade from friction. Overgrips don't necessarily have to be tacky though. Classic Sampras Tournagrips are much less tacky but they also don't last very long. You can though get a tennis replacement grip which is a lot more bulky but will last a lot longer and can stick on by itself. I wouldn't get oil on either overgrips or replacement grips. I've never used bicycle grips but they do seem a lot more durable and can deal with water, grime and oil better. They do seem more expensive though. My suggestion though before you spend money and time doing all of this is to simply clean the cork off first with whatever liquid detergent you have around and a sponge or that abrasive stuff. Probably in 90% of cases that would get the job done and you don't have to spend any additional money or time as everything you need should be at your sink anyways. If the rod handles are literally falling apart (not just a little filler getting out) think about duct taping everything together and adding the bicycle tape. If that's the case though you might just want to think about replacing the rod or handle. If you are going to be using the rods pretty often and the handle just has too many crevices it might be more cost effective just to do a refurbish of the handle (refer to Hoosier Hawgs's link). Hope this helps. Quote
Super User WRB Posted June 27, 2015 Super User Posted June 27, 2015 Simple Green soap and wash in warm water, rinse....lightly sand using 200 grit.....good as new. Tom Quote
Shanes7614 Posted June 27, 2015 Posted June 27, 2015 Simple Green soap and wash in warm water, rinse....lightly sand using 200 grit.....good as new. Tom Looks to me as if he's trying to find a material to COVER the cork and not how to clean it. Quote
Super User WRB Posted June 28, 2015 Super User Posted June 28, 2015 When you cover the cork with adhesive tape it increases the diameter, changes the weight / balance, gets slippery when wet and can twist. Cleaning is a lot easier and should be done prior to taping. Tom Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted June 28, 2015 Super User Posted June 28, 2015 When you cover the cork with adhesive tape it increases the diameter, changes the weight / balance, gets slippery when wet and can twist. Cleaning is a lot easier and should be done prior to taping. Tom Hardly increases dismeter using rod wrap/overgrip Changes weight/balamce...? Really? If anything it will help seeing as you add it to the handle. Wrap weighs so little the "increase in weight" using it will be so minute you won't know the difference. Cork gets wet/slippery. Rod wrap/overgrip doesnt get slick or slippery. It can twist? Thats a new one. I use it on all my rods and iver never experiemced it "twisting? That was a really silly statement, Tom. Quote
Super User WRB Posted June 28, 2015 Super User Posted June 28, 2015 Maybe you could add a few photos of tape wrapped handles that don't add any weight size increase. Most custom rods builders that I am aware of remove handle material to reduce weight; split grips for example. I know this sounds silly, but you pay a premium for light weight rods. Whatever, obviously not on the same page with this topic. Peace. Tom Quote
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