Cleaning the cork on a rod

[Brian4618]

Is there any way to wash or clean the cork on a rod? Some of mine have faded from the factory white and clean to a dark dirty look. Is there anyway to clean them?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The best way is Mr Clean Magic Eraser. That will clean them up nicely. 

[J Francho]

Yep, magic eraser.  Then wood filler, and light sanding.  Seal with U-40 and it'll look and feel good for a long time.

[Alpster]

Use a stiff bristle brush and pure alcohol. Scrub it real good and it will look like new without grinding up your cork.

Ronnie

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I cleaned a Carrot Stix Gold handle with a Magig Eraser yesterday....they work wonderfully, I'll have to take an after picture and post a before....it was nasty.  I bought a rod off of a member here last year some time and it had been treated with U-40.  It looked nice but I didn't care for the feel of it, plus it always looked wet

[Jig Man]

I use a brush and Totally Awesome from Dollar General.

[.RM.]

Like Ronnie, I use denatured alcohol (because it lifts grease and grim easily without needed saturation of the cork like soap and water), and a coarse cotton wash cloth.

I bought a rod off of a member here last year some time and it had been treated with U-40. It looked nice but I didn't care for the feel of it, plus it always looked wet

Sealing the cork with a light coating of U-40 cork sealer, will make annual cleanup easier and shouldn't cause the grip texture to change as it is absorbed. Sounds like the builder used to heavy of a coating...

Tight Lines!!!

[Crookedneck]

I use the denatured alcohol myself.  a bristle brush, maybe a light sanding if needed.  If you want to fill the pits with wood filler you can, use Elmers Wood filler in the Golden Oak color. matches about as close as you are going to get.

Good luck.

[J Francho]

Like Ronnie, I use denatured alcohol (because it lifts grease and grim easily without needed saturation of the cork like soap and water), and a coarse cotton wash cloth.

I bought a rod off of a member here last year some time and it had been treated with U-40. It looked nice but I didn't care for the feel of it, plus it always looked wet

Sealing the cork with a light coating of U-40 cork sealer, will make annual cleanup easier and shouldn't cause the grip texture to change as it is absorbed. Sounds like the builder used to heavy of a coating...

Tight Lines!!!

I agree.  I have about half my rods treated with U-40, and the only difference is the treated ones still look nice and new.

[Brian4618]

Thanks guys, the magic eraser worked great, ill try some of the other suggestions if I want a better look.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Before

After

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Bumping an older thread...

I tried out that magic eraser earlier today.  I'm sold.  That thing does a great job on cork.  I didn't realize how much grime was built up on my rod handles.  Feels brand new.  No more slipping when the handle gets wet.