To U40 or Not To U40...that is the question

[Brett's_daddy]

I just got my very first G. Loomis rod, an IMX PRO 844C. This is by far my best rod and my pride and joy, my question is should I use U40 on the cork handle or leave it all natural? I know some people use magic erasers to clean the handles if they get grimy looking so I’m not sure which way would be the best to go?

[MickD]

You will get conflicting opinions on this, but mine is that it does not adversely affect feel and it helps to preserve cork, also making it easier to clean.  Since cork does not really absorb anything, if you don't like it you can do a light sanding and have fresh uncoated cork.

[DaubsNU1]

For what it's worth...I'm still fishing multiple Cabela's branded rods I purchased in the early 1990's.

 

All have cork handles.  Never treated them with anything. 

 

I have pretty oily skin. All have held up just fine.

[J._Bricker]

  Congrats @Brett's_daddyon the new rod. Without a doubt one coat of U-40 as part of the sealing process will help keep the filler in the cork. I’d also recommend using emory paper instead of the magic eraser, but everyone has their preferences.
   As an example, a while ago I sanded and refilled my unsealed rod handles (the pictures are of an Okuma and Powell rods) then used U-40 to seal and finish them up. I was very happy with the results and at the time I wondered why I didn’t heed everyone’s advice and use U-40 sooner. 

 

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I also see no downside to U40. 

[looking45]

One option is to cover the handles with shrink tubing. Easy to clean and you can take it off without any damage to the cork

[Mobasser]

Ive never used U40 but have not heard any negatives. For a long time I've cleaned cork handles with Dawn dish soap. It's worked fine.

[Brett's_daddy]

I ordered a small tub from TW. I've Googled it and it doesn't seem like a very hard process and the benefits seem to outweigh any diminished "fresh" cork look I think.

[Cbump]

1 hour ago, looking45 said:

One option is to cover the handles with shrink tubing. Easy to clean and you can take it off without any damage to the cork

Why in gods name would you buy a $250+ loomis rod with nice cork and shrink wrap It?

 

 

I u40 all of mine. 

33 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

I ordered a small tub from TW. I've Googled it and it doesn't seem like a very hard process and the benefits seem to outweigh any diminished "fresh" cork look I think.

 
 

Extremely easy. I dip a rag in, coat cork, wipe excess, stand in corner for 24 hours. 

[MN Fisher]

I U-40 every cork handle - even my cheap Okuma Celilos get it.

[Mike L]

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

I U-40 every cork handle - even my cheap Okuma Celilos get it.

Yep

Every one 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[SproDD79]

U40 for the win! I put it on every rod own as soon as purchase it. I have been very happy with it. 

[FrnkNsteen]

U40 here too! Every cork handled rod I have it has been done.

[Columbia Craw]

Factory plastic wrap comes off and U40 goes on.

[waymont]

100% yes. I seal every cork handle I have. Before I started after two years you will start to see the cork degrade if you fish as much as I do  in very hot weather and in the rain.

[Bigassbass]

I love good fishing gear as much as anybody, but in all my years fishing I've never had a cork handle  that crumbled or tore off.  I've ruined a few sticking my hook in the handle.  I never use a coating, U 40 is like a paint propalene you don't need that on your fishing rods.  One its toxic, two it changes the color, and last it makes the handle slicker than it was intended to be.  Fishing rods last a long time so, I think it's a waste of time, work and money to coat them with anything other than water.

[Motoboss]

My near 30 year old Loomis rods have never had any sealer on them, in fact no cork handle rods I own. I like the dirty “used” look and feel of them, and they are still in perfect condition.

 I did use a majik eraser on them when I spring serviced and re-lined the reels just this year and they look like new.

 I see no use for sealers on a natural product. Natural cork has been used for hundreds of years in flooring and sealer has never been used or recommended.
Think of the abuse flooring receives!

[padlin]

Ditto on the magic eraser, look like new after a minute or 2. I was considering U40 till I tried the Magic Eraser during my preseason maintenance.

[Hulkster]

Ive never used it. been fishing with cork handles for years and years. 

aIve never used it. been fishing with cork handles for years and years. 

 

that being said, now that I have read about the product now I want to use it LOL 

[Mbirdsley]

On 5/28/2023 at 1:23 PM, Motoboss said:

My near 30 year old Loomis rods have never had any sealer on them, in fact no cork handle rods I own. I like the dirty “used” look and feel of them, and they are still in perfect condition.

 I did use a majik eraser on them when I spring serviced and re-lined the reels just this year and they look like new.

 I see no use for sealers on a natural product. Natural cork has been used for hundreds of years in flooring and sealer has never been used or recommended.
Think of the abuse flooring receives!

Me too.  I like my stuff to look like it’s been used and fished hard.  Not to be confused with the beat hard and neglected look. 

[Deephaven]

Yes.  If you've ever owned Birkenstocks and not treated the cork and compared with ones that were treated you would quickly make sure to do all of your rods.

[Hytekrednek]

I just got 2 jars of u40 in the other day. I have never treated any of my cork rods in the past, but I will soon. It is time to clean my rods and reels, so I figured I would seal them too after a good clean this time. I plan to just try it out on one rod first to make sure I dont hate it. 

I like cork much better than the foam handles, but if there is a choice, I go with carbon fiber or composite handles. With carbon handles, soap and water is all thats needed, plus they feel so much better to me and are usually more sensitive.