Adhesives on fishing rods, what do I use to glue cork to the blank??

[The Rooster]

Will standard Krazy Glue work to hold cork glued onto the blank where your hand will grip it, or is there some other adhesive that's recommended over this?? I've used Krazy Glue in the past to glue tip tops on the end as a replacement when needed and this always worked, but that never involved constant contact from a hand gripping and applying pressure so I am unsure if it will work as a repair on a handle.

[.RM.]

Building or repairing cork grips is done in my shop with a waterproof 2 part rod builders epoxy (Flex Coat), crazy or super glue isn't water proof. The hard part is preparing the cork & blank for adhesion.

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!! 

[The Rooster]

Nuff said. Scrapping the idea of Krazy Glue now. I did not know it was not waterproof. I've used this stuff before to repair cracks in crankbaits when I accidentally bounced them off of rocks and chipped the finish. I was using a Rapala Shad Rap I had just bought, one for me and one for dad, we both bounced them off of the same rock and chipped them in the same places. I had some Krazy Glue so I applied it to "seal" the finish on both baits so the balsa wood wouldn't begin soaking up the water while using it. Since then it has seemed to work but I admit I have not fished that bait very much so I don't know how long it would hold up if used continually in the water.

I'll look into that flex coat. Got a catalog here from mudhole.com so I should be able to read up about it.  I was just thinking for what I wanted to do that it might be simpler to get some glue from a local source and make the repair.  I'd have to order the other stuff.

[Infidel.]

I normally use the 2 part epoxy like reel mech said but I also used Gorilla Glue for cork rings and a reel seat and it worked great.  Just have to clean up the expanded glue.

[.RM.]

I have seen rods that used Gorilla Glue that didn't get the right amount spread and didn't get it all cleaned up, it caused gaps between the rings.

It isn't the amount you use as much as the proper way to prep the rings and blank for adhesion. Get them prepped right and a ultra thin layer will hold a very long time....

I have had the opportunity to see the work of new builders that use other 2 part brands that weren't water proof and not made for rods (heavy flex), after a season of heat rain and drying the grips came lose and gapped.

Waterproof is a must and don't let anyone tell you different.....

Tight Lines!!!!

[The Rooster]

How do you prep the surfaces??  I'm assuming sanding of some kind??

[.RM.]

Yes sir. PM me for more info

Tight Lines!!! 

[cidgrad96]

A product like U40 Rod Bond is very easy to work with. It's a paste form which makes it much easier to deal with (goes where you put it - no running) and it cleans up very easily with denat alcohol. Very user friendly.

[BobP]

X2.  U-40 Rod Bond epoxy paste works great, gives you plenty of time to adjust parts (at least an hour!), will fill any gaps without running.

[FiSHCOX]

I stay away from gorilla glue, it actually expands while it sets.  Epoxy is the way to go (tuff coat)