I have several St Croix rods that have cork handles. They are getting very pitted and rough in some spots from use. Is there a good way to refurbish them without having to buy whole new handles? What do all you guys and gals do to keep your rods in good shape?  

If you want them to look new again, a mild soap and warm water soak followed by a light scrub brush and rinse will clean them almost to new... but will remove the rest of the filling from the pits.  (those pits were there when new, they were just filled with filler)  Once dried, it only takes a few minutes to re-fill the pits in the handle.

Thanks Flechero. I will do that. What type of filler would you suggest to refill the pits?

You can buy cork filler from Lamar manufacturing or Mud Hole.com but I don't know if it's any different or better than Elmer's carpenter's professional wood filler (golden oak color) I got it at lowe's for about $2.  (the "Natural" looks like a good match but it dries MUCH lighter   )   Some people use cork dust from sanding and mix it with epoxy or glue.  The filler works good for a while but when you give handles a good scrubbing you'll have to re-fill them.  It's a preference thing, and I never bothered re-filling unless the pits were really big and actually caused the grip to be uncomfortable.  These days I only use burl cork on my rods so I don't have pits large enough to fill in the first place.

Bassinfreak2,

Once you get the grips cleaned up and the pits re-filled, seal the grips with some U-40 Cork Sealer.

Tight Wraps All!!  

ReelMech

Does that cork sealer give the handle a glossy plastic-ish feel to it? Or does the cork just soak in in and keep its cork texture?

Also, about how much handle will one of those 2oz bottles cover?

Thanks

Matt

BucketmouthAngler13,

It maintains the cork feel, if it made the corks slick feeling I wouldn't use it. I have built about 25 - 30 rods since I opened my last jar, and I still have about 1/3 of a jar left. It only takes one coat.

A tip if you get some, replace the plastic jar with a glass jar.

Tight Wraps..

Reelmech,

You sell cork rod buts on your site. I have a few that need to be replaced. Will the cork sealer seal the cork buts you sell?

thanks

Matt

Yup   .....  

Thanks for the tips guys. I will be working on my rods this winter to get em back in shape.

Reelmech I just visited your site and grabbed a bottle of sealer.Thanks! I also have better than a half dozen Shimano reels that really need cleaned and refurbished. Avid says you do good work so I will probably be sending them to you in the near future.

I had several reels serviced by ReelMech earlier this year. You will be 100% satisfied.