Been experimenting with staining cork. Here's the best I've come up with so far. Just some plain and burl cork rings, sanded a bit, and filled. Two coats of dye, and three coats of tru-oil, then buffed with scotchbrite to knock down the shine. Still got a bug or two to work out.

 

Blue, brown yellow and red. Plain cork on the left, burl on the right.

The dye may not have penetrated very deeply. I'd turn a few rings to check that before doing too many.

I would think you'd need to do the coloring after you finish turning the grip.

Exactly right, gents. I just wanted to see what it would look like before wasting too much time, or ruining a decent grip. I used some scrap pieces, and some with a lot of holes and gaps, just to get an idea of how to do it for real.

 

I have a grip made for a jerkbait rod, 5 1/2" mixed burl and regular cork, with rubberized butt cap. almost ready to color. I'll post some pics when it's done.

I would think the Tru-oil be necessary to keep the dye in place,  I know how stuff in wet environments can bleed.

Pretty cool... The rod world has become a lot like Harley's. it's endless.

I would think the Tru-oil be necessary to keep the dye in place,  I know how stuff in wet environments can bleed.

That was my thinking. But i didn't like the glossy look. I used a scotchbrite pad to knock down the shine. You think steel wool would be better?

That was my thinking. But i didn't like the glossy look. I used a scotchbrite pad to knock down the shine. You think steel wool would be better?

All about the same.

Put them into a vacuum container with the dye and vacuum seal them, they will take on a ton of the dye and might be able to get away with only 1 coating.

Ive stained rod handles before. I used regular wood stain,and it comes in a multitude of different colors. Im no pro rod builder or nothin,but i do like to tinker around. I sanded the cork,and just stained it like it was wood. After it dried,i sand it with very fine sandpaper,top coated with spray spar urathene. Been 4 years,and the rod gets alot of use in all weather,still looks great.