Got some new rods and never done it before. I assume it darkens it a bit which doesn't bother me. But what happens when it starts to wear off un evenly? Then u put another coat on which is un even and it starts to look like crap or? I say wear un evenly because your hand doesn't touch the whole grip while holding it so. Let me know what's the deal don't want to make expensive rods look bad down the road.

Yes, one light coat of U40 cork sealant.

Yessirree, like Kickerfish, I seal 'em up with
U40. Good stuff. Clean it with some magic
eraser (as has been suggested in other threads).

Dad used to shallac them.

I don't bother. Skin oils and fish slime work great!

Josh

Never sealed my cork grips. I use a liquid cork cleaner. I don't like the feel of anything between me and the cork.

U40 for me, have used it for years and have not noticed any build up or being uneven.

44 minutes ago, AQUA VELVA said:

Never sealed my cork grips. I use a liquid cork cleaner. I don't like the feel of anything between me and the cork.

Where do you get or what's the liquid cork cleaner called? 

You guys using the U40, are u saying it's a once and done thing. And never needs done again?

Absolutely not. Cork is used for a reason. Sealing it changes for me the reason it is used for a handle in the first place. I prefer cork as cork is meant to be.

I have some rods that have been exposed to the elements for decades and are well weather worn. I like the feel of this weathered cork even more than new. I just do not understand the use of a sealant, but this is just my opinion. I would seal floors, wood decks outside, wood siding on a house, but a fishing rod handle? Hell no. Not me.

If I ever got a rod with sealant on the cork it would be sanded off or a new natural cork handle would be put on it.

As a side note, one of my fishing friends had a new rod with the plastic shrink wrap still on the cork handle. I can't tell you how long he used that rod with the brand new plastic shrink wrap still on the cork handle. It had to of been slippery as heck when wet. I can't imagine how using sealant would be all that different???

I'd like to ask those who use sealant- why? And does it make them more slippery when wet?

Biggest advantage is to help prevent the cork from pitting. I have had to add wood filler to several older rods from the 90s that had pritted pretty bad. It will help prevent or slow the pitting process down and keep cork filler sealed. Some also like the fact that it will add a slightly darker color to the cork. Another added benefit is the sealer helps add another small barrier between the cork itself and the elements like the oils from your hands, lake water, fish slime, etc. This will in turn allow for easier cleaning when it comes time to clean your cork with a magic eraser or whatever method you use.

Thanks for those answers or reasons.

45 minutes ago, kickerfish1 said:

Biggest advantage is to help prevent the cork from pitting. I have had to add wood filler to several older rods from the 90s that had pritted pretty bad. It will help prevent or slow the pitting process down and keep cork filler sealed. Some also like the fact that it will add a slightly darker color to the cork. Another added benefit is the sealer helps add another small barrier between the cork itself and the elements like the oils from your hands, lake water, fish slime, etc. This will in turn allow for easier cleaning when it comes time to clean your cork with a magic eraser or whatever method you use.

Magic eraser is ok on AAA grade cork?

I use it on my NRX and MB rods so I would say so. Never an issue or side effect.

2 hours ago, kickerfish1 said:

Yes, one light coat of U40 cork sealant.

~ X2 ~

This

A-Jay

I just cleaned all mine and sealed them with U-40 last month. It was a lot of work, but they all look nice now and hopefully will continue to do so without having to be deep cleaned every winter. 

Nope.  Think it's funny when people detail their rods. Waxing, erasing cork marks etc. A good used worn off color cork handle carries a little more mojo. Imo

I like rod wraps on many of my rods.  The different colors help me distinguish which rod is which when laid out on the deck.   I like a little fatter grip than what comes in most of my off the shelf rods.  Rod wraps serve a secondary purpose of protecting the cork, I guess.

I'm probably the only person on the planet that still uses rod wrap, but it caters to my ocd.  I will go to great lengths to keep my cork chalky new, and changes the condition from 'used' to 'lightly used' if I decide to sell it.  

Nope, nothing. I don't mind the weathered look or feel of the cork and I've usually upgraded long before pitting starts. I usually keep at most five rods and reels, I don't personally need anything more than that. So every couple of year or two I'll upgrade a rod, then a reel etc.

No, I do not.

I don't either, I don't mind the look and feel of worn cork.

I never have, but I don't have real high end gear.  The most expensive rod I own was $85 and has an EVA foam grip.  If I were to take the plunge on a rod with a really good cork grip I would consider making an effort to protect it.

Tyler

Nope, I like the feel of the cork. I dont like the look or feel of that sealer, its not that hard to clean them up with a magic eraser once a year. I bought a used St Croix cranking rod a few years back that was sealed by the previous owner, and honestly I turned around and sold it for a couple dollar loss just because I didnt like the feel. 

Always, U-40.  I don't notice any difference in the way the cork feels, but I do notice that my handles look way better than unsealed handles after just a few months. 

Been using U-40 for many, many years now and enjoy how they have that "new" look almost all season long. I've had a lot of rods, and have never noticed any difference in feel from the untreated to the treated cork. Easy to keep clean and one light coat is all it takes. Great stuff.

I get my U-40 from Jannsnetcraft.com.

 

Used sealant on all of my rods ( Loomis) and will keep on using it ....