I have a Fenwick Elite Tech Bass rod with the EVA and TAC handle design.  The foam has lost it grip and feels almost slick.  I love the rod but just curious if there's anything i can do to get recapture some sort of grip on the handle?

 

Anyone else have this issue?

2 minutes ago, 5965derek said:

I'd try some rubbing alcohol on a washcloth first and see if that helps.  If not maybe some really fine sandpaper followed by wiping down with alcohol.  My dad's carbonlite rods get slick like that after a few months use and I'd always wipe the gunk off with some alcohol and it would help. Good luck

try this,also you can use 100 grit sandpaper and lightly touch sand it.

Accu Cull Grip Saver from TW

If worse came to worse you could find a good rod repair guy. I had a defective reel seat ( the section you tighten up to hold the reel) allowing the reel to get loose all of the time. This was on a brand new IMX G Loomis rod and they had changed from the original all metal setup.  My so;ution was to change the reel seat (which you would not have to do) and replace the full cork rear grip with a split grip from Winn Grips.

It did not cost much and I am thrilled with the results. Now I chose the "natural" look but you could easily consider the all black set so it would look  like eva foam. The bottom pic is the before and the top is what I love in my hand. For more examples go to my friends website and look under galleries.  Here is his website.  http://www.tomscustomrods.com/custom-rods-galley/  Another option is to go to Mudd Hole and look at their shrink tube. 

Cleaning the Eva with simple green or alcohol should bring them back. Light sanding is ok but 100 is way too course. 250 or 400 is a better choice. 

Thanks for all the responses... I'm going to try light sandpaper first then apply a little alcohol/simple green.

 

If the cleaning recommendations don't work you can renew the grip by applying Winn Grip tape to the grip.  I think they cost $10, come in many colors, are a piece of cake to install, and give the Winn Grip feel.

 

http://www.mudhole.com/Winn-Rod-Overwrap-Grip-Tape

Would the Winn grip tape stick to the foam?  I think covering cork with this would be great but the foam not so sure.

Instead of the Winn Grips go to Mud Hole and go to the components drop down menu. Look at the Handles and Grips, then select TAPE CORK and SHRINK. Look at the colored heat shrink grip material.  My custom rod builder has used that on a few rods. It worked great over EVA foam. If you look at the blue handled rod with the X pattern that is that exact material layered over some wearing eva. The rod's owner is very picky so it must have worked out well since I know he is still fishing it that way.  

 

You might try the simple green / alcohol first, this would not be an "application" that add's grip. More a "cleaning" that is removing accumulated dirt / oils which is reducing grip. If that works then no need to take sandpaper to the grips. I'd always try the non destructive method first.