I bought a jar of U40 cork sealant.

 

What is your method to clean cork grips on your fishing rods?

 

And what's the best way to apply U40?

Wash with warm water and Dawn dish soap to remove oils. Buff with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. 
Done.

Not a fan of U40 sealer.

Tom

I clean the cork as Tom said. A Magic Eraser works well.

 

I started applying U40 with a small foam brush. Now I just use a paper towel folded down, dip it in and apply a light coat to all the cork and let it dry.

 

You don't have to use a ton. If you do, the excess just lays on the surface

With most cork it can help make them look better is (after cleaning and drying) to fill the pits with Elmer's golden oak exterior wood filler.  You apply it with something like a credit card, let it cure, then sand it off.  It sands easily.  Then apply the cork sealer as others have described, one coat, wipe off excess.  I have never felt a change in feel/texture as some have reported with U-40 cork sealer.