U-40 Alternative

[Smirak]

Meant to purchase some U-40 for my rods. Forgot to add it to my order. Nobody locally carries it. Did some searching and saw a few people used Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil. I ran over to Cabela’s and picked up a bottle. Below is a before and after (2 different rods actually). Very nice finish and not slick at all. Haven’t gotten it wet yet, but a few of the “reviews” I read said it got slick with H2O. Either way, it looks very good. 

[S Hovanec]

I use Truoil on the composite cork grips I make.  It darkens the burnt cork nicely and gives the natural burl a richer appearance.

[KCFinesse]

I use tru-oil but do a lot of burl grips. I got started with it when I ran out of U40 one time. It adds a lot of character to everything. 

 

I haven't had any issues with it.

 

- Jared

[MickD]

For those who complain about U40 changing the feel of cork, Tru Oil will not be a satisfactory finish.  It makes the surface harder.  It's a gunstock finish.  I have it on a couple rods, and don't mind its feel, but I'm not as sensitive to "cork feel" as others seem to be. 

[Smirak]

I use a very similar, if not identical mix (prob not ratios) in my woodshop. Tru Oil is a mix of BLO (boiled linseed oil), varnish/poly and mineral spirits/thinner. I didn’t have any mixed up already, so I just bought some Tru Oil.

[Chris Catignani]

I have been using U-40 since it came out.
Lately I been using a product called Kelly's Cork Renew.
Kelly's Cork Renew
It applies similar to U-40 but its a little more viscus.
It does a better job of protecting the cork. One thing I noticed is that once it drys it had a bit of tackiness to it....which went away after a few days.
So...for someone who uses lots of cork on rods...If I had to pick...it would be Kelly

[S Hovanec]

On 1/7/2025 at 7:05 AM, MickD said:

It makes the surface harder.  It's a gunstock finish

 

My application process doesn't alter the feel.  I apply it like a wood stain.  With the grip turning on the lathe, I put a little bit on a paper towel and wipe it across the grip. I then take a dry paper towel and go back over it removing whatever wasn't absorbed by the cork.

Here's a before/after pic showing what the TruOil does to composite cork.

 

 

 

 

[Chris Catignani]

45 minutes ago, S Hovanec said:

 

My application process doesn't alter the feel.  I apply it like a wood stain.  With the grip turning on the lathe, I put a little bit on a paper towel and wipe it across the grip. I then take a dry paper towel and go back over it removing whatever wasn't absorbed by the cork.

Here's a before/after pic showing what the TruOil does to composite cork.

 

 

 

 

 

OK...that handle is just sick as (all get out)!

[MickD]

5 hours ago, Chris Catignani said:

 

 

 

5 hours ago, S Hovanec said:

My application process doesn't alter the feel.

 I expect those who can't accept U40 would disagree.  I think it's mostly in the head-burl cork isn't that soft to begin with.  I have rods with the grips coated with wrap epoxy, and they feel fine to me, and they look terrific.  Others have used matte finish polyurethane, and it really enhances the appearance, too.

 

Those who argue that coatings like this make the grips slippery when wet, IMO, are wrong.  Fish slime makes grips slippery.  Some coatings have better grip wet than dry.  The most important parameter affecting ability to grip a rod is grip/handle shape.  

[Smirak]

1 hour ago, MickD said:

 

 

 I expect those who can't accept U40 would disagree.  I think it's mostly in the head-burl cork isn't that soft to begin with.  I have rods with the grips coated with wrap epoxy, and they feel fine to me, and they look terrific.  Others have used matte finish polyurethane, and it really enhances the appearance, too.

 

Those who argue that coatings like this make the grips slippery when wet, IMO, are wrong.  Fish slime makes grips slippery.  Some coatings have better grip wet than dry.  The most important parameter affecting ability to grip a rod is grip/handle shape.  

Slippery when wet…such a great album

[Chris Catignani]

5 hours ago, Smirak said:

Slippery when wet…such a great album

As was The Wetter the Better..
 

 

Mick...I always felt like U40 covered cork was slippery when wet initially...and it would go away after a few days of uuse.

[MikeK]

On 1/8/2025 at 10:18 AM, S Hovanec said:

 

My application process doesn't alter the feel.  I apply it like a wood stain.  With the grip turning on the lathe, I put a little bit on a paper towel and wipe it across the grip. I then take a dry paper towel and go back over it removing whatever wasn't absorbed by the cork.

Here's a before/after pic showing what the TruOil does to composite cork.

 

 

 

 

Is that from cork blocks or strips?  Looks terrific!!!

[S Hovanec]

52 minutes ago, MikeK said:

Is that from cork blocks or strips?  Looks terrific!!!

Thank you.  It was from both.  I cut blocks into strips to make the thinner trim.