Ok, on my older rods, my cork handles are becoming black and starting to crack, chip and look terrible.

What's a simple solution to repair them? I've heard sanding them, but I kind of don't want to ruin them.

I've read somewhere about some kind of foam handle wrap you can buy at the store. But I can't find it...

How can I repair my cork handles? Any ideas? What do yall do?

A Mr Clean Magic Eraser will make them look like new. You can seal them with Tru-oil or so I've read.

I'm sure you'll get some good responses.

Tips for rod & reel care

tackletour.com/reviewrodcare.html

First off, you can find rod wrap tape at either Cabela's or BPS. If you want to just clean up your cork rod handles, then get a Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser. Will make short work of dark, heavily used cork. They will look like new in no time.

Then when they are clean, get a jar of Cork Seal from Netcraft. (www.jannsnetcraft.com) This solution will soak into the upper surface of the cork and keep them looking like new for a very long time.

Finally, there is no solution to repairing chunks of missing cork. About all you can do is to use a filler of some kind and then the rod wrap tape over the entire section. Hope this is of some help.

You can fill the holes with a mixture of cork dust and epoxy, then sand it after the epoxy dries.

Here's how DVT showed me:

You need:

Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler in Golden Oak

Magic Eraser

U-40 Cork Sealer

Clean the cork with the Magic Eraser.

Remove any loose cork or old filler with a pick.

Apply the wood filler to any holes or imperfections in the cork.

It usually takes two coats of filler, more for deep holes.

Sand lightly, 1st with 120 grit, then 220 grit.

Mask off the blank and reel seat.

Apply U-40 cork sealer with a small art brush.

One coat will do.

Figure an hour for each rod, including dry time.

They come out better than new.

[movedhere] Fishing Tackle [move by] five.bass.limit.

The important part of using the wood filler is to do layers for deeper cracks. Otherwise it's just going to fall out.

I repaired mine using an epoxy wood filler(min wax) in thin layers then sand it with 220 grit sand paper

Thanks everyone for the input! Big help! Sorry FBL, didn't know exactly where it should be.