Finishing up a rewrap on a rod and ordered cork tape for the grips. The question is (since the tape came with no instructions) what is the best way to put it on, spiral and trim top and bottom or bands?

You May want to consider a spiral wrap that has been 'dry fit' to the base material before applying and glue. Also cutting a long strip of 1"wide clear plastic and have 2 rubber bands handy. Then apply the glue, wrap on the cork strip, cover the cork tightly with the 1" wide plastic strip and secure the plastic in place with the rubber bands.

I've done hundreds of these. The key is in getting the correct angle on the first wind. Once you do that, move on with it and tack down both ends with masking tape. Cut the cork with a razor blade using the tape as a guide. Then use thread to make tie-down wraps on the edges. On the forward hosel edge you should sand the cork tape to a taper and then you can wrap on the blank and up and over the tape edge for a nice transition.

Some people bind down with heat shrink tubing but I prefer the thread. It allows me to match the thread color of the rest of the rod.

I like the thread idea was going to use heat shrink and may still at the top of the reel seat. Don, you mentioned gluing. Do you glue the self adhesive stuff, or is that just for the non-adhesive cork tape?

The self adhesive cork is easier to work with and once in place it will not let go. The stuff sticks like mad once you apply some pressure to it.