I have a gentleman who would like for me to apply Tru-Oil to his cork grips but they are not new. I was just curious as to how you pros like to clean up older cork grips prior to doing something like this. Do you like to use steel wool, solvents, or sandpaper ? Certain colored sandpapers I have tried actually discolored the cork but looking for ideas. Thank you as always for your helpful input.

I've heard of using dawn dish liquid and a scour pad (those green things). I've seen the results. They looked new.

Rob & Sean, That's what I use, and it works. I would recommend testing the Tru-Oil on something worth sacrificing, just in case you don't like the result.
Patrick Vernacchio

Hello Rob
I have found Windex Wipes to work really well.
Regards Joe

Since your going to apply a finish to the grips I would recomend sanding them a little. I would think that the nice fresh cork just under the surface would be better for finishing than trying to clean all the dirt and grime off the top of the cork. I know Lowe's carries a yellow/tan colored fine grit sandpaper that will not discolor the cork.

Kev

whatever you do do not use steel wool. as it removes material it leaves little waves in the surface. i use 600 grit wet or dry and lightly sand in a lengthwise direction under a fauset. it removes nothing but surface dirt and leaves a silky smooth surface

Simple Green on a wrag will usually wipe it clean without remooving any excess cork. Works well for me. Then after drying then add your true oil if you desire.

Good luck,

Bruce Young
Landing Gear

I have always used a sos soap pad and hot water. Makes the cork look new and dosn't remove or hurt the cork

I just use a cloth rag and warm water, not even hot water and it comes clean with a little rubbing. The rag happens to be an old cloth baby diaper so there could be something magical and powerful still residing in the diaper, I don't know! The ONLY thing good about using cloth diapers is that when your kid stops using them, you have a huge quantity of shop rags.

As mentioned in the above threads the dirt and grim is just on the surface. I use liquid soap with warm water and let the rod soak in the bath tub for a coule of hours. If not the bath tub then I use a soapy towel wrapped arond the cork. Then I lightly buff it with a 3M gray scuff pad. This should bring the cork back to life. I would then protect it with a U40 cork protector
Good Wraps Bob

I just today easily cleaned an old cork handle with a bit of Dawn in warm water, scrubbed with food store Scotchbrite (the blue kind). The grime came off easily and quickly without damaging the cork. Only problem was all the indented defects and damaged spots were not cleaned. Maybe a tooth brush or other soft brush would do that, but I'm planning to fill the defects with wood filler anyway.

I use a cloth soaked in alcohol to clean dirt off my old grips. Denatured alcohol will really get the dirt off. Unfortunately, I've never been able to get rid of all the dirt down in the cracks, etc.

I've done exactly what you're suggesting on older rods (clean cork, then coat with tru-oil), and I've been very happy with the results. It's not quite as nice as a new grip with Tru-Oil, but it's still quite nice.

I use softscrub that is watered down and then rinse well.They will look like new.

Rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball will amaze you, I promise. Discovered this cleaning the cork on a 60's vintage Shakespeare "Wonder Rod" that I know had never been cleaned. Looks almost new, by golly. Best, Vance