in my endless reading on the internet , i've run across references to "bleached cork." is this something a dealer or supplier does do improve the look of the cork rings? is it something builders do to the complete handle? does anyone ever do this to rings or preformed cork handles? if so, do you dilute with standard bleach or does springtime blossom work out better than say... fresh meadow? ;-)

just wondering.


eric
fresno, ca.

It's part of the cork harvesting and treatment process. Yes it does improve the appearance of the cork but it mainly serves to rid the cork of molds and fungus after the soaking operation.

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thanks tom. i just glued up a cork grip, my first with "super grade, one step below flor? as everyone who works with cork knows, the quality of the rings leave a LOT to be desired even though they looked somewhat nice before sanding. seems everytime i eliminate a bad area by shaping, something else appears. egads! looking forward to the latest iissue and the grading scale.

so it had ocurred to me... bleaching might help in some way. staining, though i like the coloration, would just darken some bad areas from one test i did a few weeks ago.


eric
fresno, ca.

No one knows what Super Grade or Flor Grade are supposed to look like - can you find any photos or a grade scale depicting either?

The bleaching lightens the cork color. Some like it some don't. Some are bleached more than others. But generally bleaching isn't going to hide any imperfections.

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"can you find any photos or a grade scale depicting either?"

i HOPE to very soon, once my last issue of rodmaker arrives. :-)

eric
fresno, ca.

Yes, the rod maker's cork grade scale is in the issue upcoming, but there are no photos of Flor or Super grades, as there are no standards for what either of those are supposed to look like. Hopefully you'll find the new (first?) scale to be helpful on future cork purchases.

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