I got a boo boo I need some help with.
I replaced seats on two identical rods. ( replaced with FUGI ACS Seats) Did not replace the cork grips,they were in good shape.
The problem is, the cork grips are a little smaller in outside dia than the rear of the seats, about 1/16 of an inch all the way around. I thought of a few ways to make a smoother transition from seat to grip;

1. If I hadn't been squirrel hunting when I glued up the seats I could have added another ring of cork.
2. I can install a large id rubber winding check. I can get one the right id.
3. I can file down the rear edge of the seat to make better transition to the cork. But how do I get the original finish back where I filed.
4. Build the cork up with black thread in that small area and put finish on it, but would it hold up.

Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated

Had that situation once myself Jay. Couldn't come up with
a good fix then so off came the grip. I don't think adding
anything to the cork side is going to work (except maybe flocking)
or the perfect size & color rubber check and the check may not
hold up there very long under hard use. Maybe the right Matagi part??
Um???

When it happened to me, my knowledge and component selection
was quite limited compaired to now but I still think ya got a challenge
there Jay.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

If they made a 2 piece Matigi check, I could probably work with that. Couldn't get a ring over the butt unless it stretched.
Actually , one of them is close to a perfect fit. It will be ok, but the other rod, the second one I did, has that 1/16 difference in od.
A fish probably couldn't tell the difference, but I know it isn't right.

One burl ring or hardware store chair bottom plastic insert - turned to fit - a check in this area would take too much of a beating - mess with the graphite seat and polishing will be near impossible - plastic bottom bushings in black and white.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Bill that would work if I didn't already have the seat epoxied on.
I might be able to inlet for 1 ring of cork, split the ring, put it in in 2 pieces.
Can you think of any reason that wouldn't work ?

I am thinking , " Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do "

Jay - I have had the same problem. Wrap with what ever color thread you would like, I suggest using CP if it is any color other than black so the cork grain does not show thru. A coat or two of rod finish, and you are good to go. It will hold up no problem, and looks pretty nice too.

Happy New Year,
Marc

Jay, I have solved the same problem with thread or a ring of gudebrods butt winding wrap applied with super glue and covered with a coat of finishing epoxy.

I like Sam's approach if you are dead set on keeping the seats in place and not redoing them.

................

Thanks guys ! That's what I will do. Inletting another ring of cork was my next choice.