Hi Guys,
A recent post and a test of my own left some unanswered questions. There's only one way to find out - do some more tests and see what happens. 1/2 Stained a couple of cork rings with woodstain, western cedar and rose mahogany,then gave them a coat of U40 cork sealer. Next day did some "wear" tests which was scrubbing the rings with a nail brush and some liquid soap. After about a minute of scrubbing the stain started to disappear and by two minutes was almost completely gone. So stain won't stay on cork rings even with cork sealer which is a shame as I had rebuild coming up and the western cedar would have looked good on the cork grips. I might do some more tests with three or four coats of sealer and see what happens but I don't think it would be much different. Also noted that there didn't appear to be much of the sealer left either which means I'll have to be careful how I clean my cork grips. Posted some pics in my file of the before and after results for those that are interested. Some how the comments on the photo's are the wrong way round but you'll figure it out.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/2011 03:58AM by Col Chaseling.

You could put Permagloss or Lumiseal over it It will just feel like a hard wood handle when made up

Bill - willierods.com

why make it like hardwood? just use hardwood if that is what you want..cork will not take a dye or stain to my knowledge even using a vacuum or pressure pot....

Thanks for posting your results. I had my suspicions all along.

I thought it would be very cool to have a black set of cork grips.

What about a dark colored wood cut into rings and assembled

Bill - willierods.com

Col, Make the grip out red cedar and if you're worried about weight, Bore it out large enough to epoxy a large Flexcoat arbor in it and then ream to fit. Works great

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

or - if you live near the ocean drift wood works really well and can be super light

Do you think applying tru-oil over the stain would lock it in by chance? Just a thought.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

There have been numerous posts on the subject of dying or staining cork. It can be done as a surface treatment only, as it is a closed cell structure and liquids (any type) will not penetrate the cells. The surface can be colored by many types of colorants and the coloring can be over coated to seal the surface, but one must keep in mind the surface that yo\u will end up with after the over-coating. Multiple coats of "Cork Seal" are not recommended by the manufacturer.

If you want a colored grip, there are many alternatives, such as EVA, flocking, woods etc.

Mike,
It's a rebuild and the cork grips and reelseat are in good nick so I'm going to leave them. Was just looking for something a little different and the cedar colour would have looked good. Any finsh that you put on cork apart from cork seal takes away the cork feel. I've got a really old rod of my dad's and the cork has been finished with some sort of varnish. Still feels ok but not as good as cork without finish.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia