I like turniing my own cork handles and have tried several different ways to finish them off. 1) no finish at all, the cork responds well to this and it really dosen't have to be finished and only cleaned off once in a while.; 2) Cork Seal is a good product but it darkens the cork by several shades; 3) Tru oil is also a good product but darkens the cork siginificantly.

I've made a set of grips that have a green tinit in the cork. I'd like to find a finish that adds a bit of gloss to the grips but doesn't darken the final look or make it slick. Things that come to mind are the Urethane products. How do these look on cork. I will do some tests to see what I like but I wanted to know if anyone has a favorite that doesn't darken the cork.

Steve Hartzell
Lake Conroe - Willis, Texas

Thompson's Water Seal is another product you might look at. Doesn't really darken the cork much, but won't give you any gloss either.

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Thanks Tom, the gloss isn't really important, but I want the green tint in the cork to look green and with the products that darken the final finish, I find that it tends to subdue the color.

Steve Hartzell
Lake Conroe - Willis, Texas

You might like the Thompson's.

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just remember that the green color is not in the cork it is on the outside of the small sections of cork so it will fade from wear from what I have seen SID

William Sidney
AK

Urethane products will also darken the cork, well I can't say all but the ones I have tried do. Poly and marine is what I have used and both of them darken the cork. I think it gives it an antique look. Also the grips do feel smoother after adding the coating but I wouldn't say its slick. Infact I would actually argue that it grips even better then plain cork when your hands are wet. It seems to almost make your hands stick to the handle. I also have a grip on the bench that I don't want to darken that much so I haven't added any finish to it. I think I may go to the hardware store and pick up some of that thompsons and give it a whirl.