Hello, I have yet to actually turn the grips yet, but I'm building 2 rods that have .5 -3.5 inch sections of red cedar as accents. What are some good finishes/sealers I can use on the wood? The rods will be fished quite a bit so my main concern is protecting the wood from swelling or anything else that could happen from heavy use. Anything that brings out the natural color and protects it will be good. Thanks!

Helmsman Spar Urethane, gloss or semi gloss, available can or spray.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2016 04:53PM by John E Powell.

Epifanes clear marine spar varnish.
Not cheap at about $50 a pint.
Does not dry fast.
If you want fast and cheap there are better products.
But when dry you can leave it in a marine environment like wood on a working yacht for many years without any problems.
My cedar grips with this product on it feel like carbon grips in texture, just warmer from wood rather than the cold feel of carbon.

Archies uses regular thread wrap epoxy for finishing his cedar handles. While I don't like epoxy as a top coat finish for wood, I will admit that Archies does a fantastic job on his.

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All my handles get 3 thin coats of Permagloss, very hard and lasts a long time

I have built quite a few wood handles and use regular thread wrap epoxy for the finish. I use two coats, with a light sanding between coats to knock off any nubs from the wood grain swelling from the first coat. This works very well and is long lasting.

Be safe

I have used two coats of lumiseal on the cedar handle that I made.

Chris Richer
Iroquois ON

Thankyou everyone, lots of options out there I see. Anyway you guys could post pictures of your handles with the finish you used? I'd love to see how some of them look.

Ba, what I have been using on red cedar which i get from Archie is envirotex Lite. 2 part 1 to 1 mix. It is the finish that plug builders in the east use as finish and also used on bar tops. The finish is crystal clear hard and has good uv protectiuon. Can buy it at Hobby Lobby and if you have a smart phone they once a week have 40% off. Will try to send you some photos.
Bill
If you go to photo page. Hit member list than letter B have some painted grips 3rd one on top. If you hit that most of the photos posted are there . Hope this helps.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/18/2016 11:57AM by Bill Ballou.