Is there anything else that can be used to protect my cork handles because the cork seal on my rods tend to peel after being in the sun and fished for awhile.

Glenn McMurrian

Glenn

What cork sealer are you using.

I think we need more information describing your problem.

I recommend U-40 cork seal and follow the directions. I use U-40 exclusively and never had any issues..

John

Birchwood Casey Tru-oil, minimum three hand rubbed coats.

Ray Zarychta
Glastonbury, CT

Have experienced no problems with either the U-40 product or Tru-Oil for fresh water rods. Have not used U-40 in several years preferring instead Tru-Oil for both aesthetics and ease of finish cleaning and repair. U-40 was a one application and done thing while Tru-Oil is a multiple application finish, usually about 8 to build depth.

I second the usage of U-40 . No issues whatsoever with saltwater rod. Only one application, good to go.

U40 cork seal should not peel unless you added a second coat! Instructions are "one coat!"

I used Thread Master lite on one fly rod grip . Looks good , tough and not slippery . To clarify , this was a 40 yr old flyrod that the cork was starting to crack and I wanted to keep the soil , dirt etc for nostalgia purposes . I still fish it now and then .



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/22/2019 07:00PM by ron zimmerman.

Sorry off topic but, Glenn did you have any luck with issues you had getting Permagloss to dry?

My luck with Permagloss never did change and I live in Oregon and the weather is perfect for Permagloss to dry in as it is humid and rainy just about everyday so why it does not want to dry is beyond me. I have used at least 8 different bottle and from other sellers with the same bad luck ever time I try. Lynn if you remember back in the 80’s there was a article in the rod builders guild on Permagloss and dry time so if you remember it maybe you or somebody who does remember it can post some info on it.

Glenn McMurrian

I live in Milwaukie, Or and never had a Permagloss problem, but never put it on cork.

Kiwi neutral color paste shoe polish with carnauba wax. Apply about once a year, keeps cork from dry rotting and helps preserve it. I have cork that is over 30 years old that still looks good. I used to use mink oil but it had a funny smell. The Kiwi paste is not slippery after being wiped off and makes the cork have a nice feel.

Sorry Glenn, never saw the article, my experience has always been that it dries a little too fast for my liking. Back to the original topic: I've always put Cork Seal on cork with great results.

I never put any seal coat on cork.


Cork by its very nature is not very receptive to any sort of seal.

As needed, will use dish washing detergent to scrub down the grips, and as needed will use cork filler to fill any large pits that may need to be filled.

The handles stay very nice that way and have never been an issue for me - with no special seal on the cork.

Take care

To address your gloss problem... How are you applying it? Spinning? With a fkam brush? How thick? Is your mixing cup compatable? (I had a bunch of cups where the bottom melts after awhile.. Put plastic onto the blank.. What a mess)

For your cork seal, you may be puting to much on with the single coat.. I try and apply cork seal before i epoxy everything up, this way the edges are sealed as well.. Just dont go crazy... Leave room for adhesion

Anthony,
As you found out, some "hot" materials will melt almost anything.

When faced with such a situation, I go with glass.

i.e. glass jar, glass bowel, or glass seal on the top of the bottle.

Chemists do the same thing when working with "hot" materials and acids to avoid having the mixing container melt on them.

For storing DNA Xylene, Acetone, Lacquer thinner, I prefer to use glass bottles with glass stoppers.

[www.thomassci.com]

The glass containers hold the material nicely with out any melting or corrosion and the tapered glass stoppers do a very nice job of sealing the contents of the glass container, without having to worry about sticking or melting gaskets or corrosion in the case of a metal container and or metal top on the container.

U-40 cork seal works great. Follow the instructions. It makes the cork easier to clean up when dirt accumulates over time. Follow the instructions.

As I have previously posted I use Birchwood-Casey Tru-oil. As an example as how well it adheres and stands up, my favorite rod has caught over a thousand fish in the past six years and I recently "cleaned" up the cork grip with a light sanding and a couple of coats of Tru-oil. No filled in pits had fallen out. I find that the Tru-oil resists dirt and grease build up. Tru-oil is often used to coat restaurant bar tops.

Ray Zarychta
Glastonbury, CT

The Tru-oil sounds good I have used linseed oil before and it worked good.

Glenn McMurrian