Anybody know of a product or solution to filling voids in cork rings after they have been installed and sanded?

Pit Paste by Roddancer is the best.
But you will have to sand it again. Or apply and then wipe off. Repeat until flush with cork.
Herb

Darrell,
Pit Paste, as Herb mentioned, is probably the industry standard but I have not used it. Another option is Elmers Wood Filler in the golden oak color which I have used with adequate results. Just make sure the tube is fresh so the contents are not set-up inside the tube. Personally, I prefer to not fill cork grips and accept the small voids as part of cork’s distinctive charm. I would (or is that wood) suspect that eventually any filler will fall out. One way or the other, I suggest you at least consider sealing the cork after final sanding with either U-40 Cork Seal or Birhwood Casey’s Tru Oil. I am confident most would agree.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Darrel;
Dito Mark's comments with respect to the use of Elmer's wood filler in golden Oak.

At one time some years ago, one could get near perfect cork free of voids for a very reasonable price.

But, with the expansion of cork to be used in a bunch of different areas; near perfect cork is like buying gem quality diamonds.

Take care

Always near perfect cork to be had at Expo for very reasonable prices. But it rarely sells. Odd.

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

Tom, I bought a bunch last year at he Expo; it was a great buy.

Darrel, I also like the Elmer’s wood filler in golden oak, the pit paste also works quite well. Another option that works well to to make a cork paste by mixing cork dust with Titebond or Elmers exterior grade wood glue, and use it to fill the voids. If you don’t have cork dust make some by sanding down some wine corks. It does take a little extra sanding with the cork/glue paste, but it won’t fall out. Some people will use epoxy to make their cork paste, it’s give a darker shade and requires a little more sanding, but it is permanent.

Norm

In addition to the comment by Norm about making pit filler with cork dust and epoxy, it also works to use model air plane cement and cork dust.

It is a bit tougher to handle because of its short set time.
The advantage of the model air plane cement is that it sands at about the same rate as cork.
The disadvantage of the model air plane cement is that it is not as tough and as permanent as epoxy.

In addition to the comment by Norm about making pit filler with cork dust and epoxy, it also works to use model air plane cement and cork dust.

It is a bit tougher to handle because of its short set time.
The advantage of the model air plane cement is that it sands at about the same rate as cork.
The disadvantage of the model air plane cement is that it is not as tough and as permanent as epoxy.

I use Tightbond and cork dust just for the large pits. It works pretty well. Bill

Thanks all who responded. I've never heard of pit paste, who sells it??
"Bent Rods to ya all!!
Darrel

The cork filler product was RodDancer pit paste, but I can not find where it is sold. Has it been discontinued? I think Mudhole bought RodDancer, but it not on their site or any others.
Norm

I have used the Rod Dancer pit paste but it doesn't last as long as DAP Plastic Wood in Natural color. The Elmer's wood filler works pretty good but it seems to dry up pretty fast after you open the container. The DAP is the best I have found. The cork dust and epoxy is probably the best but it is a hassle to get enough clean dust and then mix with the epoxy.

I also use the DAP filler but in golden oak. Works great and is easy to apply also at a reasonable price. It's available at your local home depot no shipping charges !!!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/25/2020 05:41PM by Tom Wewerka.

Just did a grip with a mix of cork dust, Elmer's Pro Bond golden oak, and Elmer's wood glue max. Results tomorrow.

Choose good cork, plan your cork ring stack to minimize the voids at each point in the grip and leave the voids. IMO filler looks cheap.

To compensate for the different "sanding rates" of the various products back the sandpaper with a block of wood to prevent the harder filler from turning into a bump on the surface of the cork.

My combo mentioned above seems to have worked pretty well. I sometimes use offcuts from pre-formed grips to make new grips and don't have the option of stacking my rings as Rick mentioned. Leaving these pits was not an option. Whatever type filler that gives a pink-ish hue after application looks terrible.