Tradewinds Posted January 23, 2020 Report Share Posted January 23, 2020 Hello all: First post here. Nice to have this resource. I am refurbishing several old rods and have cleaned the cork parts thoroughly and applied/sanded Roddancer Pit Paste. Anyone have preference on a finish to apply over this? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washougal Posted January 25, 2020 Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 U 40 Cork Seal, or Birchwood Casey Tru Oil, this is a rub on gun stock finish. Cork doesn't really absorb anything, these are just surface coatings, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tradewinds Posted January 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 Thanks, Washougal. I was looking at those as opposed to mineral oil. It hadn't entered my mind that cork does not absorb anything, but you are right. I guess the seal is to close off cracks and pits. Not sure how important that is. These are 50+ year old rods and I'm impressed with how the cork cleans up like new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washougal Posted January 25, 2020 Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 (edited) It just is a barrier between the sweat, oil and dirt on your hands and the cork. Edited January 25, 2020 by Washougal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tradewinds Posted January 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 Gotcha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DGagner Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Ya know... I have a small jar of cork sealer for fishing poles. Fairly pricy stuff. I've been using minwax polycrilic fo years. Sort of a fast drying, thin, milky looking subsance. It looks and works like the same stuff in the cork sealer bottle. I'd swear it's just like it. And it's much much cheaper by the quart in comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhahn427 Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 I love the Tru Oil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tradewinds Posted February 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2020 Thanks, fellas. I ended up getting Tru Oil at Sportsman's Warehouse. Worked great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Mang Posted December 27, 2020 Report Share Posted December 27, 2020 Hello, this is also my first post. I like to restore vintage Mitchell reels, and build rods. When I do restore a cork handle, I use Titebond ultimate wood glue, mixed with cork I saved from sanding. I also use U 40 cork seal. While fishing a lot I clean my cork at the end of each season, warm water & dish soap. Let it dry 3-4 days and reseal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted December 27, 2020 Report Share Posted December 27, 2020 If 50yo cork cleans up like new then why bother. Keep it natural and appreciate the cork. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Mang Posted December 27, 2020 Report Share Posted December 27, 2020 Love the feel of the cork, just like keeping it from drying out. I don't clean it up like new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted December 27, 2020 Report Share Posted December 27, 2020 1 hour ago, Don Mang said: Love the feel of the cork, just like keeping it from drying out. I don't clean it up like new. Good point. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
