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Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Equipment => Topic started by: maddogg on Dec 25, 2018, 11:34 AM

Title: Sealing cork handles
Post by: maddogg on Dec 25, 2018, 11:34 AM
Does anybody seal the cork handles on your fishing rods ? If so what do you use?
Title: Re: Sealing cork handles
Post by: TickleStick on Dec 25, 2018, 09:45 PM
I seal every cork rod I own with U40 cork seal, that is actually the first thing I do when I get a new rod.
Title: Re: Sealing cork handles
Post by: slipperybob on Dec 26, 2018, 11:02 AM
I admit I often don't do it.  U40 cork seals.
Title: Re: Sealing cork handles
Post by: FlamDragger on Jan 07, 2019, 03:49 PM
I seal every cork rod I own with U40 cork seal, that is actually the first thing I do when I get a new rod.
X2. 
Title: Re: Sealing cork handles
Post by: bootstrap on Jan 07, 2019, 03:56 PM
had never heard of this before. I got a bunch of vintage cork handled rods, should i still do it even though they have aged?
Title: Re: Sealing cork handles
Post by: esox_xtm on Jan 07, 2019, 04:19 PM
I'm a "non-sealer". I like the feel of the cork in my fingers, especially when my hands are wet. Also makes 'em easy to clean. A little dish detergent and a well used green scrubbie and they're just like new while removing next to no cork.
Title: Re: Sealing cork handles
Post by: FlamDragger on Jan 07, 2019, 07:34 PM
Here’s a link to some reviews. You can decide for yourself.

https://www.amazon.com/U-INC-U-40-Sealant/dp/B075VC6JZS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1546911199&sr=8-2&keywords=u-40+cork+seal#customerReviews
Title: Re: Sealing cork handles
Post by: rdhammah on Jan 07, 2019, 08:19 PM
I was a rod building FB page and asked about sealing cork handles and Tru Oil was recommended.
Title: Re: Sealing cork handles
Post by: esox_xtm on Jan 08, 2019, 08:49 AM
I was a rod building FB page and asked about sealing cork handles and Tru Oil was recommended.

That got me thinking. Tru Oil is basically linseed and "natural oils". I used to finish gun stocks with a blend of linseed and turpentine. That's what the old man used. I found it wasn't particularly durable as I needed to reapply every couple/three years, got tacky and white in the rain though it was easy to work with. I'm sure Tru Oil is a different blend and may not have some of the downside that the homebrew blend had.

However, I "graduated" to using tung oil. No need to blend, has a "harder" finish than linseed when dry and touches up easily and doesn't yellow. Tung is also recommended for marine environments. Might have to try one rod with some tung and see. Maybe I'll learn something  ;D.