Restoring Cork Grips

Hi everyone, im wondering about restoring some old cork grip. the problem i have is that some of my cork grip have had filler put on/in the cork to make them a smooth surface, but over time and after heavy use the filler has fallen out. im wondering what people have used to fill in their cork grips again to and how they have done it. maybe shortlite, hotrods and other rod builders who may have encounted this problem before could extend their knoledge.

[humkyle]

ive never done it, but supposedly, u sand down a cork from a wine bottle. colect the fine dust, mix it with glue (i assume pva) so it makes a cork coloured paste, then fil the marks in ur grip..

thats just what ive heard, someone else could give u better advice.

[Shortlite]

That's pretty much it there. Clean the grip thoroughly with a toothbrush and soapy water or metho. Let it dry. Mix cork dust with glue, either epoxy or wood glue, and use that as a putty to fill the voids. Let dry, sand smooth, then put a coat of cork seal or tru-oil on it to ensure it doesn't fall out later.

If you use a wood glue, look for something meant for outdoors and gap filling. Elmer's wood filler in golden oak is a good match for cork. If you use epoxy I wouldn't recommend the 5 minute stuff. Try the 30 minute or 2 hr. stuff, and mix a tiny touch of white paint powder pigment in with the cork dust. This will lighten it to a shade closer to cork (the epoxy will darken the cork dust heaps, and it will stand out).

Either way, it is best to seal the cork afterwards to prevent further damage.

when you talk about sealing the cork what do you recomend putting on it? Also do these seals still retain the feel of cork in the hand or does it create a slick surface on it?

What you use to help preserve the hight density hypalon grips - i've noticed they have started to wear?

One last one shortlite, i've noticed a few slight scratches comming on to a few rods, what way you you recomend to help reduced their presence....e.g. rub and buff auto wax in or something?

[e21]

IMO Rods are supposed to be used not look pretty in a rod locker,Scratches show abuse and abuse is catching fish.