Well checking on my rods and such, i noticed my redington crosswater 8’6’s cork handle has got really dark compared to what it used to be. I can’t remember if this was due to it getting dunked a lot, or just age and dirt.
So I was wondering, is there a way to bring back that new cork color?
I kinda like the smooth soiled look personally. LOL
But if you must.
An old terry cloth rag/wash cloth sprayed with some windex and then rub like crazy. Get’s em nice and clean.
The terry cloth is abrasive enough to clean without actually removing cork.
Don’t use one of the wife/girlfirend/husband’s good wash cloths because it won’t be coming back when you’re done.
If you want to clean up the cork I find a bit of Soft Scrub with bleach (already in it) does a nice job. Apply with a moist ,soft rag and clean the cork. Keep it off the other areas like the rod and reel seat. But that does a really nice job of cleaning the cork.
What alra195 said…
This doesn’t help much but I was wondering if any of you know how you would go about darkening a cork handle. Is there a type of stain I could use? I just finshied a new 4wt. and the handle seems too bright. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
-mgliss
Yeah… fish it
I’ve found a season’s fishing does a pretty good job of darkening them up. Mojo…
I would imagine nearly any leather dye or water based wood stain would work. Cork is tree bark.
Jeff
I agree. I was planning on taking it with me last weekend on a cross country ski trip in search of some big browns but didn’t have it completed in time. this weekend will be its maiden voyage on the Henrys Fork. I can’t wait.
Just take the rod out and catch a whole mess of fish. Any other method of darkening up the grip is just fighting for second place.
A picture of the new rod would be nice…
Back to the cleaning - just use full strength Clorox on a rag.
Best to all,
Bill
Mgliss,
On ‘new’ cork you have some options.
Any wood stain will work on cork, but it will go darker than it will on most woods since cork is softer.
They make some stuff to ‘seal’ cork, called, appropriately, ‘Cork Seal’. This keeps the cork looking new and prevents stuff like skin oils and dirt from penetrating the cork (that’s what makes it look ‘dark’, oil and dirt).
Another product that will do the same thing, plus darken the cork just a hair, is Tru Oil. It’s made for gunstocks, holds up to wear well (it’s made to be ‘handled’), and protects your grip.
If you built a rod using ‘real’ cork, you may want to really consider adding some type of sealer like these. Cork is gettting more and more expensive. Good stuff is harder to come by. ‘Protecting’ it rather than just letting it get ‘dark’ on it’s own from dirt and skin secretions might be wise.
Buddy
Thanks a lot Buddy. I knew it was possible but I just didn’t know which way was best. Ill look into your suggestions. Thanks.
-Mike
I think JC told me about soft scrub. I didn’t have any so I used ceramic oven top cleaner. Worked fine. Don’t scrub much though. Just get the top clean and leave the dark in the grain and joints. That way the cork looks nice but not new. For those who want to make theirs nice and brown w/o spending many hours on the stream, I have a suggestion but I can’t say it on a family sight.
Godspeed and good fishing,
Bob
Good old dish soap and warm water seems to work best. Straight Clorox is pretty cuastic but should work if diluted a bit, but soap and water seem to be a good and safe fix. Good Luck.
Now, for mgliss: I agree with the other sage advice, let’s just go fishing son! (yeah he’s mine).
I thought there was a family resemblance….
The best stuff I have used to date is Bar Keeper’s Friend. Wet your cork and sprinkle it on the grip and use the scouring sponge to rub it down. Rinse and then repeat. On the second round, let it sit on the grip for about 5 minutes and then rinse. This stuff has bleach in it and it will bleach out all the dirt.
Scary, isn’t it…
Wet the cork and sprinkle a bit of Cascade dishwashing detergent and rub with your hand—your hand comes out clean too----it also works great on fiberglass floors of boats—little goes a long way!
Formula 409 rubbed on w/a soft T-shirt on your finger.
Rinse w/a wet cloth, buff dry and let her sit out overnight to totally dry.
Works great.