Other than cleaning with some soapy water after use, what (if anything) do y’all do with the cork handles on your rods? Just wondering if there is something I should be putting on them. I don’t have high dollar stuff but, I still try to take care of it to make it last.
Shrimp juice and Fish slime seems to seal them up real nice. 
I give mine several coats of Penn rod and reel cleaner before first use and a few times a season
Boat drinks, Waitress I need 2 more boat drinks!
quote:
Shrimp juice and Fish slime seems to seal them up real nice
That always worked for me too.Just rinse off the big chunks when you get home. Nothing special.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
I learned a while back (from someone on this site, I believe) to use Mr.Clean’s Magic Eraser pads to clean them when needed. You can also use a real fine-grit sandpaper to remove a very fine top layer of the cork, followed by some cork oil. Hope this helps.
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
Well, I have some Penn cleaner but no fish slime or shrimp juice so I guess I’ll try that. Thanks folks!
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
Dfree,
I just did a search for archived forums on this subject, and several came up. Check this out:
http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=120636
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
Before I use the rod I put cork sealer on it and it always looks brand new. It is glue based so it is slightly tacky when wet. Suprisingly, it has better feel when it gets wet.
Nothing
Most of my rods have cork handles and I have had many of them for 5-10 years - lots of the tips have been broken but the cork has held up fine with no special application. I just hose the rod/reel off with fresh water after fishing and hang them in the garage. I have never even thought to take special care of it…stills performs like new. Might be a little different color now but feel and functionality is the same. I would worry too much about it - if you have the rod long enough to see the cork go bad - you are a better man than me.
I got my old trusty Ugly stick 13 or so years ago and have never coated it with anything except success, cold beer and defeated tears cork is just fine
mineral oil. Makes them look like new. Wear gloves and be in a ventilated space.