| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Empress
Starting Member
2 Posts |
 Posted - 07/01/2010 : 2:31:55 PM
|
| I have been told that my cork grip is dirty and should be cleaned. I am not fussy about how it looks but wonder if the grease and grime can affect my grip. Any safe suggestions? |
|
|
Jeff Reardon
Frequent Contributor
909 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2010 : 4:53:11 PM
|
A rod maker I used to know cleaned them with mineral spirits. I just leave them dirty--consider it "patina".
I'd be careful with mineral spirits, as I don't know what they might to the finish on your rod blank or the varnish on the wraps.
And I'd definitely defer to the rod makers on this site. |
 |
|
|
Mike Holt
Member
USA
2822 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2010 : 6:09:54 PM
|
Here's what Ted Leeson says in his book "The Orvis Guide to Tackle Care and Repair" which is a good book and one most fly fishers should own.
quote:
Washing a dirty cork grip will certainly improve the appearance of your fly rod, but in some cases it’s more than a matter of mere aesthetics. Over time, dirt, oil from your hand, algae, fish slime, fly floatant, sunscreen, and other contaminants can build up to the point where the grip acquires a smooth, slick almost hard glaze. While this film poses no danger to the cork, it can make the grip slippery and cause you to hold the rod more tightly than is comfortable when casting and fishing, particularly when your hands are wet.
A grip can be cleaned in a couple of different ways. You can lightly sand the cork with 220-grit sandpaper; an approach that allows spot-cleaning of heavily soiled portions of the grip. To protect the other rod components from an accidental scratching with the sandpaper, wrap both the shaft ahead of the grip and the reel seat with masking tape. Sand lightly; you’re not trying to remove a lot of cork material, only take off the film of dirt.
You can also clean the grip by washing it with a soft-scrub-type cleanser and a rag or soft brush, particularly if you intend to repair pits or gouges in the cork. A cleanser will work into these irregular areas and freshen the surface for better glue adhesion. Some of these products contain a small amount of bleach, which can help remove stains from the cork. You may want to mask off the reel seat, though if your careful in washing the grip this isn’t strictly necessary. But make sure to rinse the grip thoroughly. After cleaning a rod – freshwater or salt – wipe it down with a towel, and then let it air dry completely.
|
|
|
|
Larvae
Frequent Contributor
USA
483 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2010 : 8:56:21 PM
|
Best thing I have found over the years is an old tooth brush and tooth paste. Put it over the sink and have at it like you are brushing your teeth after a bender of whiskey and kodiak. Corks will look just like new and the toothpaste is very gentle, or so the tube tells me.
Give it a try. I clean mine up at the end of every season. My hands sweat like don lynch in a strip bar and my cork looks black after a couple months fishing. This method of cleaning makes them look like they just came from the rack at the fly shop.
You get that extra bonus of a minty smell around you the next time you dunk the rod in the stream.  |
|
|
|
kennebecfly
Active Member
USA
95 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2010 : 07:16:40 AM
|
quote:
Best thing I have found over the years is an old tooth brush and tooth paste
That's the ticket Larvae works like a charm ,got to use the paste with the grit. I can remember reading about that trick from Taps Tips in Field and Stream when I was a kid. |
K FLY |
|
|
|
Kevin Karnes
Frequent Contributor
124 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2010 : 5:45:13 PM
|
| I have always cut a strip 1" X 6" of 200 or 220 grit sandpaper and wrapped it half way around the grip and sanded just like I was polishing or buffinh shoes. Don't do it very often but once and a while just for looks. |
Kevin K |
|
|
|
el Gordito
Frequent Contributor
490 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2010 : 1:04:43 PM
|
| Rub lightly with dry baking soda and a soft cloth then rinse off. Works like toothpaste but without the mint, dyes, and artificial sweetner. If cork is dried out from age, after cleaning, rub with pure lanolin which you can get at a pharmacy. After a few days, the lanolin soaks in and the grip does not feel at all greasy. Tips from Sante "Fishin' Banjo" Giuliani re fixing up my old F E Thomas bamboo rod. |
Edited by - el Gordito on 07/05/2010 1:06:20 PM |
|
|
|
Bill Blake
Frequent Contributor
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2010 : 09:10:11 AM
|
| I never had any problems cleaning the cork the dish soap and water. |
 |
|
|
|
Dan Daly
Starting Member
15 Posts |
Posted - 07/16/2010 : 2:46:46 PM
|
| I wouldn't sand them. That is only going to make the handle smaller over time. Denatured alcohol works great. |
|
|
|
Chaz
Active Member
USA
75 Posts |
Posted - 07/16/2010 : 5:53:15 PM
|
| I've got several rods I've built myself and have never cleaned the grips, the rods are getting aged. I guess what I'm saying is the worst of it can be rinsed off with water and a little soap. Be careful with chemicals because the grips are several pieces of cork with no glue between them only on the rod. Chemicals will dissolve the glue if you aren't careful. |
Chaz |
|
|
|
beastro
Starting Member
14 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2010 : 07:17:23 AM
|
| I seen this thread so I checked out my rod and the cork looks dirty. scrubed it with dish soap and it stayed the same color (dark). Its a dark cork handle not light so it looks dirty. you might have that? |
|
|
|
Todd
Frequent Contributor
USA
320 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2010 : 09:57:53 AM
|
| Washing your cork handle is sacrilegious |
|
|
|
Empress
Starting Member
2 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2010 : 1:19:00 PM
|
| Thanks for all the good advice. I like the low chem approach of soap and water or baking soda. But Larvae wins my vote just because of the minty fresh smell next time I get the cork wet. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
How to clean cork grips?
