Want to darken some cork handles what do you suggest? Tried the U40 product

You can use an oil wash. danish oil will bring out the grain without any buildup. You can use other darker oils if you want a darker appearance( teak oil, tru oil, etc) I like the danish due to what i stated before.

A light thread finish will give it a golden look

Bill - willierods.com

A light thread finish will give it a golden look Bill are you saying to wrap the cork with cork?

John, Will the oil also seal the cork and act as the U40 cork seal?

John, Will the oil also seal the cork and act as the U40 cork seal?

No
Put thread finish on it ( finish ) I have put a coat on then sanded it and did another thin wet coat
Just try to fill any holes Or a coat then stop and fill holes with finish May take two heavy coats to fill the holes sanding each

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/28/2015 10:16AM by bill boettcher.

Good idea Bill I'll try it. thanks

Also be carefull of air bubbles coming from the holes I usually try sticking a pin in them to pop them

Bill - willierods.com

Bill,
Remember, cork floats. Cork does not absorb water or anything else very well. Normally any time you put something on top of cork, it is just laying there, but not really being absorbed into the cork.
So, although the change might look fine upon doing the work, it is only a guess as to how long that look will remain on the grip.

Good luck

But like anything else It can be refreshed with a thin coat
And how long does finish on thread wraps last It maynot soak in well I give the handle a wash and a red scoff pad sanding But like thread with CP over it just lays on but does stick pretty well

Bill - willierods.com

the danish oil will add protection. I know some bow makers that only use danish oil and nothing else. it is easy to apply and reapply if necessary. i use it on corks and woods where i want to bring out the grain without darkening the piece. it will a little but not much

Tru oil (gunstock finish) will darken the cork several shades. It will also seal the cork and will leave it with a tough outer layer.

Rog

Bill,

If you have U-40 Perma Gloss in your shop, it works great for this. I use it on all my grips.

Take care,

Chris

Marine Varnish. Made to hold up to water and will darken the cork for sure. Its also going to make a noticable feel difference in the handle. If feels slick at first but get your hand wet and I bet its tackier then plain cork. Has almost and antique look to it.

Guys if you haven't tried this stuff you need to It's called briwax .[www.briwax.com] I use the un-tinted standard. It will darken your cork more then U-40 super easy to work with. After my final sanding I scoop a bit on my finger tips turn on the lathe and start smearing in on, Lighty grab hold of the spinning cork and let the friction heat it up and melt and soak in, If you want shine do the final buff with a T -shirt scrap. Matt finish can be achieved with a final buff with 000-0000 wool or fine scotch-brite. Lot of wood working stores sell it I had no problem finding it you can also get it whit stain in it. Give it a try I think you will like it. Ja

Jay,

Not sure where you live but, I have a question for you. Here in Arizona we can have some 117 degree days out on the water. I like to fish the salt river here in the valley from time to time and had to stop using braided leaders because one of the ones I bought from orvis ended up having wax of some kind in it. It ended up all over my rod,my hands, my shirt, my pants, and everywhere else you can imagine. Then to top it off I can't get it to wash out. My only consern with briwax would be that its a wax. I know carnauba holds up just fine on cars out here but I would dare you to pick up a slab of bee's wax of my sidewalk in the summer. To make my really long story short, but only after I told my stories. Do you know if it will remelt at hi temps?

Hi Jim, Well I can tell you it holds up to 150 degres fine. I just tested it in my oven LOL, on it's lowest setting, grip went in for 20 mins. The only thing i noticed was I had it buffed out to a semi-gloss, After the oven it had more of a satin look which looks even better i think, It may have soaked in? Real rich looking No real rub off on a white paper towel It really makes the colors of my checker boards and grain of the cork POP I use natural and varying burnt corks in my layouts. The film it leaves is so thin I can't see were you would have it stain clothing. You will still get your tackier wet hand grip unlike plain cork. I reminds me alot like shoe polish, Actually shoe polish my work ?? And that doesn't wipe off after standing in the hot sun?. I am more of a wood turner then rod builder, I have a big Nova lathe that can turn up Huge 27 inch platters and bowls and things as well as 2 smaller dia longer machines set up with duplicators, that I turn fancy reproduction spindles on for Victorian era porches and stairways to match their originals. Your mileage may vary. Try some shoe polish ya can get that anywhere or Briwax they are both Friction polish, and lay up some samples and see how you like it. Jay

I'm gonna give it a try. Like I said I was worried about the heat. Doesn't sound like thats a problem.