Hello im looking for some expert advice. I recently drew a mayfly nymph image on one of my nymph fly rod cork handles. It really turned out nice and id like to try to preserve it. After doing so and researching methods to preserve it, i realized that past artwork ive seen like this on cork fly rod handles was actually burned in using a fine tip wood burning kit. I used fine tip marker/sharpie and was wondering if I could use anything to seal the image on the cork and preserve it since I do plan on fishing with it. Ive been recommended polyurethane, clear coat, U-40 cork sealant ect. But wanted to reach out to the experts and see if anyone could give me a sure fire answer from experience. Would the U-40 (which seems like the best idea to me because its for cork) seal my image with the cork? Or would it seal the cork, repelling the ink image? Cause that's kinda what it sounds like it's meant to do to me based on its description. I also realize my mistake in drawing on an image rather than burning it in and realize there may be no solution, that the image may just get ruimed. But I just wanted to reach out and see if anyone had any suggestions for my minor predicament, thanks ahead for any suggestions!!!

I have put wrap epoxy onto cork (without the sharpie ink) and it has lasted many years without any problems. Other than turning amber colored. If your nymph is on an area where having a glossy area on the handle would make design sense, then it might work for you. I suggest marking a cork ring with a marker and try wrap epoxy to see if the sharpie image runs. If it doesn't, I expect you can get a lot of years of use by coating it with wrap epoxy.

Another possible solution is to go over the image lines with a wood burning tip. this should be pretty bullet-proof and will preserve the cork look and function of the whole grip.

You might try this first on a scrap cork ring. Tru oil gun stock finish is nice on cork. Applied with an almost dry brush, it will seal without becoming glossy. Additional very thin coats will go from matte, to semi-gloss to glossy. I use it a lot.

Tru oil makes the cork more contrasty looking too. It also gives it a finish that feels harder than cork. But in reality , cork isn't as soft as most people think.

I can test it, but any idea how the tru oil will react with the sharpie image? Will it seal it onto the cork, or repel the ink out of the cork?

I know for a fact that wrap finish will cause some sharpie inks to run. I think you should test on other cork with whatever you decide to try.

I just did a test, black Sharpie on cork, followed with Tru-Oil. Did no damage to Sharpie image, in fact actually gave the image more contrast with the cork. One or two coats should protect the image very well!

If you cannot find Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil locally, it is available from Amazon.

Thank you so much!!!!