How to Restore a Cork Rod

Cork is a common material on fishing rods. Cork is primarily used on the handle and grip sections of the rod. The material is prone to wear and discoloration but restoring the cork is an easy task on most rods. The restoration process results in a smooth, consistently colored piece of cork similar to the original look. Cork handles with excessive chipping and large chunks missing may require replacement. Fillers work well for small chunks, but large tears are difficult to repair.

Things You'll Need

  • Cloth
  • 200-grit sandpaper
  • Cork dust
  • Epoxy
  • Putty knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wipe the cork with a damp cloth to remove oils from the surface. Use warm water and do not add any bleach or chemicals. Some people bleach the cork but the harsh chemicals are necessary for restoration.

    • 2

      Rub the cork with 200-grit sandpaper to remove a thin layer from the surface. The sandpaper removes the dirty layer and returns the cork to the original color.

    • 3

      Mix dust from cork of the same color or sawdust with five-minute epoxy. Mix the materials until you have a doughy consistency. Use a small putty knife to fill holes in the cork with the epoxy. Scrape the edge of the knife across the surface of the cork and epoxy for a flush finish. Leave the epoxy to dry for five minutes.

    • 4

      Lightly rub the dry epoxy with the sandpaper. Rubbing the epoxy breaks the smooth texture and helps the epoxy filler blend with the cork.