Cleaning/Restoring Cork Rod Handles

[DADAKOTA]

Always used a soft brush and a sink of water with some Dawn dish soap in it to clean up my cork rod handles.  Is there a better method?

[tjm]

That's a pretty good way I think.  Is it not working well?

[Dutch]

I have heard magic eraser works well.

[Mr. Smallfish]

After cleaning apply some U40 cork treatment.  Will help keep it clean.

[netboy]

I recently restored an old Shakespeare Wonder Rod 4wt fly rod that I used back in the 60's and the cork was in terrible condition. I used these shrink wrap covers and they worked great....

  New X-Tube Heat Shrink Wrap Tubing 39"&64"Lengths for Rod Grips 5 Color 14 Sizes | eBay

[tjm]

Some people use Magic Eraser or Soft Scrub, fine grit sandpaper  or toothpaste, someone on another forum said that 409 cleaner worked for him.

I wouldn't use Magic Eraser or sand paper, but that's just me.  I've used Soft Scrub on a couple of old rods and it might be quickest way I've used. I didn't scrub very hard, just smeared it on and used a dripping wet cloth to wipe it off, then rinsed it well to remove residue.

when mine are  clean dry I put Minwax finishing wax on them, to help keep them clean. 

[fishinwrench]

Simple Orange hand cleaner & pressurized water 👍 

Then if it's REALLY BAD.... sand it down with 220

[tjm]

I bet any hand cleaner would work, what's on the grip is hand scum/hand grease. I haven't a lot of experience at it,  I  just don't seem to get my grips as dirty as some do, I've only deep cleaned grips on rods I bought used.

[Terrierman]

I've cleaned cork grips in the kitchen sink with warm water, Dawn and a scotch Brite sponge.  Afterwards, apply a fresh coat of fish slime as a preservative.  Eels are best.

[jdmidwest]

11 minutes ago, Terrierman said:

I've cleaned cork grips in the kitchen sink with warm water, Dawn and a scotch Brite sponge.  Afterwards, apply a fresh coat of fish slime as a preservative.  Eels are best.

How many eels have you had on the fly rod?   I shocked one up on a Mississippi River Tributary during a shocking run for my cousins Master Thesis in College.  Never had one on hook and line.