cork rod handle cleaning

[kevfish]

Is there a way or a product that works good to clean the cork handle on a fishing pole?

[Chris Haley]

I have used tooth paste with good results. My favorite is 220 grain sand paper though, because it smooths out the pitting from use also.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I'll second the fine sandpaper. Leaves them looking and feeling better than new!

[Steve Foss]

You can just submerge the cork handle in a sinkful of water and dishwashing soap. Let it soak a minute, then scrub it with a scrub brush and she'll be clean as can be. Most dishwashing soap has greasecutters, and they take out the ground-in skin oils, which is part of what makes cork dirty and slick. The bristles get down in the holes and depressions and lift out more dirt than with other methods (toothbrush is just as effective but takes longer because it's so small.) The sandpaper trick is a good one. I use a green scrubby pad on the wet handle once the handle's clean to buff it down.

I've done this with my own rods and with a group of rods I sold once, and those clean cork handles sure attracted people. Makes the rod look new again. Brings a better price.

[Jim T]

I have had success using rubbing alcohol to restore cork handles to like new.