For cork I like U-40 Cork Seal. Cheap and easy
Coat That Cork Handle! What's Better? Cork or EVA? Why?
I'll Be Using a Nail Polish w/Hardener Over Varathane To Coat The Cork. I'll Explain Why.
For coating multiple cork based rods it's way cheaper to use varathane. The hardener in nail polish has a chemical reaction to the Keratin in fingernails that causes it to harden. But it also seems to work extremely well coating my cork handles. For only a few rods it's advisable to use a clear nail polish w/a hardener base added in. For multiple rods just purchase a quart of varathane.
Instead of writing a long report on this please just watch the video. I've been doing this as long as i can remember from a young age. And i've seen my friend's $300 G. Loomis rod get destroyed overnight on it's first outing because my friend wasn't aware of this. I'll explain why you should coat your cork & some history of cork vs EVA foam grips to help you understand why this system works. Ask fly fishermen with expensive rods if they coat their cork handles.
For coating multiple cork based rods it's way cheaper to use varathane. The hardener in nail polish has a chemical reaction to the Keratin in fingernails that causes it to harden. But it also seems to work extremely well coating my cork handles. For only a few rods it's advisable to use a clear nail polish w/a hardener base added in. For multiple rods just purchase a quart of varathane.
Instead of writing a long report on this please just watch the video. I've been doing this as long as i can remember from a young age. And i've seen my friend's $300 G. Loomis rod get destroyed overnight on it's first outing because my friend wasn't aware of this. I'll explain why you should coat your cork & some history of cork vs EVA foam grips to help you understand why this system works. Ask fly fishermen with expensive rods if they coat their cork handles.
