Bringing color out of cork?

[dogsbody]

Gday Viewers I was wondering what is the best stuff to use to bring the color out of cork? When this type of cork is wet it really has good color definition which is the look I want (2nd pic).

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/dogsbodyray/corkgrip.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/dogsbodyray/wetcork.jpg
Cheers

Dave

[finga]

gees mate, the green bits are green :)
What-ever you use to bring the colour out will kinda seal the cork.
Some might think that's a good thing whilst others will think that's a bad thing.
Do you have a bit of cork left over to experiment on??
That pistol grip rod I showed you just had a few (about 30) of water proof oil used on boat timber but if only one coat was used???
Dunno really...just suggesting. :)
Cheers then
Scott

[dogsbody]

I do have a couple of bits spare to have a crack at. Maybe some wax applied like the woodturners do.

Dave

[Mark Fisher]

Dave,

I've tried U40 Cork Seal and Tru Oil. To be honest, if you use more than a couple of coats of Tru-Oil you will lose the impact of the green in the cork. I really like the finish the Tru-Oil gives but I use it on exotic burl cork, not the coloured cork. The U40 Cork seal is another good product. A couple of coats will really bring out the grain of the cork. I put a couple of coats on and let each coat dry for about 8-10 hours. Then using a lathe, you need to get the grips turning at high speed. Using a cotton cloth, you need to polish the grips until you get a bit of heat into them which seems to put a gentle lustre on them and enhances the "sealled" look. Other than that, I would go the way you were talking about with the wood turners wax. The cork will, more than likely, darken up.

Mark

[dogsbody]

Thanks Mark I don't mind the cork darkening a little as long as it brings more of the green color out.

I'll experiment with the spare bits.

Dave

[Bearclaw]

Like Mark suggests, U40 cork seal and you shouldn't lose the natural feel of the cork.

[oldboot]

there are a couple of posibilities.

I use U-Beaut tradtional wax on all my cork grips.....I rub a bit on and then buff it off...yes it does darken the cork a little but it does bring out the texture and colour....and it realy does not change the feel if you don't go overboard.

it is also reversable you could wash it out with turps.

another option would be a realy thin cut of shelac....normal shelac will shif the colour a little....U Beaut hard shelac will be longer lasting and their white shelac would give a more clear finish.

Likewise if you don't go overboard with the shelac it shouldnt change the feel too much.

If you are working with the cork in the lathe most of the standard woodturners tricks would be worth a try... but I would stay away from the high build friction polishes and the hard waxes like "hut" and "shithot"

I recon your best bet all round ...If you are working in a lathe.. would be to give it a coulpe of realy light coats of realy thin hard shelac sanding lightly after each coat has dried properly and then a light coat of soft wax ( stay away from anything with much bees wax in it the stuff is sticky) buffed off with a soft cloth.

I would be realy interested in how it comes up on cork

cheers

[Eug]

Sorry to bump up an old thread through searching, but I've just bought a rod that I'd like to have the cork treated/sealed. Where can I get a hold of this U40 sealant? Will I need much skill or just simply patience when applying?

Cheers
Eug

[Mark Fisher]

I'm not sure if anyone is selling U40 Cork Seal in Australia. You could try Ross at The Rodworks. If he doesn't have it, no-one here will. Also, try Mudhole Tackle. It will only take a week to arrive after ordering.

Use a thin smear of the U40 and let it dry (6-10) hours. Apply another coat and let it dry. Then use the directions I've already given in this thread and you can't really go wrong. You will not see any marked difference in your cork but you will feel it. The only other way I go is with Tru-oil.

Regards
Mark

[Eug]

Thanks mate will look into it.
Cheers
Eug

[chris69]

hi Eug i got some U40 in my last order from the mudhole in the USA good stuff like mark fisher said.