What happens when you get your rod wet?

[StrokerSmoker]

I lost a rod while fishing with my buddy..... 2 years later my buddy was fishing alone same spot and snagged the rod....it was a gloomis shimano metainium combo the reel was corroded but cleaned up fine the cork is a little rough rod still in use that was 15 years ago.
I am more concerned with a new rod that hasnt been bent yet......I have new ones shatter in to 6 pieces and they never been wet

[RazorCat]

did all my rods with u 40 this winter what a difference this season cork still looks like new love that stuff

The first thing I do when I buy a new rod is wipe the cork down with a Magic Eraser, smooth out any imperfections (never found one on a single St. Croix rod I’ve purchased), and then apply a light, smooth coat of U40. I clean them once or twice a season with Dawn and a Magic Eraser. When they start getting hard to keep clean I clean ad recoat. Great stuff.