wood mast/cable protection
 

My shrouds are spliced cable on thumb cleats. There has never been any wrapping on the loops where they slip over the mast. Recently I've removed everything to refinish the mast. The cables have done surprisingly little damage on the mast but I'm sure it will effect the new varnish. My question is, what are some of the ways to wrap the loops to protect the mast, traditional or otherwise?
Thanks

Over at WoodenBoat Forum I mentioned traditional leathering over parcelling. But for non-traditional - clear plastic tubing reasonably snug. If you've not made the eye yet, super easy. If applying to an existing eye, slit the tubing and work it on. You don't even really need to seal up the slit, just serve up from each end a bit and as you put it on make sure the slit points away from the load.

G'luck

mast protection
 

Yes the eyes are existing. I would imagine it would have to be some fairly tough hose to do that.