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Equipment => Bats => Bat Care => Topic started by: geeders on February 29, 2012, 04:54:16 PM

Title: hiding ugly grains
Post by: geeders on February 29, 2012, 04:54:16 PM

I bought a very cheap slazenger SXi off ebay last year. It was one of the lower models (classic) with the horrible fibreglass sheet on it.

Looking at the grains exposed above the sheet they looked pretty nice - evenly spaced and straight so I decided to strip it down. The grains under the sheet tailed off and were wavy with a few knots for good measure.

It was only a cheap bat but it goes fairly well, so i'm looking for anyway of hiding the grains.

I had read about using carpet cleaner to bleach it, but i'm not too keen on bleaching at the moment. I also want to avoid putting a fibreglass sheet on - so I was wondering if there were any 'opaque' scuff sheets, as all the ones I have used previously have been clear.

Will add a couple of pictures shortly.

Title: Re: hiding ugly grains
Post by: geeders on February 29, 2012, 05:30:39 PM

pics

(http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/geeders/IMG_20120229_172050.jpg)

(http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/geeders/IMG_20120229_172155.jpg)

Title: Re: hiding ugly grains
Post by: Fezballoh on February 29, 2012, 06:07:30 PM

Wouldn't worry about it, mate. I don't know much about bleaching but i can't see it doing anything for the knots. You said yourself it goes well so just keep making runs with it. My old Thruxton is an ugly son of a gun but it pings, filler and all!

Title: Re: hiding ugly grains
Post by: SkipperJ on March 02, 2012, 07:49:53 PM

I have seen pictures of some lower grade GN bats with scuff sheets that had perfectly straight grains "painted" on them. Not sure if these scuff sheets are available for purchase though... The bats looked like a much higher grade willow, until you looked at them more closely.

Title: Re: hiding ugly grains
Post by: steelcouch on March 02, 2012, 09:13:27 PM

be proud mate.If you got a cheap bat that performs, BONUS
Fake covers look (No Swearing Please)

Title: Re: hiding ugly grains
Post by: Blazer on March 02, 2012, 09:55:44 PM

If a hammer edge type scuff sheet is applied ,the fibre glass tape will hide a couple of grains and make it slightly better. Also if a single band of fibreglass tape is applied across the grain, it will break the grain pattern. There are worse looking bats around.

Title: Re: hiding ugly grains
Post by: Bruce on March 02, 2012, 10:33:01 PM

How about using the tape for repairs accross the whole face?

Title: Re: hiding ugly grains
Post by: awp on March 05, 2012, 09:58:04 AM

the fibre style scuff sheet? seems to be preferred among many test players so I'm guessing its lighter?

Title: Re: hiding ugly grains
Post by: Bruce on March 05, 2012, 10:59:55 AM

Yup that or just a roll of Bat repair tape and go as high up the face as he wants.

Title: Re: hiding ugly grains
Post by: SkipperJ on March 07, 2012, 05:00:19 PM

FWIW, I don't think your bat is quite as ugly as this one...

(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k511/SkiperJ/V500.jpg)

The grains themselves aren't that bad, but the stains make them look much worse. Anyone know whether these are water stains? Never seen them on a bat before.

Despite the horrid looks, this is a surprisingly decent bat. Bought it off fleabay because I had always wanted to own a classic Slaz. Will probably use it in the nets or just for close-in catch practice  :-[

Title: Re: hiding ugly grains
Post by: Fezballoh on March 07, 2012, 05:42:51 PM

As it's not a knot(!) It could be where a limb has branched out of the trunk and disturbed the pattern of the grain. So perhaps this cleft came from the toppermost useful part for the trunk? Just a stab really. Maybe someone who knows will tell us :s