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Equipment => Bats => Bat Care => Topic started by: farnham_quins_2 on January 27, 2013, 02:34:14 PM

Title: Oiling the back?
Post by: farnham_quins_2 on January 27, 2013, 02:34:14 PM
As the title says, the basic aim of this thread is to hear peoples' views on oiling the back of the bat.

Ive been looking at a few threads on here and youtube videos (inc a Julian Millichamp one) regarding oiling. Most advice seems to be dont oil the back at all, yet a few (inc Millichamp) say to oil the back?
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: wilkie113 on January 27, 2013, 02:35:29 PM
I always oil after I've put a scuff on, so oil all the parts that aren't covered by stickers or scuff.
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: Bruce on January 27, 2013, 02:36:32 PM
I used the Salix bat wax on the back of a bat after all stickers came off for a refurb and oiling made the outlines of the stickers visible again.
I won't be oiling the back again!
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: farnham_quins_2 on January 27, 2013, 02:37:48 PM
I used the Salix bat wax on the back of a bat after all stickers came off for a refurb and oiling made the outlines of the stickers visible again.
I won't be oiling the back again!

Really? Thats what I was planning to do? Havent waxed it yet though, just had the stickers off...
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: Bruce on January 27, 2013, 04:37:15 PM
Yup all my hard work undone!
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: shoab68 on January 27, 2013, 05:19:03 PM
Following advise of some experts, i always oil at the back.
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: Andypara on January 28, 2013, 05:14:18 AM

yeah I always oil the back too as it locks in the moisture content and also protects the wood
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: mattw on January 28, 2013, 05:16:40 AM
For every part of the bat that stickers aren't covering or isn't oiled - moisture is escaping from the bat. Upto you...
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: Number4 on January 28, 2013, 06:44:56 AM
yeah I always oil the back too as it locks in the moisture content and also protects the wood

This^^^
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: Ryan on January 28, 2013, 08:42:49 AM
This^^^

I'd also have to agree with the above.
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: ajmw89 on January 28, 2013, 08:58:55 AM
Always oil the bare parts.  I usually oil my bats before I put a scuff sheet on, just so the colour of the wood is the same throughout the bat!
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: Red Ink Cricket on January 28, 2013, 09:00:55 AM
as others have said all exposed areas should be oiled (except the splice). it adds little to no weight at all and keeps the moisture in the bat. why wouldnt you oil the back?
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: farnham_quins_2 on January 28, 2013, 09:06:43 AM
as others have said all exposed areas should be oiled (except the splice). it adds little to no weight at all and keeps the moisture in the bat. why wouldnt you oil the back?

I don't know, but I'm sure I've read in a few places that you don't oil it...
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: jamesisapayne on January 28, 2013, 09:07:05 AM
Always oil the bare parts.  I usually oil my bats before I put a scuff sheet on, just so the colour of the wood is the same throughout the bat!
Me too = hate the colour difference in wood beneath the scuff sheet. It's the OCD in me!
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: tim2000s on January 28, 2013, 11:52:04 AM
I don't know, but I'm sure I've read in a few places that you don't oil it...
Oh you should.... otherwise your bat will still dry out more than should be acceptable.
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: Red Ink Cricket on January 28, 2013, 11:55:59 AM
I don't know, but I'm sure I've read in a few places that you don't oil it...

it would be interesting to know the reasons behind this if you can remember/find the info?
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: Bruce on January 28, 2013, 11:56:51 AM
Perhaps I didn't go with a low enough grade of sandpaper?
Also they were  (in that instance) Kookaburra stickers, Their stickers are see through around the edge of the decals so this may whiten the wood somewhat.

I have another Kook to do shortly, will see what happens on this one.

Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: fasteddie on January 28, 2013, 12:03:59 PM
I always insist on a back oil.

(Oops, wrong thread!)
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: farnham_quins_2 on January 28, 2013, 01:00:54 PM
it would be interesting to know the reasons behind this if you can remember/find the info?

Just came across it while googling the subject the other day...can't remember where now though. I'll have a little look and see if I can find it again
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: Six Sixes Cricket on January 28, 2013, 02:05:23 PM
Surely oiling stops moisture gain, not loss?
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: ajmw89 on January 28, 2013, 02:16:40 PM
It does both.  It seals the wood to prevent moisture getting in or out.
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: biggsy143 on January 28, 2013, 02:37:55 PM
I was surprised to hear one of the bat makers at Gray nicolls saying don't oil the back of the bat but speaking to laver and wood they said to oil the back of the bat. So i guess players choice but i will always oil the back of my bat as i don't want it to dry out
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: farnham_quins_2 on January 28, 2013, 02:48:39 PM
From what I read it seems that no one says oiling the back will do any harm. More that there isn't much point...

I think once I've waxed my bat, I'll see what it looks like then decide whether to oil it or not...
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: Six Sixes Cricket on January 28, 2013, 02:52:50 PM
Isn't oiling and waxing the same principle.
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: ajmw89 on January 28, 2013, 02:56:33 PM
Pretty much.
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: farnham_quins_2 on January 28, 2013, 02:57:15 PM
Isn't oiling and waxing the same principle.

Not too sure...I assume there is a difference? Or a reason to do one then the other?
Title: Re: Oiling the back?
Post by: uknsaunders on January 28, 2013, 03:19:05 PM
if the scuff is on already I don't bother. When I remove the scuff, I normally sand down and will put a little wax on both sides. I then put a new scuff back on. Regarding losing moisture it all depends where you leave the bats. I lost 0.4oz from leaving it in the car for the whole summer, hardly a disaster. Likewise, leave the bat in a damp environment and the moisture content will go up, making the bat heavier. The bat can take on moisture as well as lose it. I would keep an eye on the bat weight from time to time but unless it drops dramatically I wouldn't worry too much. 

The other thing that's maybe inferred from interweb is moisture is lost in different places. Losing moisture from the face is far more of a problem than losing it from the spine. After all the spine doesn't normally hit the ball. Hence the advice on not oiling if a scuff is on.