Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Bat Care => Topic started by: wcc on January 30, 2018, 10:03:52 AM
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Hi All,
Just wondering what grades of sand paper people go through when refurbing a bat for the best possible finish?
I.e what grade do people use on the sander and then for hand finishing.
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I've been playing about with refurbs lately trying to find the secret formula - the best I've managed so far was using 80, 120, 180, 240 grit.
All 4 stages were done using my sander, nothing by hand, at varying speeds. The finish has actually come out really nice with no old sticker marks showing through. I'm just waiting on my polishing compound to arrive at the moment so once I've got that I should be able to get the finish nailed down too! The ones I've done look good enough to go as it is, I just want to add a bit of extra sheen with the compound :)
I know some on here go as far as 400 grit, but personally I think it's probably a bit overkill (but then if you're not going to use a polishing compound it'll probably make a difference).
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I tend to go 80, 120, 180, 240 on the orbital then hand sand with 320 and 400 to get a really smooth finish.
I don't polish bats, but have found applying a very light coat of oil then sanding with the 400 grit gives a good finish.
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I tend to go 80, 120, 180, 240 on the orbital then hand sand with 320 and 400 to get a really smooth finish.
I don't polish bats, but have found applying a very light coat of oil then sanding with the 400 grit gives a good finish.
Is the finish much better using a random orbital instead of hand held sheet sander?
Potentially going to invest in one if they are.
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Is the finish much better using a random orbital instead of hand held sheet sander?
Potentially going to invest in one if they are.
100%, avoids any unwanted scratches. Definitely worth the extra (mine was only 50 quid!)
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I have done a fair few refurbs and they have all come up really nicely (even if i do say so myself), I use 120/240/360/400 on my orbital, and then finish with a hand sand at 600 just to give it a nice sheen. apply bat wax (my own combination of linseed and beeswax) leave overnight, polish next day with my orbital polisher.
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Cheers everyone, where is the best place to purchase the sanding discs is varying grades? Thanks
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I've been getting mine from Amazon, pretty cheap and haven't had any issues with them so far - tons of options available
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I've been getting mine from Amazon, pretty cheap and haven't had any issues with them so far - tons of options available
Cheers just had a look, just what i am looking for.
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I have done a fair few refurbs and they have all come up really nicely (even if i do say so myself), I use 120/240/360/400 on my orbital, and then finish with a hand sand at 600 just to give it a nice sheen. apply bat wax (my own combination of linseed and beeswax) leave overnight, polish next day with my orbital polisher.
Forgive my ignorance mate...but when polishing with the orbital after the wax, do you sandpaper (what grade?) or something else?
Again please forgive my ignorance...
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For what it's worth:
First use a kettle to steam out any dents. Always sand round the existing stickers. Protect them with a bit of masking tape if you like, do this by hand.
A random orbit sander is preferable as it won't leave sanding markers.
If you use an orbital sander (usually has a rectangular base) you must sand it by hand in the direction of the wood grain. If you don't yet u will leave horizontal marks up the bat with will be visible although small.
A rotary sander will leave horrible scratches across the grain and should never be used.
Many people don't sand long enough before moving to the next grade of paper. You can achieve an outstanding finish with 240 grit paper if you can be bothered to do it properly.
I go 80/120/240 all on the random orbit. Then 240 grit by hand. I hand sand round the stickers with 80/120/240.
If you use a buffing compound/want to polish it then rub it with a lint free cloth. (Cotton rag).
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Forgive my ignorance mate...but when polishing with the orbital after the wax, do you sandpaper (what grade?) or something else?
Again please forgive my ignorance...
Hi mate I've got an orbital polisher like this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B002QS1LZ2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517334313&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=orbital+polisher&dpPl=1&dpID=41wD7jStGoL&ref=plSrch (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B002QS1LZ2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517334313&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=orbital+polisher&dpPl=1&dpID=41wD7jStGoL&ref=plSrch) doesn't need sandpaper just comes with a nice fluffy white head that gives the bats a great finish
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Hi mate I've got an orbital polisher like this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B002QS1LZ2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517334313&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=orbital+polisher&dpPl=1&dpID=41wD7jStGoL&ref=plSrch (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B002QS1LZ2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517334313&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=orbital+polisher&dpPl=1&dpID=41wD7jStGoL&ref=plSrch) doesn't need sandpaper just comes with a nice fluffy white head that gives the bats a great finish
@LEACHY48 can I ask what polish or compound do you apply to the bats after final sanding?? I do a lot of refurbs for club mates etc and use as has been said 80/120/240 on my sander but would love to get that as new look again with a polish after sanding.
I don’t currently own a orbital polisher so I may we’ll get one of these but would like to order a polish to apply before adding new scuff etc
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Hi mate I've got an orbital polisher like this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B002QS1LZ2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517334313&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=orbital+polisher&dpPl=1&dpID=41wD7jStGoL&ref=plSrch (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B002QS1LZ2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517334313&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=orbital+polisher&dpPl=1&dpID=41wD7jStGoL&ref=plSrch) doesn't need sandpaper just comes with a nice fluffy white head that gives the bats a great finish
Thanks for the assistance mate. Unfortunately mine has the Velcro backing, so I don’t think it will be possible.
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You can get a buffing head with a Velcro back for the random orbit sanders.
http://www.ciponline.co.uk/builders-tools-and-diy-c10/d-i-y-power-tools-c459/draper-125mm-hook-and-loop-fitting-lambswool-polishing-bonnet-for-63124-random-orbital-sander-model-no-sb5v-p58806/s60457?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=draper-125mm-hook-and-loop-fitting-lambswool-polishing-bonnet-for-6312-dra63470&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6eOI9K-A2QIVpLDtCh1duAxbEAQYAyABEgLPGvD_BwE (http://www.ciponline.co.uk/builders-tools-and-diy-c10/d-i-y-power-tools-c459/draper-125mm-hook-and-loop-fitting-lambswool-polishing-bonnet-for-63124-random-orbital-sander-model-no-sb5v-p58806/s60457?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=draper-125mm-hook-and-loop-fitting-lambswool-polishing-bonnet-for-6312-dra63470&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6eOI9K-A2QIVpLDtCh1duAxbEAQYAyABEgLPGvD_BwE)
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@LEACHY48 can I ask what polish or compound do you apply to the bats after final sanding?? I do a lot of refurbs for club mates etc and use as has been said 80/120/240 on my sander but would love to get that as new look again with a polish after sanding.
I don’t currently own a orbital polisher so I may we’ll get one of these but would like to order a polish to apply before adding new scuff etc
@SOULMAN1012 I use my own bat wax made with white beeswax and raw linseed mate the polisher is great mate best investment I've made in terms of a refurb
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@SOULMAN1012 I use my own bat wax made with white beeswax and raw linseed mate the polisher is great mate best investment I've made in terms of a refurb
Could I purchase a tub/pot of your own bat wax? Give it a try over the Salix bat wax Iv always used?
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I've not actually got much left mate, my current tub is almost empty, you are more than welcome to have a tub of mine when I make my next batch which should be next week sometime if you just cover the postage? @SOULMAN1012
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I've not actually got much left mate, my current tub is almost empty, you are more than welcome to have a tub of mine when I make my next batch which should be next week sometime if you just cover the postage? @SOULMAN1012
@LEACHY48 that would be fantastic if you could let me know once you have made it, much appreciated
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You can get a buffing head with a Velcro back for the random orbit sanders.
[url]http://www.ciponline.co.uk/builders-tools-and-diy-c10/d-i-y-power-tools-c459/draper-125mm-hook-and-loop-fitting-lambswool-polishing-bonnet-for-63124-random-orbital-sander-model-no-sb5v-p58806/s60457?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=draper-125mm-hook-and-loop-fitting-lambswool-polishing-bonnet-for-6312-dra63470&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6eOI9K-A2QIVpLDtCh1duAxbEAQYAyABEgLPGvD_BwE[/url] ([url]http://www.ciponline.co.uk/builders-tools-and-diy-c10/d-i-y-power-tools-c459/draper-125mm-hook-and-loop-fitting-lambswool-polishing-bonnet-for-63124-random-orbital-sander-model-no-sb5v-p58806/s60457?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=draper-125mm-hook-and-loop-fitting-lambswool-polishing-bonnet-for-6312-dra63470&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6eOI9K-A2QIVpLDtCh1duAxbEAQYAyABEgLPGvD_BwE[/url])
Thanks mate. Actually stumbled across this on amazon. Do you recommend this over using a buffing wheel? Or does it not make a difference?
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It won't make a difference. A buffing whelk may do it a few seconds quicker.
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Find the key to an optimum finish is the quality of the sanding tend to use 400 grit paper from a specialist supplier.
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It won't make a difference. A buffing whelk may do it a few seconds quicker.
Thanks
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One other quick question.
Whats the best glue to use when glueing cracks?
Ive always used PVA glue in the past but its dried up so before i buy some more i wanted to double check.
Thanks
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Pva wood glue is good and you can get it easily enough
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Pva as mentioned or. ZAP superglue
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I use the gorilla PVA. Find it does a good bind . But it's just a premium PVA..
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I use the gorilla PVA. Find it does a good bind . But it's just a premium PVA..
It's not a PVA it's a polyeurathane glue and it cures very differently.
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This one is the polyurethane glue, sold as Gorilla Glue
http://uk.gorillaglue.com/gorilla-glue (http://uk.gorillaglue.com/gorilla-glue)
They do produce a PVA as well, sold as Gorilla Wood Glue
http://uk.gorillaglue.com/gorilla-wood-glue (http://uk.gorillaglue.com/gorilla-wood-glue)
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Custom glue forum for this pish ;)
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I stand corrected.
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I stand corrected.
;)
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I might just be stirring the pot here, but I've been told before (by a respected bat manufacturer) that PVA causes a moisture barrier within the wood and makes it more prone to breaking again than if you were to use a glue which leaves a permeable / flexible joint, which is the advantage of using animal glue.
Thoughts?
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I don't see it being a moisture barrier as an issue, but the extra rigidity of the join in comparison with its surroundings could increase stress leading to a more spectacular failure when the failure occurs.
So the more flexible the adhesive the better, that's why people don't use epoxy resin.
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Aniimal glues are rich in protein as it is made from animal tissue and can go mouldy if exposed to moisture. PVA is a synthetic polymer and does create a moisture barrier it's not only a high bond glue glue but a sealer.
Personally never came unstuck using PVA glue.
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I agree, I've never had any problem with PVA (the glue is normally stronger than the original wood in my experience) but it was just an interesting point, I'd be intrigued to know if any bat maker / re-furber has used it, or has any opinion on it?
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One of the original bats I refurbed a MnH...took the scuff off and lots of chunks of wood came off as it was so dry.
I filled the gaps with gorilla PVA glue , after a few attempts to get the bubbles out ETc.
It went like a gun.
Was sold on here to someone in Scotland! Be interested to know how it's going? Was a really good bat!