Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Bat Care => Topic started by: CricketEnthusiast on March 03, 2019, 10:25:09 AM
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Hi guys,
This will be my first time ever doing a bat refurb. I am familiar with the process though as I watched a ton of videos, but I still have some questions.
First of all, I only have sandpaper up to 240 grit, will this be alright? The only 400grit I can find here in AU is the wet and dry one, so is it suitable?
Secondly, is it safe to use white spirits on my bat?
Thirdly, should I put my facing over or under my stickers, and should I get a fibreglass or clear one?
And lastly I have a shoulder crack on my bat, I was told to just tape it up, but I'm not sure. Please give your thoughts on what to do.
https://i.imgur.com/17Nydj5.jpg
Thanks
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In my view:
240 grit is fine. Just make sure you go through the grits and don’t move through them too quickly.
Don’t use wet and dry, this is for metal/plastic and can leave dark stains on the wood.
I’m not sure why you would use white spirit, but it won’t effect the willow. If it’s to remove glue residue, I use a bit of linseed oil then scrape it off.
Stickers UNDER the scuff otherwise you will need new stickers/cut round the stickers when you rescuff.
Shoulder crack is nothing. I would leave it, or possibly put a little glue in and parcel tape. Personally I’m hugely against glue and dust as it looks awful and is very weak. I see it on kids GCSE projects all the time and it’s always best to avoid.
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Avoid wet and dry it will leave black stain in the grains as for the grit the higher the grade the finer the finish personally I use a finishing grit paper
As for scuff clear or fibre guess it depends if you want to see your bat grains stickers.
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I’ve used acetone on my bat to remove red marks/sticker residue - that’s absolutely fine. That sort of stuff evaporated so quickly that it doesn’t affect the wood.
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Thanks guys,
Should I oil the bat after putting new stickers and facing or before. How long should I let it dry?
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You can put stickers and then oil it but make sure to oil it before putting a face. I usually leave it for 2-3 days and check it with a clean paper towel to see if oil is completely absorbed.
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I prefer clear scuff sheets. I tried GN fibre scuff sheet and it gets really messy after a couple of nets sessions. The clear stuff can easily be wiped clean. The best type has fibre edge tape already fixed to the sides so it sticks very well to the bat. The best value stuff is ND which sticks well and retails as low as £1.50 on ebay, but make sure the bat is not over oiled or it won't stick.
I agree that extremely fine sand paper is not necessary unless you are trying to get a polished finish for resale. And even then it will be invisible under the scuff sheet.
Beware using coarse grade paper, as this can easily cut into the wood, especially on the back and splice where the wood can be softer.
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Thanks everyone,
I found in my garage a bottle of mineral turpentine, but can’t find white spirits. Is this the same thing? And I can I use this instead?
Thanks
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Yes you can. Most people don’t because of the smell.
Get yourself down to mitre 10 and get white spirit.
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Alright guys, the shoulder crack was no big deal, and was easily sanded away. However I did find a crack also running on the shoulder. Is this a surface crack or do I have to worry?
https://imgur.com/a/hjEKWeC
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Looks like a surface crack to me.
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Looks like an Icon, how do you rate the handle on yours? Mine is a Signature from 2017 and the handle is about as stiff as a wet noodle.
If you re-sticker, I hope you put them on crooked in true Icon style! God knows who puts them on at the factory but they need their eyes checked.
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Looks like an Icon, how do you rate the handle on yours? Mine is a Signature from 2017 and the handle is about as stiff as a wet noodle.
If you re-sticker, I hope you put them on crooked in true Icon style! God knows who puts them on at the factory but they need their eyes checked.
Indeed it is an Icon!
I bought a Signature in the 18/19 season, and I'm loving it so far! The handle is stiff, but the handle is much thinner than last year, making it comfier for me! My stickers were quite straight, as the owner of Icon put it in front of my eyes here in Melbourne, but I'm not sure about yours because every Icon I've seen had straight stickers.
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I've had three Icon's (and still have two) and they have all had crooked stickers!
I use my Signature as my net bat but the handle is terrible, perhaps this is typical of the early bats. I think I'll get a new handle put on it to firm things up since it's quite a nice bit of wood.