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[No.4]

Hello Folks,

A quick search on the forum didn't bring back any results.  I have just finished playing a t20 where I ended up batting in some rather wet and windy conditions and as a result my bat now has a very wet toe. 

Is there anything you would recommend I should do to care for it? So far I have removed it from my bag of wet gear, wiped off any excess and then left it stood up.

[TangoWhiskey]

Buy a new bat. Now you have one bat to use in the wet and one to use in the dry.

[liscon12]

Hmm does your bat have a toe guard?

I would say just leave it out of any bags in a cool dry place and just let it naturally dry off. If the back is covered in water spots then maybe a little sanding and some oil but I'm no expert in is, I'm sure there are loads of folk on here better suited to answer the question.

[ajmw89]

Light sanding and oil for the waterspots.  Only thing you can really do for the moisture is dry all the surface off as best as possible and then let it naturally air dry.  Don't put it in too warm an environment, as this can cause it todry too quickly, and kill your bat...

[Seniorplayer]

After removing excess water  place bat somewhere light and airy garage for example when dry if no toe guard apply linseed oil to the toe and the face to help prevent water ingression to stop  the toe cracking and swelling and the face peeling.
Personally I don't like toe guards I tend to seal the toes  of my bats with Ronseal Hammerite anti damp paint works a treat.

[ajmw89]

Once it's dry, I would apply a couple of coats of PVA glue to the toe.  It seals the pores more thouroughly than linseed oil

[Seniorplayer]

Ive used PVA on bat toes a couple a times but thought it looked messy and the toe was hard to clean.

[Phoenix]

I'd wipe the excess off and get some absorbant paper towel and try to push as much of the water out of the toe  whilst wiping any moisture up. Leave to dry in the sun. If the toe swells at all apply a bit of oil then after a few hours, dress the swelling out with some firm blows from a mallet

[TangoWhiskey]

Ive used PVA on bat toes a couple a times but thought it looked messy and the toe was hard to clean.

I think i read somewhere that people water down PVA glue. Would imagine that would provide a neater finish?

[Seniorplayer]

I think i read somewhere that people water down PVA glue. Would imagine that would provide a neater finish?

You are correct PVA can be thinned by adding water to make it more plyable  but will decrease the strength of the bond.

[TangoWhiskey]

But the point in this exercise isn't to form a bond, it's to form a coat to block out the water...

[Seniorplayer]

But the point in this exercise isn't to form a bond, it's to form a coat to block out the water...

Yes that's correct I guess what I am trying to say is  that when PVA comes into contact with water or damp it softens and  breaks down.

[johnrockin]

If the toe gets wet on my bat, I tend to stand it in a bowl of rice.

I use Shoe Goo to help protect the toe from water damage.