Print

[SirScottiod]

I have a cheap little handheld (mouse I think it might be called?) sander. It does the trick of light  refurbs and the such but half way through a more significant refurb and I'm struggling to get rid of the sticker shadows and the mahogany stain on the rest of the bat.

Whats the ideal sander to help my plight?

[iand123]

Are you using a decent quality sandpaper? From my experience the ones that come with the sander aren't great, and I buy Velcro rolls from eBay and cut them to shape. They seem to do a much better job with the sander

[iand123]

These https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221253083367 to be precise

[Mantis]

I find if the stain is a bit troublesome you have to go through the grades and be a bit aggressive with it.  120-240-400-600

Also the paper will clog up for a while as initially you're removing the old layers of oil. Just change the sheet and keep going!

[Gurujames]

A random orbit sander is best. For a good budget one go for a Bosch one.

[SirScottiod]

Palm sander is the thing ive got. Ive been hitting the bat with 40 grit and 60 grit and it still looks tatty!!

[tom line]

Some times if the bat is quite old you will just have to accept you will never get the colour completely even and all sticker marks removed, on saying that if a new sander is what your wanting long term I would recommend the Titan random orbit sander from screw fix although i wouldn't recommend using anything below 120 on it as it may well shred the bat as it's pretty powerful when on full.

[Seniorplayer]

Regardless of what the quality of  sander and grit  paper you use are I find that certain stains are so  deeply ingrained in the willow they cannot be removed without unless you go deep into  the willow.

[WalkingWicket37]

It may not get a positive reaction on here, and I've only done it once on a bat that was already damaged beyond repair as an experiment, but....

You can bleach the more stubborn stains out using a spray on carpet cleaner foam (Vanish worked for me). Spray it fairly generously all over and rub the foam so it covers all of the bat. Leave it for 24 hours. This will give the willow an anemic white look, so you need to give the whole bat a really thorough sand after this. Once you've sanded it to ensure the bleach is gone, work up the grades as you would normally. Once it's got a nice smooth finish apply a coat of oil all over. The willow will look like willow again and hopefully be all one colour.

[SirScottiod]

To be honest, I think the bat was on its last legs anyway. Its the SS I posted up in the winter refurb thread, and had half the bottom of the bat blown off!! Ill just give in, go through the grades and use it as a net bat I think. Shes certainly no looker now!!

[Seniorplayer]

With regard to bleaching willow it's a technique that's been around for years.

[WalkingWicket37]

With regard to bleaching willow it's a technique that's been around for years.

Yes, bleaching willow isn't by any means new, but does everyone know you can do it with carpet cleaner? If it was new or helpful to anyone then my post did it's job

[Seniorplayer]

Yes, bleaching willow isn't by any means new, but does everyone know you can do it with carpet cleaner? If it was new or helpful to anyone then my post did it's job

What I meant was that bleaching bats is a technique that as used by the industry on lower grade willow.
Never seen it done with a carpet cleaner though will have to try it.