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[eukaryote76]

Hi, does anyone have a remedy for small indentations, more like fine but innumerable corrugations, on the spine and posterior surfaces of the edges of a new bat bought by mail order please? Problem is I bought from abroad and now have to live with it as it is, but it looks like damage which has occurred bouncing up and down in transit. It wasn't packed adequately. Most are very fine dents creating ridges and furrows about 1-2mm deep. It's a M&H Amplus and the finishing isn't great anyway but this just makes it worse. There are 5-10 deeper grooves on the back of the edges. Sanding might make it look worse especially on the spine if it ends up losing its shape. Any help gratefully received.

[Gurujames]

A steam iron will make the grain swell and lift out the indents.

[eukaryote76]

A steam iron will make the grain swell and lift out the indents.

@Gurujames should a thin towel be put over the willow before putting the iron set to steam against the blade to avoid scorching please?

[Gurujames]

You can do. You just need the steam to get into the indents, this will make the timber swell slightly and lift out the indent.

[Buzz]

you need to confirm that the iron shouldn't touch the wood!!

is that the case?

[Gurujames]

No that is not the case. The heat of the iron does not scorch the timber so long as you have plenty of steam.

[eukaryote76]

I experimented on an old bat with drops of boiling water, steam from the iron, and steam from kettle aligning the spine of the bat with spout off the kettle. For the innumerable tiny dents 40-50 down the spine, the kettle worked best with the bat pointing about 75 degrees from horizontal. Hey Presto 90% gone in under 20 seconds. I think maybe the iron for the bigger dents though might be needed. 

[Seniorplayer]

Just a thought do you have an hand held steamer as this used with a tapered nozzle within 1 inch of the dent does the job bettler tham a steam iron or kettle as it directs the steam precisely where it needs to go.
I brought a small one with attachments to steam out cricket bat dents for 15.00.

[sarg]

I use a hand streamer. Works a treat.