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Conference 7.286::golf

Title:	Welcome to the Golf Notes Conference!
Notice:	FOR SALE notes in Note 69 please! Intros in note 863 or 61.
Moderator:	FUNYET::ANDERSON

Created:	Tue Feb 15 1994
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2129
Total number of notes:	21499

1514.0. "WANTED: Club restoration techniques" by ODIXIE::RHARRIS (Ultralight forever) Fri May 01 1992 13:28

    I recently purchased an old, old set of golf clubs.  They are
    first flight irons and woods.  The irons are metal shafts with
    some type of fiberglass coating.  The irons have surface rust,
    and appear to say "P.G.A." on the back of the blade.  I paid
    $1 a piece, and have 2i-pw, 1, 2, 3, 4, w.
    
    I want to restore these clubs as much as possible without damaging
    them, and hanging them on the wall for decorative purposes.
    
    First question:  What can I use to either soak the irons in, or use
    to eat up the surface rust?
    
    Second question"  What can I use to clean and polish the woods with?
    
    This is going to be a pet project, with no time limits, so any process
    that is time consuming is fine.  Also, the clubs came with a real old
    cloth carrying bag.  Got the whole thing for $15.
    
    Bob

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
1514.1		OBRIEN::kevin	Certifiable golfer	`Fri May 01 1992 14:27`	25
	There's a product called rust-cutter sold by most golf club component distributors. It's very effective, but make sure you wear rubber gloves when using it. I suspect though that the rust is caused by the chrome plating chipping off exposing the base metal. In this case the proper method would be to sandblast, regroove and rechrome. This is time consuming (not an issue) but also expensive and difficult. (remember you'll want to save the stampings also) If the finish on the woods is still in good shape, then glanz wax and an unstitched buffing wheel will do the trick. I wouldn't play with them after this (you're removing finish) but it works just fine for displaying them. If the finish is chipped then a standard refinish is in order. If there is an engraving on the crown of the head, a dremel tool is required. If you have not done this type of thing before, DO NOT start with these clubs. Go get some junkers and practice. There are several good books about refinishing clubs, also some good schools on the subject. Look in the golf mags for suppliers, or send mail and I can make a recommendation. OF course even after reading the books, club refinishing is still more art than science so the junkers are the most important part of the process. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun doing this, but the best part will be hanging them up on your wall. KO
1514.2	"Auld is Often the Best"	NEMAIL::GLASS		`Mon May 18 1992 10:13`	21
	Hi, First Flight was one of the premier golf clubs in the 1930s...... ......They were popular due to the workmanship and staining of woods. The fiberglass coating on the shafts is meant to simulate the hickory that these first steel shafts replaced......You will most likely find that the shafts are coated with celluloid and not fiberglass. Sounds like a "nice" find and a good price......Go to an antique dealer and get their buffing wax for the woods......The pink, commercial rust jelly is fine for the irons......Remember, they are old and will look better displayed clean but auld. Should you really want to go first class, send them off to Golfworks in Newark, Ohio for the ultimate in refinishing......Get an eleven club rack from Austad's in South Dakota to display them on the wall......Well worth the investment to perserve a fine set of matched clubs from the 1930s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Regards, Tom