Stripped my SM5 Raw Black wedges and saw...

Take a look at the pics...should I be concerned with those cracks in the hosel? These have never been hit, just soaked in CLR and scrubbed with scotchbrite pads.

Before

Soaking in CLR

After first scotchbrite scrub

After the last scrub - what are these cracks from?

All in all, I'm happy with how they turned out. Ended up in CLR for over 24 hours, scrubbed them four or five times. Next, I need to strip and redo the paint fill, but I'd like to do all of my clubs so it can wait. Input is appreciated. Guessing it's nothing that should concern me, but I'm kind of a worrier.

Hi minitour,

IIRC Vokey wedges are cast from 304 SS or something similar. The cracks look strange, since I was under the impression, that you don't have to weld a hosel to a cast iron. If those were Miura irons and one could see a seam after rawing them, I wouldn't be surprised. Seeing that in a cast design is strange, but I wouldn't worry about it.

Regards,
Michael

Its due to the heat treatment process of the raw black finish. I stripped 2 wedges and they were worse because the lie had been adjusted beforehand. It's purely cosmetic like a coating that cracks. The heat treatment is what makes the finish more durable and difficult to remove.

Not sure how it could be anything other than cracks from loft/lie adjustment at Titleist. Both are right where the shaft ends in the hosel. I've had a loft/lie machine now for years and and I'm confident that's what it is.

[quote name='Choppy' timestamp='1444994671' post='12463808']
Not sure how it could be anything other than cracks from loft/lie adjustment at Titleist. Both are right where the shaft ends in the hosel. I've had a loft/lie machine now for years and and I'm confident that's what it is.
[/quote]

That sounds right.

I was thinking loft/lie but I haven't bent these yet. I hadn't considered that Titleist may have done that before shipping.

Thanks for easing my mind.

[quote name='minitour' timestamp='1445000080' post='12464088']
I was thinking loft/lie but I haven't bent these yet. I hadn't considered that Titleist may have done that before shipping.

Thanks for easing my mind.
[/quote]
I'm waiting for the next question... "How do I re-finish these to cover the cracks?"

If they are indeed cracks, I wonder if Titleist will replace them after the finish has been removed?

[quote name='Socrates' timestamp='1445001757' post='12464222']
[quote name='minitour' timestamp='1445000080' post='12464088']
I was thinking loft/lie but I haven't bent these yet. I hadn't considered that Titleist may have done that before shipping.

Thanks for easing my mind.
[/quote]
I'm waiting for the next question... "How do I re-finish these to cover the cracks?"
[/quote]

Hahaha no once they rust I'm sure that will take care of itself.

I wondered about the replacement thing and can't see there being a huge issue with removing the finish since it's designed to wear away anyway. I just expedited the process.

[quote name='minitour' timestamp='1445004655' post='12464456']
[quote name='Socrates' timestamp='1445001757' post='12464222']
[quote name='minitour' timestamp='1445000080' post='12464088']
I was thinking loft/lie but I haven't bent these yet. I hadn't considered that Titleist may have done that before shipping.

Thanks for easing my mind.
[/quote]
I'm waiting for the next question... "How do I re-finish these to cover the cracks?"
[/quote]

Hahaha no once they rust I'm sure that will take care of itself.

I wondered about the replacement thing and can't see there being a huge issue with removing the finish since it's designed to wear away anyway. I just expedited the process.
[/quote]
I remember back in time when companies would paint persimmon woods black and then guys would strip them down because they wanted a nice oil-stained look. There was a reason they were painted black.

Not a fan of the black finishes on irons. Just saw the new Cobra King irons and they would've looked so much better with anything else. Think Callaway about 6 years ago with the black and orange color scheme. That went over well. Great irons and I guess anyone who buys them will be stripping those down too.

I think a matte black chrome with black ferrules, black ion shafts, and black grips could look "cool". Maybe white paint fill just for the club number/loft.

Im in the UK - and am stripping my 2 x SM'5 Black's as we speak (Sitting in Coke, and i've wiped over twice with a green scouring pad). One is coming up really well, The finish in the other is alot tougher and has literally done nothing yet !

What is CLR, or what does CLR stand for ?

"Calcium, Lime, Rust"

It smells like death, but does a pretty good job.

[quote name='minitour' timestamp='1445034677' post='12466652']
"Calcium, Lime, Rust"

It smells like death, but does a pretty good job.
[/quote]

Thanks.

So its like a toilet (?) / sink cleaner ?

It'll clean anything but your cat.

Use distilled vinegar... Will only take a couple hours. Let the raw blacks sit completely submerged for 2-3 hours then hit them with a 3m scouring pad. Re-submerged for another hour...repeat if necessary.