From Chrome to Raw

I know raw irons are the sexy thing to do these days. Does removing the chrome/nickel

affect the club swing weight or performance at all? Seems to me it must? I can't imagine that

the ball would come off the face in the same way. But, basing that on a hunch. I know there

are plenty on hear who know the answer. Please clue me in. 

I'de be interested to know as well, I am planning on going with new vokeys in raw for my 56/60. Leaving the 52 tour chrome in the bag. It doesn't get used too much but I'm always glad I have it when I need it.

If you were somehow able to remove the chrome from a set of irons, the heads would be much lighter than designed. The plating is a considerable weight. You could, of course, add it back with lead tape. Definitely changes the overall weight and the swingweight. 

I had a conversation in a PGA Superstore the other day with two self professed experts (one on staff, one club rep). They basically laughed in my face for suggesting any changes would occur. So, I'm with you hef. You take something away in weight, the heads are different. I just figured the face might be affected quite a bit in relation to the striking of the ball. But, I'm no expert either.

I can speak from quite a bit of experience on this one - I refinish quite a few sets and always remove chrome as the first step. 

Most head will lose 3-5 grams during the stripping 5 being the highest I've seen. As far as the face and grove depth etc it's minimal, the chrome and nickel layers are super thin to begin with. 

Wan

I wouldn't do that.

But I agree that raw irons are sexy!

Wan, I'm actually referring to any loss of bounce (trampoline effect for lack of a better term) off the face if the chrome is removed. How the ball explodes off it when struck. Is that affected any? There must be some level of performance increase gained by adding the chrome and nickel by the manufacturer (or is there?). Or is it there purely for aesthetics?

57Seve said:

Wan, I'm actually referring to any loss of bounce (trampoline effect for lack of a better term) off the face if the chrome is removed. How the ball explodes off it when struck. Is that affected any? There must be some level of performance increase gained by adding the chrome and nickel by the manufacturer (or is there?). Or is it there purely for aesthetics?

There is 0 performance loss - manufacturers offer raw finishes and I am yet to hear that raw irons produce less ball speed than chrome ones. You could argue the other way and say that without the chrome plating the metal is softer and therefore more springy.... but that would also be incorrect!

The ball exploding off the face is because it is colliding with a solid block of steel at speed and it is the ball itself that is being compressed... nothing to do with plating. 

Bottom line is that plating has 0 effect on ball speed - otherwise manufacturers would offer the one that provides the best result.

You need to remember that chrome plating is measured in microns...

Wan

Cheers Wan. Exactly the info I was looking for.

Go do it.Have had lots of raw wedges and hope to strip or sandblast a set of irons over next few years.

Had a set of Titleist 690cb's rawed last year. I haven't noticed much, if any, difference in feel or performance. They look way better though. lost about 2-3 grams in head weight

yeah its only a couple grams in head weight lost by stripping the chrome. Hell, it might increase your swing speed.

To OP, I would tend to agree with most others, maybe 5 grams tops.  What will make a difference is what all has to be stripped (some have different layers applied, I believe some older irons had nickle/copper/chrome - maybe the older Maxfli REV Blades?).  Also will make a huge difference if they are a well-used set that need some grinding/sanding to remove dings/bag chatter or get the faces milled flat again.  I've had a set stripped, then did some repair work on my own (sanding/polishing out the dings) and lost substantial weight,  but if you are just talking about removing the chrome it shouldn't be a large loss of weight, maybe 1-2 SW points.

No performance difference. Once they start to get a wear pattern, a simple spritz with some tap water mixed with sea salt makes them looked fully raw again.