club refinishing & care ... how to add shine & luster to a flat satin finish?

AlohaMarine · April 22, 2017

I apologize if there has been a post directly addressing this question/issue. I've tirelessly scraped through dozens of forums on "how-to" re-finish irons, but it seems that most have addressed removing the chrome finish to achieve a brushed or satin finish ...

I currently have the Mizuno JPX900 Forged irons. As many of you might already know, these particular clubs have a flat satin finish. I bought these because I couldn't ignore the optimal performance results ... BUT as for the "look", I actually PREFER A NICE SHINE/LUSTER TO MY IRONS.

Does ANYONE HAVE EXPERIENCE, TIPS, PROVEN RESULTS TO ASSIST ME IN ACHIEVING THE DESIRED LOOK ... REFINISHING THESE CLUBHEADS BY ADDING MORE OF A SHINE/LUSTER TO THESE FLAT SATIN FINISH CLUBS, without sending them to The Iron Works to have them chromed or nickeled, etc. ?

I have a variety of tools/accessories at my disposal (dremel, sand paper & buffing attachments, 000 & 0000 steel wool, scotchbrite pads, variety of metal and chrome polishes, etc.), but I really would love to solicit your experiences and proven wisdom so I can do it right from beginning to end.

Thanks in advance & Semper Fi

Des

Ps. Please feel free to post photos (before/after), DIY club refinishing/enhancement website URLs ...

ckay · April 22, 2017

You will kill resale on them. And if you're on WRX at some point you will think about resale.

As far as getting them to shine, forget the handtool stuff. You will need a bench grinder with a buffing wheel and some compounds.

AlohaMarine · April 22, 2017

ckay,

I'm not really concerned with resale or trade-in value. I do have a bench grinder and a few different wheels.

• Do you have recommendations on type of compounds by chance?

• Have you seen this type of process completed successfully?

• Are you aware of or know of any other ideas/processes to consider prior to applying a compound and buffing away?

Thanks ckay!

ckay · April 23, 2017

Check out this link. It is a timely process so be patient. I've done a lot of metal finishing when it came to high luster finishes. Spend some time to research it and a little trial and error.

https://www.pjtool.com/jewelers-rouge-chart/

Nessism · April 23, 2017

Check out this link. It is a timely process so be patient. I've done a lot of metal finishing when it came to high luster finishes. Spend some time to research it and a little trial and error.

https://www.pjtool.c...rs-rouge-chart/

The type of wheel used matters too. That link has some good info.

Red rouge and a sewn wheel would seem to be appropriate. Bear down too hard while buffing and you could burn through the chrome though.

Just my opinion but I don't think it's worth it. Any buffing you do will remove material and that's not good if durability matters to you.

AlohaMarine · April 24, 2017

The Mizuno JPX900's aren't chromed. They're the flat--or matte satin finish. I believe they're stainless (boron infused) clubheads ......

Nessism · April 25, 2017

The Mizuno JPX900's aren't chromed. They're the flat--or matte satin finish. I believe they're stainless (boron infused) clubheads ......

Incorrect. 900 Forged are made from some sort of carbon steel 1025 alloy that has boron in the mix. They are not stainless steel and they are chrome plated. The Hot Metal version JPX 900 are also chrome plated, only the base head is cast from 4140 alloy steel.

If you buff on these heads hard you will burn through the chrome layer. Be careful.

AlohaMarine · April 25, 2017

Nessism,

Thanks so much for you help! I just assumed that they were not "chromed" due to the flat matte finish, versus the typical high sheen shine.

With that being said, do you have any thoughts/experience about how I can "polish" or "buff shine" these? I just want a bit more shine than the dull matte finish--if that makes sense?

If you have recommendations as to viewing websites, contacting someone, products that will achieve my desired look without destroying the club, PLEASE let me know.

Thankyou in advance for anything you're able to extend.

AlohaMarine

Nessism · April 25, 2017

Do a google search on buffing stuff and watch some videos. There isn't all that much too it. Just mount up the appropriate wheel in your buffer, smear on some compound, and have at it. Wear gloves because the part will get hot. Go slow and see how much force is needed to get the shine you like. Again though, the more buffing you do the more chrome will be removed so go easy.