Ferrule cleaning

[SpaldingBear2PW]

Hey team,

 

I just won this project set on ebay for $.99 ($20 shipping, go figure). Anyone have thoughts on the ferrules? I don't have them yet but I am hoping that is just adhesive residue from tape, in which case a simple “goof off” treatment will work- could it be something else, and if so, how should I fix?

Thanks!!

 

 

[swingman24]

That looks like dirt to me. Just a damp cloth should clean them up.

If you need, you can freshen up with a light rub of acetone on a rag.

[drumdude96]

I think that might be some sort of mold that gets on plastic. There were a bunch of tools in my basement that were my wife's grandfather's from a long time ago that had that stuff on them. I cleaned them up with some isopropyl alcohol and it worked like a charm.

[Socrates]

0000 steel wool with a solvent. Then re-acetone them.

These could have been exposed to some serious water for a while. I would pop off a grip and check the shafts for excess rust.

[SpaldingBear2PW]

Probably a good idea. The grips do need replacing anyway. Though my guess is that if that is water damage it would be a result of soaking the heads to soften the groove-mud.

[weavej1]

I would soap, water, soft plastic brush them...maybe goo gone...some car paste wax...all before any acetone. I would want to keep the serial # on them.

[Nessism]

I'd use polishing compound (or even toothpaste) on a piece of soft cloth and "shoe shine" them.

[SpaldingBear2PW]

> @weavej1 said:

> I would soap, water, soft plastic brush them...maybe goo gone...some car paste wax...all before any acetone. I would want to keep the serial # on them.

 

> @Nessism said:

> I'd use polishing compound (or even toothpaste) on a piece of soft cloth and "shoe shine" them.

 

I like the “start soft, get more aggressive until it works” approach. Goo-gone = goof-off essentially as well. Thanks for the ideas all, just waiting for the sticks to arrive now.

[SpaldingBear2PW]

So, the set came today. It is still inconclusive as to what exactly is the junk on the ferrules, but it is coming off with a fingernail scratch. I think I may have hit the “dirty clubs” bias eBay lottery on this one for $.99, even with shipping. Here is a side-by-side before and after:

 

The problem I am looking at now is that the ferrules are creeping ever so slightly on the shafts, leaving a hairline gap on some. Any suggestions on fixing this?

Hoping to hit Home Depot for some polishing wheels tomorrow as well.

Thanks!

[ProfessorDave]

If the ferrules are loose, they could creep up the shaft. But in my experience, it’s usually the head that is coming loose, causing the separation from the ferrule. I’d consider pulling the heads and reinstalling with new ferrules.

[SpaldingBear2PW]

They are pretty tight, though removing the club heads is probably a step further than i want to go here, and the ferrules are pretty distinctive on these. I’ll probably just live with it.

 

Thanks!!

[third-times-a-charm]

Acetone...

[Albatross85]

> @ProfessorDave said:

> If the ferrules are loose, they could creep up the shaft. But in my experience, it’s usually the head that is coming loose, causing the separation from the ferrule. I’d consider pulling the heads and reinstalling with new ferrules.

 

What? Heads dont creep off. If you cant twist the head with your hands then its the ferrule. Run the ferrules under hot tap water and slide them back down. You can add a dab of superglue or epoxy in between to keep them in place.

[Fellaheen51]

> @SpaldingBear2PW said:

> So, the set came today. It is still inconclusive as to what exactly is the junk on the ferrules, but it is coming off with a fingernail scratch. I think I may have hit the “dirty clubs” bias eBay lottery on this one for $.99, even with shipping. Here is a side-by-side before and after:

>

>

> The problem I am looking at now is that the ferrules are creeping ever so slightly on the shafts, leaving a hairline gap on some. Any suggestions on fixing this?

> Hoping to hit Home Depot for some polishing wheels tomorrow as well.

> Thanks!

 

See the "grungy" ferrules thing frequently on classic irons. The milky white residue. Don't have any idea why it occurs. Example were the ferrules on a set of Mac M85 Colokroms reissues I had. Cleaned them up with acetone and in a short time, the residue would begin to reappear. And I never played the clubs, they resided in the basement next to the workbench. Finally did what what Nessism suggested, used rubbing compound. Then a coat of automotive paste wax. The condition did not reappear after a couple of months, when I sold them off.

 

Creeping ferrules are also seen with regularity on older irons like your Staffs. They begin to separate from the top of the hosel, a small gap to a more pronounced separation. Never, ever seen a head coming loose. Easy fix that's been suggested in part. I use a pot of boiling water (taken off the heat source). Submerse the head/ ferrule for ten seconds. Softens the plastic, making it pliable. Then using a piece of old rubber grip, slit to go around the ferrule, slide it back into position. Let cool, then acetone to finish. You'll have to move them up some to add a dab of superglue before sliding back tight to the hosel. I don't bother unless it moves a second time.

 

Conversely, this process will work for saving vintage ferrules. Heat them up and slide them up the shaft as far as I can. Ideally, at least one inch. Then wrap with a strip of wet cloth. Heat the hosel and remove the shaft as one normally would. The ferrule is preserved, sliding it off the shaft tip. Persuaded with a big of heat from a heat gun set on low.

 

[ProfessorDave]

When epoxy fails the head can start to slip due to the force applied to the club when swung, and the ferrule will stay in place. Yes, a firm twist of the head will confirm this. So will measuring the club length, assuming you know the exact original measurement.

[SpaldingBear2PW]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

One or two of the ferrules are in less than stellar shape, anyone know where to find replacement/replica ferrules to match the others?

Thanks!!