Santa Fe - needs tlc

[JDuckett]

Came about this SC Santa Fe terylium via trade. It’s a rust pit. But it is still an amazing OG Scotty. Looking for any recommendations on putter refurbishing companies. Only problem I’m running into is 10-15 week lead times so far. 
Anyone have gone thru the process before? Any recommendations are greatly appreciated

[btyh]

Embrace, BOS, norcal. Patience is key for restos.

[drza3]

I used BOS and was really happy. They seemed quicker than others but not sure that is still the case 

[shart6]

Same advice I give everybody. Bend it to your specs, put the grip of your choice on it and play it as is.

[14max]

BOS should be your first pick...

[cardia10]

On 1/22/2022 at 6:52 PM, 14max said:

BOS should be your first pick...

 

Exactly this! They did the original finish on these for Cameron and their prices are great!

[nitram]

On 1/22/2022 at 1:14 PM, shart6 said:

Same advice I give everybody. Bend it to your specs, put the grip of your choice on it and play it as is.

It gives it character and you can use whatever story you want. Secondly (and probably more important), you don't have to worry about messing it up. I played (and still have) the exact model you're displaying here. The ONLY drawback was trying to keep it clean and dry.

[T-MAC]

As others have mentioned, BOS is the way to go.  They did the original finish on these back in the day and they still offer the original, shiny black oxide finish (Scotty's Custom Shop does not).
Not sure if you want to game it, but because of the condition it looks to be in you will probably lose some weight on it and these are already pretty light by today's standards (around 330g).
Thing is, when you get these back from BOS they look so nice that you may not want to put it in play.
Good luck!

[Abh159]

9 minutes ago, T-MAC said:

As others have mentioned, BOS is the way to go.  They did the original finish on these back in the day and they still offer the original, shiny black oxide finish (Scotty's Custom Shop does not).
Not sure if you want to game it, but because of the condition it looks to be in you will probably lose some weight on it and these are already pretty light by today's standards (around 330g).
Thing is, when you get these back from BOS they look so nice that you may not want to put it in play.
Good luck!

 

I have this exact putter (got it in 2002), and this is the main reason I've never sent mine off to be refinished. Mine is in pretty good shape considering it's age, but I already have it loaded down with lead tape so the thought of it being lighter than it already is isn't an attractive option.

[JDuckett]

I suck. Completely  forgot to update the thread with the final results. BOS got it back to me under 3 weeks time. Did a great job polishing the insert and with the new finish overall. I did have the pistol grip professionally removed and installed a SS Flatso 3.0. Turned out great! 

[cardia10]

On 3/10/2022 at 4:59 PM, JDuckett said:

I suck. Completely  forgot to update the thread with the final results. BOS got it back to me under 3 weeks time. Did a great job polishing the insert and with the new finish overall. I did have the pistol grip professionally removed and installed a SS Flatso 3.0. Turned out great! 

BOS always produces amazing results at 1/3-1/4 of the custom shop, plus they did the original finish on these. 

[Abh159]

On 3/10/2022 at 3:59 PM, JDuckett said:

I suck. Completely  forgot to update the thread with the final results. BOS got it back to me under 3 weeks time. Did a great job polishing the insert and with the new finish overall. I did have the pistol grip professionally removed and installed a SS Flatso 3.0. Turned out great! 

 

How much weight did you lose from the head from the refinish? I've got the same putter (although it looks 100X better than yours did originally 🤣), and I've considered sending it to BOS.

 

My hesitation though has always been that I'll lose a fair amount of weight on a putter that is already super light by today's standards. 

[oneaugusta]

BOS does great work but they also use grinders and belt sanders to do a quicker refinish which results in more weight loss.  It is possible to hand sand and hand file to lose minimal weight. 

 

I have found it works very well on the older Camerons to add a 10 gram brass tip weight in side the tip of the shaft, makes them feel way better.

[Tupperwolf]

That's insane that is the same putter posted above!  Great work. 

[JDuckett]

@Abh159 - Just going through my thread after I completely forgot about it... I rolled it beforehand and it was quite light. Weighed it at 327 g after I removed the head. After BOS had it, I weighed the head again before re-shafting. It was at 331 g. With the pistol grip removed and the SS 3.0 install, it felt dramatically heavier, but the insert felt dramatically better after the refurb. Before it was almost a dead feeling. Afterwards, any hit dead center felt like it was exploding off the face. Complete 180. 

Depending on how you like the feel of your current gamer would determine to go ahead and refurbish or not. If you feel the face / insert is getting a little deadpan / sluggish feeling, then I would say go for it. If not, and it would be strictly for looks, I would suggest not. You can always clean off rust and use gun blue or any other re-surfacing oil to clean up the look and keep the same feel.