Embrace vs Norcal Putters refinish. NP2 2008. Before & After pics inside / *update

[larciel]

I sent two old NP2 to each refinishers to compare the results. Here are the pics and my take on them.

 

1. Embrace Putters.

 

Before

 

After

 

 

What I saw to choose the color (from their website)

 

 

Turnaround time was promised 8-12 weeks. I received it back in 9th week. 

First time, the refinish did not remove all of the dings, EP offered to re-do it for free. It was a pleasant surprise and excellent customer service. But it took another 8-10 weeks.

 

I say the result I received was very close to their model picture. I also liked the face milling. (Med)

 

 

 

 

2. Norcal Putters

 

Before

 

 

 

 

Turnaround time. 8-12 weeks promised. Got it back on 11th week.

 

Pictures show more damage/dings on this one than the first one. But it was pretty similar.  I feel removing the dings and scratches were better from the Norcal. But I don't think the finish resembled the picture on their website. I was very disappointed. 

Face milling was little too deep (Med) and gold paint color fills were not as smooth as Embrace.

 

Customer service response times were both great. I hope these pictures can help someone choosing the company to refinish.

 

 

 

*UPDATE*

 

Talked to NorCal after sending in pictures of my putter with concern about the finish.

 

Was told

1. Super Rat pictured above has premium steel so the finish would look different on my NP.  I told him I disagree.

2. Finish would look different on every putter because of material. They cannot guarantee the same finish.  OK.

3. Kept saying unnecessary run-around so I asked directly if they can re-do the finish, and they declined because it would be 'alot of work' to take off the refinish and do the finish again.

 

At the end of the day, the putter finish was not 'defective', it's just very poor quality and given how well EP's finish came out (and EP even did the refinish for FREE) , I know where to give my business now.

 

 

 

Edited October 6, 2022 by larciel

[MattM97]

That paint is extremely sloppy by NorCal. 

[5hort5tuff]

Embrace does amazing work. Why didn't they touch up the paint in the weights though? Regardless I love their stuff and the finish looks awesome

 

The norcal one...man that looks bad. It truly looks like someone tried to refinish it at home.  The the finish already looks faded and the paint is pretty sloppy. 

 

Sorry to see that happen man.

[larciel]

1 hour ago, 5hort5tuff said:

Embrace does amazing work. Why didn't they touch up the paint in the weights though? Regardless I love their stuff and the finish looks awesome

 

The norcal one...man that looks bad. It truly looks like someone tried to refinish it at home.  The the finish already looks faded and the paint is pretty sloppy. 

 

Sorry to see that happen man.

It wasn't EPs fault. After I received it, a dumb club fitter used heat gun near the area so all the paints got destroyed.  EP fixed most of it for free.

 

For the norcal. I was pretty disappointed but wasn't sure if they can re-do it or not. 

[Bsch189]

These two dudes use the same company for pvd finish work. The company is called Richter Precision Inc and they charge $25 per head. This will add to your estimated turnaround, but 8 weeks for a refinish isn’t bad.

 

Metallic paint fill tend to dry unevenly in cold conditions, this is where you see wrinkles and/or different shades of the color.

 

Also these dudes fiddle with photo filters, so don’t assume number 10 on the menu matches the outcome on your putter.

[larciel]

1 hour ago, Bsch189 said:

These two dudes use the same company for pvd finish work. The company is called Richter Precision Inc and they charge $25 per head. This will add to your estimated turnaround, but 8 weeks for a refinish isn’t bad.

 

Metallic paint fill tend to dry unevenly in cold conditions, this is where you see wrinkles and/or different shades of the color.

 

Also these dudes fiddle with photo filters, so don’t assume number 10 on the menu matches the outcome on your putter.

Wow. That's quite a margin. 

[5hort5tuff]

I know that some PVDs and coatings are quite cheap...regardless all these companies charge relatively similar amounts for refinished. There is more to a refinish than just the finish application. Some putters need a ton of prep work. Unfortunately, whether the putter is clean with no prep needed or not, the price starts around $200.

[larciel]

*UPDATE*

 

Talked to NorCal after sending in pictures of my putter with concern about the finish.

 

Was told

1. Super Rat pictured above has premium steel so the finish would look different on my NP.  I told him I disagree.

2. Finish would look different on every putter because of material. They cannot guarantee the same finish.  OK.

3. Kept saying unnecessary run-around so I asked directly if they can re-do the finish, and they declined because it would be 'alot of work' to take off the refinish and do the finish again.

 

At the end of the day, the putter finish was not 'defective', it's just very poor quality and given how well EP's finish came out (and EP even did the refinish for FREE) , I know where to give my business now.

[AmateurAmateur]

I sent a putter into Embrace around this time last year for a Welded plumbers neck. The quality of the work was exceptional. The only two things I'd have clarified on are the lie angle (asked for 68 and received 73) and the weights I sent in with the putter weren't returned. Kind of annoying because they likely got resold for someone else, but can't knock the quality of the work- they nailed it. 

[luke1333]

On 10/6/2022 at 1:48 PM, larciel said:

*UPDATE*

 

Talked to NorCal after sending in pictures of my putter with concern about the finish.

 

Was told

1. Super Rat pictured above has premium steel so the finish would look different on my NP.  I told him I disagree.

2. Finish would look different on every putter because of material. They cannot guarantee the same finish.  OK.

3. Kept saying unnecessary run-around so I asked directly if they can re-do the finish, and they declined because it would be 'alot of work' to take off the refinish and do the finish again.

 

At the end of the day, the putter finish was not 'defective', it's just very poor quality and given how well EP's finish came out (and EP even did the refinish for FREE) , I know where to give my business now.

I sent a golo to norcal years ago and had pretty much same experience. Poor work and lot of excuses.

 

Embrace is definitely the place to go for sure!!