Cleveland Milled TA2 Finish question

[PopeofTexas]

Hi Guys - Just picked up a Cleveland Milled TA2 I'm excited to try as I've recently become enamored by long necks. Can anyone tell what is going on with the finish on this? I understand these are carbon and were originally finished in melonite but I don't know much about putter finishes at all. Part of me thinks it looks awesome as is but I also may send it to BOS for a refinish. Any knowledge or suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

 

 

[SUITS]

Just raw steel oxidizing and rusting. Soak it in white vinegar or CLR, cleans right up. 

[PopeofTexas]

1 hour ago, SUITS said:

Just raw steel oxidizing and rusting. Soak it in white vinegar or CLR, cleans right up. 

Any harm in leaving it unfinished? Is it more susceptible to rust or being damaged?

[SUITS]

It will look the same when exposed to the elements. You can keep it coated in oil to prevent further rust

[PopeofTexas]

thanks!

[Hammer_Hands]

3 hours ago, PopeofTexas said:

Hi Guys - Just picked up a Cleveland Milled TA2 I'm excited to try as I've recently become enamored by long necks. Can anyone tell what is going on with the finish on this? I understand these are carbon and were originally finished in melonite but I don't know much about putter finishes at all. Part of me thinks it looks awesome as is but I also may send it to BOS for a refinish. Any knowledge or suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

 

 

It's trashed.  Just send it to me and I'll dispose of it for you.

[weakputt]

I have had all four of the TA Milled putters. The dark Gun Blue Melanite finish looks awesome.

The putter is well worth sending to BOS. The putter would look good in a black oxide finish.

I like my TA1 putter better than my 1998 Cameron Newport.

You could keep it raw, but you will have maintenance every time you use it. And getting all of the fertilizers chemicals off the bare metal is not easy.

Long neck putters are getting harder and harder to find and worth some additional investment in my opinion.

[PopeofTexas]

29 minutes ago, weakputt said:

I have had all four of the TA Milled putters. The dark Gun Blue Melanite finish looks awesome.

The putter is well worth sending to BOS. The putter would look good in a black oxide finish.

I like my TA1 putter better than my 1998 Cameron Newport.

You could keep it raw, but you will have maintenance every time you use it. And getting all of the fertilizers chemicals off the bare metal is not easy.

Long neck putters are getting harder and harder to find and worth some additional investment in my opinion.

 

Appreciate the response! Those are some gorgeous putters you have pictured. I think you are right, given I have very little knowledge of how to care for a putter other than trying to keep it dry I should send it in for a refinish. I do take care of my clubs but this will be a new experience. I plan to get a silicone rag to use after I play and I hope that will help maintain the finish.

[Ger21]

On 3/2/2023 at 4:10 PM, PopeofTexas said:

I plan to get a silicone rag to use after I play and I hope that will help maintain the finish.

You need to make sure you wipe it down EVERY time you use it, and don't put it in a headcover is it's wet at all. It will rust the first time you fail to take care of it.

[PopeofTexas]

Had the head pulled to send off to BOS. For anyone curious it weighs 331 grams. Couple of questions for @weakputtand others: Should I have them do a light remill? Face is smooth now. What are your thoughts on paintfill? White or off-white?

 

[weakputt]

2 hours ago, PopeofTexas said:

Had the head pulled to send off to BOS. For anyone curious it weighs 331 grams. Couple of questions for @weakputtand others: Should I have them do a light remill? Face is smooth now. What are your thoughts on paintfill? White or off-white?

 

I would have them give the face a light fly milling.

If you go with a dark finish, like gun metal or black oxide, I would stick to the stock paint fill. White & gold.

[jholz]

Super cool find. I do love me some Cleveland.

Whatever you do with it - finish/milling wise - I hope you put that sucker in play.

 

Much respect!

[PopeofTexas]

Thanks guys. Sent this off to BOS yesterday. I'll post pics once I get it back. Now trying to source a grip similar to the original Cleveland grip for the reinstall.

[Chappie]

Excited to see the finished product! I've had that putter for about 15 years now, maybe just under, and it was my gamer for more of the time than not. Absolutely lovely feel, sets up beautifully, and is a nice changeup from what you'd normally find in most people's bags. I've always wanted to remove the sight line, but at the same time I appreciate the design of the putter so much and they're so hard to find these days, I can't bring myself to do it. I'd love to find the short neck copper insert version to add to my collection as well. I bet that thing feels delightful. 

[Chappie]

My trio of gamers:

 

[PopeofTexas]

3 minutes ago, Chappie said:

My trio of gamers:

 

3 very cool putters. I've had that Nike putter but had to get rid of it because it wasn't pristine like yours and I didn't want to refinish it with the RZN on the face. Is that a John Byron Dale Head Long Neck? How do you like that one?

 

[Chappie]

48 minutes ago, PopeofTexas said:

 

The Byron was the gamer I went with when I wasn't feeling the TA-2 for a long time. It actually has some milling marks on the front and was re-finished in this very durable style, which on the whole works really well. I am a big fan of no alignment aids, so it works really well. It's a hair longer than the TA-2, which I thought was good for when I started feeling like I was getting out of posture too much.

 

The Method just rolls the ball pure, feels better than any insert putter I've ever used, and looks fantastic at address. I got it new from Dallas Golf when they bought up a bunch of these left-over Oven and tour adjacent heads. I really have a hard time knocking it out of the bag these days, even though sometimes I really want to. The TA-2 and Byron both have made a lot of big putts for me and I have real affection for them, but the Method is just stupidly consistent. 

[PopeofTexas]

So I heard back from BOS and they are saying the splotchiness on the putter is pitting and they will remove what they can but it will likely still show through the shiny black finish. I'm not sure if I want to go through with the refurb investment if it doesn't look nearly perfect when done. I am leaning towards just having them return it to me and just sell it for close to what I paid and hunt for another one in better condition. Any thoughts guys?

[weakputt]

21 minutes ago, PopeofTexas said:

So I heard back from BOS and they are saying the splotchiness on the putter is pitting and they will remove what they can but it will likely still show through the shiny black finish. I'm not sure if I want to go through with the refurb investment if it doesn't look nearly perfect when done. I am leaning towards just having them return it to me and just sell it for close to what I paid and hunt for another one in better condition. Any thoughts guys?

FYI, there are two Cleveland TA Milled 2 putters on eBay right now. i probably would have bought one except they are both Listed by the same Seller only they are from Japan. And I do not buy anything from Japan.

Like $110.00 plus shipping.

[PopeofTexas]

20 minutes ago, weakputt said:

FYI, there are two Cleveland TA Milled 2 putters on eBay right now. i probably would have bought one except they are both Listed by the same Seller only they are from Japan. And I do not buy anything from Japan.

Like $110.00 plus shipping.

 

I've bought watches from Japan but this will be my first putter. Pulled the trigger on one of these that looked to be in awesome condition. I'm going to have BOS send back the head and will try to make my money back. Hopefully someone on BST will want it.

[Chappie]

On 3/14/2023 at 2:50 PM, PopeofTexas said:

So I heard back from BOS and they are saying the splotchiness on the putter is pitting and they will remove what they can but it will likely still show through the shiny black finish. I'm not sure if I want to go through with the refurb investment if it doesn't look nearly perfect when done. I am leaning towards just having them return it to me and just sell it for close to what I paid and hunt for another one in better condition. Any thoughts guys?

 

To be honest, I'd keep it and game it. It'll be cool to let it patina.

[PopeofTexas]

Received the TA2 Back from BOS today. I went with the Matte Patina finish and I’m very happy with how it came out. Now I need to shaft it up and put it in play. Here’s some poor quality pics of the result. 
 

[KC13]

On 4/6/2023 at 6:35 PM, PopeofTexas said:

Received the TA2 Back from BOS today. I went with the Matte Patina finish and I’m very happy with how it came out. Now I need to shaft it up and put it in play. Here’s some poor quality pics of the result. 
 

Looks great!  What was the refinish cost on this if you don't mind me asking?

 

Edit:  I just picked one up but in rough shape.    

 

- KC 

Edited January 5 by KC13

[PopeofTexas]

1 hour ago, KC13 said:

Looks great!  What was the refinish cost on this if you don't mind me asking?

 

Edit:  I just picked one up but in rough shape.    

 

- KC 

 

I'll pm you, not sure about protocol on price talk.

 

Chris