Changing grips with air

[Sp4zRX]

I am doing some length, swing weight, and head testing with my driver. Since I will be changing the grip a few times, I decided to try installing the grip with air instead of the conventional tape/solvent method. 
 

After installing with air, I can feel a slight wiggle at the end of the butt. I have tried ramming the grip as far as I can get it while I had the air pump running. I just can’t get it on any further. I also tried slamming the butt into the ground but no improvement. The grip is a GP MCC+4 standard grip. 
 

I did put a small bit of tape around the butt of the shaft to plug the hole (the tube of shaft). I don’t know if this is necessary but I imagined the air would otherwise go right down the shaft, rather than through the grip. 
 

Anyone else have trouble getting the grip to sit flush while using air? Any tips to help me improve my method?

[03trdblack]

Try putting a few layers of build up tape underneath the butt end so that it better fills the gap at the end of the grip.  You can also spray a little Hairspray onto the end of the shaft before you put the grip on and it will make it a little stickier once it dries. 

[Route 66]

This is probably a little off point to the OP's question.  But, I am curious why a lot of OEMs use the tape and solvent method to put on grips versus using air.  Obviously, this method is more costly from a material and labor perspective than using air would be.  

[sui generis]

57 minutes ago, Route 66 said:

I am curious why a lot of OEMs use the tape and solvent method to put on grips versus using air. 

 

They OEMs have learned long ago what many hobbyists learn the hard way. Sooner or later without the adhesive the grips will slip or twist. No OEM and no legitimate repair shop uses air. Garage-boy have at it, but it's a poor way to do the work.

[taki27]

I'm an air guy for my own grips because I love to tinker, but for friends and family it's adhesive tape.  It's one thing if my grip twists a little (which is rare but does happen) but embarrassing if it happens for someone else.

[Greenie]

I've been blowing on grips for at least 10 years. The only problem I ever had was when I bought some cheap grips on Ebay and they slipped. Some of them slipped after I used tape amd solvent after the reinstall. I did learn the hard way not to buy cheap grips.

Blowing on grips has saved me a ton of money over the years without any other problems. I not sure what I am suppose to learn being a garage boy grip installer besides the money I have saved and the convenience of changing grips at ease without destroying them.                               As far as an OEM I would definitely use tape and solvent.  That eliminates any possibility of a grip slipping. 

 

 

[Sp4zRX]

I ordered some Pure grips. They are designed with air installation in mind. I don’t know that they will really be any different but I’ve always wanted to try them. I guess this experiment is as good a reason as any to try them out. 

[Greenie]

1 hour ago, Sp4zRX said:

I ordered some Pure grips. They are designed with air installation in mind. I don’t know that they will really be any different but I’ve always wanted to try them. I guess this experiment is as good a reason as any to try them out. 

I have a set of P ure grips. I believe they our designed to put them on the shaft bare. I could be wrong though.

 

Since all my clubs are prepped with masking tape to blow on my grips I blew them on over my tape. They work fine like that. I rotate my grips based on the seasons and the Pure grips are in my rotation. They are nice and tacky.

[Port and Starboard]

Don't forget that the MCC+4 are cord grips. 

 

The imbedded cord (string) bond to the rubber can start breaking with too many installs & removals.

 

I generally only use tape on the first 1 1/2" of the butt end on initial installs, but If I am reusing a cord grip, I tape the entire grip length because they feel a bit sloppy the second time around without it.

 

Just my experience anyways.

 

 

Edited June 3, 2023 by Port and Starboard
info

[Route 66]

12 hours ago, sui generis said:

 

They OEMs have learned long ago what many hobbyists learn the hard way. Sooner or later without the adhesive the grips will slip or twist. No OEM and no legitimate repair shop uses air. Garage-boy have at it, but it's a poor way to do the work.

Thanks - you answered my question.  I have always used tape and solvent, but was considering using air since I have never tried it.  I think I'll just continue to use the method that has worked well for me (and obviously OEMs) for many years.

[teedub21]

10 hours ago, Greenie said:

I have a set of P ure grips. I believe they our designed to put them on the shaft bare. I could be wrong though.

 

Since all my clubs are prepped with masking tape to blow on my grips I blew them on over my tape. They work fine like that. I rotate my grips based on the seasons and the Pure grips are in my rotation. They are nice and tacky.

I’ve used Pure grips for a few years now. I have a couple wedges I put some painters tape on to build up the grip and the grips have twisted a bit.  On bare steel shafts they stick like glue.

[Greenie]

50 minutes ago, teedub21 said:

I’ve used Pure grips for a few years now. I have a couple wedges I put some painters tape on to build up the grip and the grips have twisted a bit.  On bare steel shafts they stick like glue.

 

I use blue painters too for build up. I have always topped the blue painters tape off with masking tape I have. The masking tape I use is a little tacky on the top side probably because it is so old. 

 

I guess I have been lucky for the most part not having any issues with slipping, twisting grips.

[SEP1006]

17 hours ago, sui generis said:

 

They OEMs have learned long ago what many hobbyists learn the hard way. Sooner or later without the adhesive the grips will slip or twist. No OEM and no legitimate repair shop uses air. Garage-boy have at it, but it's a poor way to do the work.

 

 

Been using air to install/remove my grips and my buddies for almost 10 years. In all that time may have had 2 or 3 grips twist just a hair. I use the medical tape ( like they wrap ankles with ) and soap/water to install. You don't need ANY ADHESIVE or solvent at all.

 

 

[rbpwrx]

I've been using air for at least a decade. Never had a grip twist. I use StarGrips exclusively (they are pretty damn tacky, so maybe that why no slip).

Re: OP's question:

1/ Blow it off and on a couple times. You should be able to get it to seat properly;

2/ BEFORE you blow it on, hold the grip against the shaft to know how far down it should go. Apply regular masking tape to the shaft for the full length of the grip (stop 1/4" shy of the grip end);

3/ If you are installing extra wraps anywhere, put them UNDER the lengthwise tape;

4/ The tape MUST cover the end of the shaft; make sure the shaft end is fully de-burred with nothing sharp to catch the inside of the grip;

5/ Use a blower nozzle degined to install grips; this will allow you to push the grip on more forcefully; StarGrip makes one, but there are others;

6/ As you blow and push the grip on, stretch it down the shaft with your other hand; make sure it gets beyond the tape you pre-applied;

7/ I've never used soap (suggested above), but that may ease installation; my only concern would be that it would allow the grip to shift more easily; if so, blow it off and rinse shaft end and grip inside with water, reinstall.

That's the great thing about using air - you NEVER have to waste another grip! Not to mention time, solvent, your lungs, etc.

Good luck!

[shaolingolfer]

Can I use air to install superstroke putter grip?

[SEP1006]

8 hours ago, shaolingolfer said:

Can I use air to install superstroke putter grip?

 

Yes, I have before as well as a Jumbomax 17" Flat Armlock putter grip.

 

Don't know what pressure your compressor has but when I did these I used 75 psi. Both went on very easily. Also I didn't use any tape with either of these and no slippage.

 

 

[Sp4zRX]

11 hours ago, rbpwrx said:

I've been using air for at least a decade. Never had a grip twist. I use StarGrips exclusively (they are pretty damn tacky, so maybe that why no slip).

Re: OP's question:

1/ Blow it off and on a couple times. You should be able to get it to seat properly;

2/ BEFORE you blow it on, hold the grip against the shaft to know how far down it should go. Apply regular masking tape to the shaft for the full length of the grip (stop 1/4" shy of the grip end);

3/ If you are installing extra wraps anywhere, put them UNDER the lengthwise tape;

4/ The tape MUST cover the end of the shaft; make sure the shaft end is fully de-burred with nothing sharp to catch the inside of the grip;

5/ Use a blower nozzle degined to install grips; this will allow you to push the grip on more forcefully; StarGrip makes one, but there are others;

6/ As you blow and push the grip on, stretch it down the shaft with your other hand; make sure it gets beyond the tape you pre-applied;

7/ I've never used soap (suggested above), but that may ease installation; my only concern would be that it would allow the grip to shift more easily; if so, blow it off and rinse shaft end and grip inside with water, reinstall.

That's the great thing about using air - you NEVER have to waste another grip! Not to mention time, solvent, your lungs, etc.

Good luck!

That is very helpful, thank you!