Quick dry solvent

inKbSweTrust · May 3

I’m searching for an old method I was shown years ago, or rather the solvent.

One of the clubs I worked at about 10 years ago had a nice fitting and club repair operation. Solid equipment for most applications which was really nice. Didn’t get many opportunities outside of fitting operations to use that equipment. Anyways, a staff member took an order for new grips for a member to be ready the following day.

I came in the next morning to find the order incomplete and members tee time was in about 1.5 hours. I ran into the GM shortly after and he told me to hack the grips off quick and get the them re-taped. He showed up about 20 minutes later with what I believe was brake cleaner (pretty sure that was the case, looking for confirmation).

He told me to absolutely slather the tape and insides of the grips with it, because it evaporates so quickly. I did and threw the grips on. Couple were a bit of a struggle because they dried almost instantly. Was nice to have in a pinch.

Haven’t done it since, curious if anyone ever tried this. Thoughts?

st1800e · May 3

I haven’t, and I wouldn’t. Extremely hazardous. And breaks down the rubber in the grip fast.

taylorx300 · May 3

Some tour operations use MEK rather than mineral spirits due to its quick drying time

Greenie · May 3

Blow them on. Done deal and quick.

I usually use grip solvent and blow on my grips. The solvent makes it a little easier. I use this method when I know I can let the grips set over night. If I need something ready to go right away I blow them on dry.

Socrates · May 3

4 minutes ago, taylorx300 said:

Some tour operations use MEK rather than mineral spirits due to its quick drying time

I would be absolutely shocked if any Tour Van used MEK. Extremely flammable and hazardous to your health.

Socrates · May 3

29 minutes ago, inKbSweTrust said:

I’m searching for an old method I was shown years ago, or rather the solvent.

One of the clubs I worked at about 10 years ago had a nice fitting and club repair operation. Solid equipment for most applications which was really nice. Didn’t get many opportunities outside of fitting operations to use that equipment. Anyways, a staff member took an order for new grips for a member to be ready the following day.

I came in the next morning to find the order incomplete and members tee time was in about 1.5 hours. I ran into the GM shortly after and he told me to hack the grips off quick and get the them re-taped. He showed up about 20 minutes later with what I believe was brake cleaner (pretty sure that was the case, looking for confirmation).

He told me to absolutely slather the tape and insides of the grips with it, because it evaporates so quickly. I did and threw the grips on. Couple were a bit of a struggle because they dried almost instantly. Was nice to have in a pinch.

Haven’t done it since, curious if anyone ever tried this. Thoughts?

Anything that evaporates that quickly is likely either really bad for you or extremely flammable. Back in the day we used to use gasoline. Surprised that we never blew up or caught fire. Stick with mineral spirits or low odor paint thinner.

OSHA would be all over them. Especially in California which seems to have banned everything.

Edited May 3 by Socrates

AmateurAmateur · May 3

I reuse grip solvent I catch in a pan when installing some. After being reused 4-5 times I find it dries quite a bit faster than fresh solvent. Requires more of it each time it’s reused.

PJE · May 3

40 minutes ago, Socrates said:

… Back in the day we used to use gasoline. Surprised that we never blew up or caught fire. Stick with mineral spirits or low odor paint thinner…

This is so funny.
When I was a teenager, around 1980, I worked at a club as a helper/ shop assistant. In addition to handpicking the range, I gripped clubs.

Our Club Pro, a chain smoking alcoholic, gave me a tutorial on regripping with gas as the solvent and a lit cigarette hanging out of his mouth while we were inside this tiny, unventilated, closet. He finished with,

“ Don’t f*** it up kid.”
I liked working there because I could play all the free golf I wanted (except weekends) but even I, in my teenaged mind, thought it was a crazy situation with gas fumes in that closet. Ha ha!

subrew · May 3

2 hours ago, Socrates said:

I would be absolutely shocked if any Tour Van used MEK. Extremely flammable and hazardous to your health.

We know that now (and really, years ago) but I know guys who practically bathed in it during race cars repairs. Bought it by the case, and just swam in the stuff when cleaning brakes, wheel bearings, and just the in-between track sessions O&M of race cars. Had shelves specially built in their enclosed race car trailers to house the stuff.

Dirt bike guys too.

Ger21 · May 3

I recently installed a putter grip with brake cleaner, and would not recommend it. It worked, but almost melted the adhesive right off the tape, and made a gooey mess. And you have to work incredibly fast.
For decades, I've always used lacquer thinner, which dries pretty fast, but now I mostly use air to just blow them on.

denkea · May 5

Years ago (many years ago) I went through a club making facility and when we came to the gripping station I asked what solvent they were using. "Naphtha" was the answer. I've been using it ever since.

It does dry fast and at times it can be a bit disconcerting. Especially with some of the newer putter grips.