Do-It-Yourself Putter Refinishing

[amajeski]

Pics and tips on how I got it done

I'm a sucker for the feel of an unplated carbon steel putter and there is nothing I enjoy more than picking up an old beater Cameron for a nice price. I just recently relocated to Wisconsin for the summer and was lucky enough to pick up 3 fantastic putters at a local golf shop, for a little more than a song. Two of them were models I've always wanted and the last was too good to pass up. The only problem... the finishes on them were pretty much shot and they were all lightly rusting in spots... but I took care of that in a hurry and you can do it too.

NOTE - This ONLY works on unplated carbon steel. Anything plated or stainless will NOT work.

Things you wll need:
1. 2 Liter of Coke or Naval Jelly - This removes the remainder of the old finish and the rust. You need to start with a clean and smooth bare metal surface.
2. A butane microtorch - This is needed to heat the putter in the finish application
3. Birchwood Casey Plum Brown Barrel Finish - Gives a chocolate color
-you can also use Birchwood Casey Gun Blue or Super Blue - These give a flat blue/black color and don't require heating of the metal



What you need to do:
1. Soak the putter in coke for an hour or so, then rinse and scrub down to be sure the old finish is removed.
2. Heat the putter with the torch. The plum brown requires the putter to be hot enough to make water sizzle (about 275*) and it will take aobut 10 minutes to get the putter there. Do not apply heat directly to the shaft attachment - let the metal conduct heat there. Otherwise, you will break the epoxy bond and have to add reinstalling the shaft to the "to do" list.
3. Apply the Plum Brown finish with a rag or paper towell.
4. Let the putter cool for 5-10 minutes and rinse with water.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 until the finish is as even and dark as you would like.
6. Apply a coat of baby oil - It protects the putter from rust and removes the chalky look that the putter will have immediately after applying the finish.

The results:





Can't argue with professional results and a price that's nice :vava:

[ErichZF]

I've used that Brown finish before alittle over a year ago. Its just as easy to buy the Blue Off and just use that to strip it.

 

I just did a putter the other day. I couldnt get it hot enough because I dont want to repaint the head. It came out OK. Has a worn look on it.

 

I do like the Brown look.

 

Anybody know what paint Scotty Uses? Just apply and wipe. Would like to repaint a few putters.

 

Cheers,

 

Erich

[pitbull808]

Nice job! :vava: I've read a lot about doing this, but I never heard about heating up the putter. Looks great and the finish looks like it will hold up pretty well.

[amajeski]

Nice job! :vava:  I've read a lot about doing this, but I never heard about heating up the putter.  Looks great and the finish looks like it will hold up pretty well.

14692[/snapback]

 

It depends on the type of finsh you buy... The gun blue/super blue finish is just a wipe on with no heat. The plum brown however, required the head to be heated first. (This is all from the directions on the containers)

 

Also, I did have to repaint the white text on the putters because the finish discolored it a bit. I used Testors enamel model paint and it couldn't have been easier. I dabbed it in the lettering with a Q-Tip and let it completely dry. Then I took a paper towell dipped in a little thinner and wiped over the surface to remove the paint that spilled outside the stamping.

[stickman]

WOW NICE POST TO BAD MY SCOTTTY IS STAINLESS STEEL. .

[WFUGolfer15]

Alrighty I have this putter and really really really want a gun blue finish done on it. Is there anyway that IF i use Birchwood Casey Gun Blue or Super Blue that my putter will come out alright. If i still do it what will happen to my putter?

[Cameron Circle T]

Absolutely nothing. That putter is stainles steel...it is not a porous enough metal to absorb the gun blueing. In order to get a black finish on the putter you would have to use an electrically charged finishing process that guys like slighter and colbert use. You can heat your putter, dip it in the birchwood casey, pull it out and it wont look any different. You have to use a putter that is comprised of more carbon than stainless steel is in order for the metal to be porous enough to allow the blueing agent to absorb and bond.

[WFUGolfer15]

Well looks like its time to go putter shopping !!!

 

 

Anyone know where i can get a studio designed scotty at?

[bbslurp413]

I picked up a studio designed 2 last week at golfsmith used for 55 bucks. It was a conservatie 8 out of 10. It's my first scotty and I must admit and this hurts to do, it has amazing feel.

[pitbull808]

I figured I'd bump this old thread back up to the top since the OP Amajeski might be interested in what happened to his putter. I also figured it would be interesting to follow a putter through three owners.

 

Amajeski sold his JAT to pmhacker/Russ...who happens to be a friend of mines. Russ putted with it but decided to stick to his Del Mar 3.5. Since he had it sitting around, he decided to strip the Plum Brown finish and take it to our friend Carl to gun blue it. Now anyone can do gun blue but Russ and I both agree, the way Carl does it is a whole lot better then how we do it. I guess Carls a ton more meticulous and anal then we are. ;)

 

After Russ had it gun blued it, he had it sitting around when another one of our friends Ernie/deptwo was looking for a putter. Ernie bought Russ's putter and after using it a few times, it quickly became his "gamer". While playing a round with Ernie the other week, I suggested he give it to me for some "freshining" and paintfill. He agreed that the white T line would probably help and decided to leave the rest up to me.

 

I took his JAT home, used a bit of 0000 steel wool and gun blue to freshen up the sole and a few other wear areas. I decided to keep the paintfill simple as I always thought the yellow was a bit too much on my JAT.

 

Here's the finish product, freshened, paint filled, and oiled down.

 

YO Amajeski...you missing this putter yet??? :friends:

 

[pm hacker]

I figured I'd bump this old thread back up to the top since the OP Amajeski might be interested in what happened to his putter. I also figured it would be interesting to follow a putter through three owners.

 

Amajeski sold his JAT to pmhacker/Russ...who happens to be a friend of mines. Russ putted with it but decided to stick to his Del Mar 3.5. Since he had it sitting around, he decided to strip the Plum Brown finish and take it to our friend Carl to gun blue it. Now anyone can do gun blue but Russ and I both agree, the way Carl does it is a whole lot better then how we do it. I guess Carls a ton more meticulous and anal then we are. :)

 

After Russ had it gun blued it, he had it sitting around when another one of our friends Ernie/deptwo was looking for a putter. Ernie bought Russ's putter and after using it a few times, it quickly became his "gamer". While playing a round with Ernie the other week, I suggested he give it to me for some "freshining" and paintfill. He agreed that the white T line would probably help and decided to leave the rest up to me.

 

I took his JAT home, used a bit of 0000 steel wool and gun blue to freshen up the sole and a few other wear areas. I decided to keep the paintfill simple as I always thought the yellow was a bit too much on my JAT.

 

Here's the finish product, freshened, paint filled, and oiled down.

 

YO Amajeski...you missing this putter yet??? :)

 

 

 

Hey Reid-)....Very nice job on the paintfill and touch-up. ;) If Amajeski isn't missing it...I can honestly say that I sure do :friends:

[Geo]

The work is flawless, but I don't know. I really liked the plum brown finish a lot. Looked 10X better in person than in pictures. I guess I figure if I wanted a "normal" looking JAT, I'd just steal Reid's. ;)

[bgolfing]

That looks awesome. Curious, where do you look for beat up Camerons?

[Mekeni]

Fleabay my friend.. where else?

[ajlacombe]

OK, we need some more details here. Where did you get the gun blue, and the plum brown stuff. I went to their web site and they sold in gallon size for $112. How about some more details?

 

Awesome job. One last question, the Birchwood Casey site mentioned rust inhibitors. Why wouldn't you put something like that over the gun blue to prevent wear and extend the life of the finish? They use this on hand tools so I would think it would work on a putter.

 

Thanks,

 

Andy

[502 to Right]

You can get the Birchwood Casey gun blue at almost any Wal-Mart. You can get both the gun blue or plum brown at most outdoors style stores (like Cabelas or Gander Mountain) or any well stocked gun shop. I got some plum brown at a Gander Mountain for about $7. The gun blue is cheaper, around $3 or $4.

[MR MIZUN0]

I don't want the brown finish, I want a black finish , like the old circa 62, what stuff would I use then?

[mth1081]

I'm thinking about trying this with my Never Compromise Milled Series #4. I'll post some photos of it after I'm finished.

[502 to Right]

I don't want the brown finish, I want a black finish , like the old circa 62, what stuff would I use then?

 

You want Birchwood Casey perma Blue. It comes in either a liquid or a paste. The liquid is easier to use, the paste lasts longer. Both of them have a more of a blue/black look than a black.

[pitbull808]

The JAT I did above was done with BC Super Blue liquid. The process was done in several coatings in between rubbing it with 0000 steel wool and then reapplying the Super Blue.

 

After paintfill was completed, the whole putter was sprayed with Corrosion Block. It's the only protectant I use on any of my oil can, blue and raw equipment.

 

 

Here's a link to Corrosion Block post I made ages ago. Corrosion Block

 

I've been using this product on all my stuff since I made that post with no ill effects on any of the equipment I've done.

[bogey_pro]

what was used for paint fill, what was the process?

[amajeski]

:) I'm glad to see that the 'ole JAT is still alive and kicking in one form or another. When I had it, it was the smoking hot but intellectually challenged blond girl friend of my putter collection... it looked great at home but when I brought it out around friends I always ended up leaving broke and embarrassed. And seeing as the old girl has worked her way through three more guys it appears the reputation continues :clapping: :clapping: :)

 

Great work on the make-over by the way :russian_roulette:

[newportbeach]

very interesting thanks

[pitbull808]

what was used for paint fill, what was the process?

 

I used Testors paint in a pen form. I think the paint is much easier to use in the pen then brush. It also goes on more evenly. I did it in section and colors. After I let the paint dry for about five minutes, I used a paper towel with a little Goop Off to clean it up. You want to wipe the excess off in one stroke not pushing too hard into the paintfill cavities. All it takes is patience.

 

 

:) I'm glad to see that the 'ole JAT is still alive and kicking in one form or another. When I had it, it was the smoking hot but intellectually challenged blond girl friend of my putter collection... it looked great at home but when I brought it out around friends I always ended up leaving broke and embarrassed. And seeing as the old girl has worked her way through three more guys it appears the reputation continues :clapping: :clapping: :)

 

Great work on the make-over by the way :russian_roulette:

 

 

Adam, I figured you'd appreciate seeing what happened to your putter. I know I always wonder what happened to my old ones. ;)

[mth1081]

I tried to remove the finish this weekend on my Never Compromise Milled Series putter without any luck.

 

I tried using steel wool (polished it up nicely) with Birchwood-Casey Super-Blue remover, Buffing/abrasive compound (took the finish off but shined it also like a mirror in one section) I nicked the bottom with the grinding wheel to see if the entire metal was black but it showed me it was silver toned.

 

I'm not sure if I should just buff off the finish and then lightly sand or sand blast the putter to have some sort of grip for the finish to bond to.

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated

[bogey_pro]

Ty for the info on the paint fill.

 

I attempted to redo my CIRCA 62 #3.

 

while it looks 100% better the Birchwood Casey Perma Blue didn't come out as nice as I had hoped.

I think I will try it again later, I had a hard time cleaning the putter between coats. The blue was rusting fast.

Also I didn't pre-heat the putter as the directions for applying the Perma Blue didn't mention to do so.

 

Bogey_pro

[opus_mh]

im pretty sure thath the NC milled are not carbon but some kind of treated stainless or other metal. I dont think its Black oxide but i could be wrong. i dont ever remeber seeing a NC putter rust. It may be a shinny tempered finish but i have only seen a couple of those putters in the shop and i didnt spend any time with clevelands flagship :aggressive:

 

 

I tried to remove the finish this weekend on my Never Compromise Milled Series putter without any luck.

 

I tried using steel wool (polished it up nicely) with Birchwood-Casey Super-Blue remover, Buffing/abrasive compound (took the finish off but shined it also like a mirror in one section) I nicked the bottom with the grinding wheel to see if the entire metal was black but it showed me it was silver toned.

 

I'm not sure if I should just buff off the finish and then lightly sand or sand blast the putter to have some sort of grip for the finish to bond to.

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated

[mth1081]

I managed to sand off the finish on the bottom of my Never Compromise last night and the grey matter in the center was very close if not the same material as what is below the black portion of the putter. I'll have to post some photos tomorrow of my work.

 

I went over to Lowe's today at lunch to pick up a sanding drum for my drill to complete the job.

 

EDIT

 

I posted some of the progress that I managed to get in tonight.

 

It starting to look good as the finish is coming off nicely with the 80 grit drum sander.

[mth1081]

I bought a couple of Tester's paint pens to use to fill back in the sightline and lettering. I'll show that step when I get to it.

[hollowad]

I have an Odyssey DFX. Got kinda sick of the Black finish so i sanded it down, now it looks like a lovely brushed metal.

Fitted with a new White Steel grip, it lokos great...Ill post some pics of it in the next few days..

 

Neone else had a go at refinishing there DFX?