Putter Refinishing: Caswells 101

[Little Lefty]

A step-by-step guide to darkening your putter (masters please comment)

Hello all. This is a guide to refinishing one's putter using Caswells 370 ss Blackener. This method is the one that works the best for me. It is a method composed of advice from other fellow WRX members. If any of you have any suggestions or modifications to make, please feel free to post them below. (That means you, deerslayer!)
Step 1: Materials

1. Caswells 370 ss Blackener (1 pint is preferred)
2. Caswells Penetrating Sealer
3. Windex
4. Rubber Gloves
5. Steel Wool (preferrably fine)
6. Paper Towels
7. Plastic Bucket
8. Packaging or Electricians Tape

Note: Although Muriatic Acid is reccomended, I find that the finish is plenty durable and even without it. The acid is dangerous and difficult to dispose of and does not yield any additional benefits

Step 2: Preparation

First, tape the shaft starting at the hosel and ending about 6 inches up the shaft. This protects the chrome from the Blackener, as it will damage the chrome. Then rinse the head in tap water making sure you scrub with a paper towel. Next, spray the head with Windex and scrub with a paer towel to remove any fingerprints or oils from the surface of the putter. Finally, rinse the head again in water.

Step 3: Blacken
Pour the Blackener into a plastic bucket which is both large enough to fit the putter but small enough that the solution covers most of it. Use the blackener at full strength. Dip the putter in the solution and scrub briskly with the steel wool. Repeat until desired blackness is achieved.


Note: The Blackener will turn brown because of the steel wool. Don't worry as this will not affect the capabilities of the solution. Also, it is reccomended that you do this outside as the fumes which come off the solution are potent.

Step 4: Seal
After the desired dlackness is achieved, quickly rinse the putter head in water. Dip the head in the sealer and leave it there for 5 minutes. Then, use a rag to cover the head in sealer. leave it on overnight.



Now you can apply paintfill or do anything else you might want to do. I do reccomed that you put a paper towel over the mouth of the original container so that when you pour the solution back in the impurities from the steel wool are removed. If you leave the paintfill on the putter before you blacken your putter, the steel underneath will remain the natural stainless steel color. This finish is plenty durable and is really easy to reapply if you so desire. The circle sander, the sandpaper, and the brasso in the first picture are for removing any nicks and dings from the putter. That is what I use.

[newportbeach]

Thanks for the nice outline. I have some caswells that I ordered a couple of months ago and need to try this out once the snow hits.

[Rigs]

Any pics of final product?

[hckymeyer]

I'll just add a few notes from my experiences with a carbon putter.

[list][*]The gel kit works great on carbon heads and doesn't seem to make as much of a mess. It's very easy to apply and you don't need the plastic bucket. Just goop up the putter, let it sit for 3 or 4 minutes and then rinse it off. Reapply until you get the desired level of black[*]I've had good luck applying the sealer with a foam paint brush. No need to dip it and let it sit overnight. Plus you don't have to try and wedge your putter in to a small container[*]Use a hair dryer to help speed up the dry time of the sealer. Instead of 20 minutes to dry it takes 1 or 2.[*]Make sure to seal again after you do paint fill if you used acetone or nail polish remover to clean up the paint. The acetone will take off the sealer.[/list]

[4rheel]

Does this only work with carbon heads or any style of putter? How about with an insert?

[taygolf52]

can you reuse the solution for multiple putter?

[hckymeyer]

[quote name='4rheel' timestamp='1315375274' post='3547577']
Does this only work with carbon heads or any style of putter? How about with an insert?
[/quote]


Caswell makes different products for different types of metal. You want to make sure you use the correct one. (the regular kit won't blacken stainless, you need to make sure to get the stainless kit)

Not sure on the insert question, but having used the gel kit it seems like it would be easier to control where the gel is applied (mask off the insert) than with the liquid solution. I have no idea if the liquid would hurt an insert. Hopefully one of the more experience guys can chime in on that one.

[hckymeyer]

[quote name='taygolf52' timestamp='1315402283' post='3547875']
can you reuse the solution for multiple putter?
[/quote]

Yes

[SoCalTitleist]

Do you have to order this stuff from their site or do they sell it in stores?

[hckymeyer]

[quote name='Titleistfreak2' timestamp='1315413763' post='3548321']
Do you have to order this stuff from their site or do they sell it in stores?
[/quote]

I've personally been unable to find it in a retail location (around Twin Cities in MN). I just ordered from their website.

[KarstenK]

Question for anybody that did this with the paintfill still on.....Is the paintfill affected and need to be redone afterwards? thanks!

[GUMBINGER]

The paintfill will not be affected by the Caswell.

[midweston]

i would love to see a final product picture too!

[Little Lefty]

That putter is currently back in the hands of its owner. I am sorry but I didn't have any time to take pictures. If you go to my thread entitled "3 Caswelled Camerons" you can see the other work that I have done with the Caswells Blackener. When you search it, leave out the 3. In my opinion, the other 3 camerons are better than this one.

[deck]

So you do not have to remove the weights? What putters have you used this on?

[ravengolf]

[quote name='Little Lefty' timestamp='1315692514' post='3555753']
That putter is currently back in the hands of its owner. I am sorry but I didn't have any time to take pictures. If you go to my thread entitled "3 Caswelled Camerons" you can see the other work that I have done with the Caswells Blackener. When you search it, leave out the 3. In my opinion, the other 3 camerons are better than this one.
[/quote]


The putters look great! You did a fantastic job with the putters. Can you make the finish darker if desired? What is the website for the caswell products? Does the sandpaper and steel wool remove the milling from the face? One more question, what type of paint was used for paint fill?

[dwb7272]

So this would work on any stainless putter? I have an Edel that is 303 stainless and finish is the dull gray. Love the putter but do not like the finish. This might be what I am looking for.

[GUMBINGER]

[quote name='deck' timestamp='1315752551' post='3556762']
So you do not have to remove the weights? What putters have you used this on?
[/quote]

You dont have to remove the weights if you do not want to. Ive done it on a Studio Select and it turned out great. If you want the weights to stay their original color, you will have to remove them.

[GUMBINGER]

[quote name='ravengolf' timestamp='1315752852' post='3556770']
[quote name='Little Lefty' timestamp='1315692514' post='3555753']
That putter is currently back in the hands of its owner. I am sorry but I didn't have any time to take pictures. If you go to my thread entitled "3 Caswelled Camerons" you can see the other work that I have done with the Caswells Blackener. When you search it, leave out the 3. In my opinion, the other 3 camerons are better than this one.
[/quote]


The putters look great! You did a fantastic job with the putters. Can you make the finish darker if desired? What is the website for the caswell products? Does the sandpaper and steel wool remove the milling from the face? One more question, what type of paint was used for paint fill?
[/quote]

The more times you dip it in the Caswell and longer you leave it, the darker it will get. It wont get a true black, but you can get it pretty dark. The website is [url="http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/black.htm"]HERE[/url]. Make sure to order the "Stainless Steel Blackener 370 (Not For Steel)" kit. Steel wool will not remove the milling, but I would be gentle with the sandpaper as it is a little rougher... I always use acrylic paint (usually find lots of colors at Walmart or Micheals), but a lot of people use enamel paint. I have never had any issues with Acrylic. Here is a Studio Select 2.5 I did a month ago.

[attachment=856542:CIMG0128.jpg]

[attachment=856543:CIMG0130.jpg]

[attachment=856544:CIMG0131.jpg]

[GUMBINGER]

[quote name='dwb7272' timestamp='1315757467' post='3556879']
So this would work on any stainless putter? I have an Edel that is 303 stainless and finish is the dull gray. Love the putter but do not like the finish. This might be what I am looking for.
[/quote]

Works on stainless!

[oldhamer25]

[quote name='GUMBINGER' timestamp='1315759902' post='3556938']
[quote name='ravengolf' timestamp='1315752852' post='3556770']
[quote name='Little Lefty' timestamp='1315692514' post='3555753']
That putter is currently back in the hands of its owner. I am sorry but I didn't have any time to take pictures. If you go to my thread entitled "3 Caswelled Camerons" you can see the other work that I have done with the Caswells Blackener. When you search it, leave out the 3. In my opinion, the other 3 camerons are better than this one.
[/quote]


The putters look great! You did a fantastic job with the putters. Can you make the finish darker if desired? What is the website for the caswell products? Does the sandpaper and steel wool remove the milling from the face? One more question, what type of paint was used for paint fill?
[/quote]

The more times you dip it in the Caswell and longer you leave it, the darker it will get. It wont get a true black, but you can get it pretty dark. The website is [url="http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/black.htm"]HERE[/url]. Make sure to order the "Stainless Steel Blackener 370 (Not For Steel)" kit. Steel wool will not remove the milling, but I would be gentle with the sandpaper as it is a little rougher... I always use acrylic paint (usually find lots of colors at Walmart or Micheals), but a lot of people use enamel paint. I have never had any issues with Acrylic. Here is a Studio Select 2.5 I did a month ago.

[attachment=856542:CIMG0128.jpg]

[attachment=856543:CIMG0130.jpg]

[attachment=856544:CIMG0131.jpg]
[/quote]

Gumbinger--I have looked on this site and the only kit I see for Stainless is the one with the gel. Did you by the liquid and the sealer seperately? To those who have used both the gel and the liquid from, which is easier to work with?

[GUMBINGER]

I bought the liquid from the site a few posts up... Its called "SSB370 Stainless Steel Blackener 370 (Not For Steel)". I bought the sealer separate, but from my experience it is not really necessary. I havent used the gel before, but the liquid is super easy, and you can reuse it. I think I have done it 6-7 putters, and it is still working great. I believe the gel is a one time deal... Hope this helps.

[acgolfer]

i might just have to do that to my newport 2

[ravengolf]

[quote name='GUMBINGER' timestamp='1315759902' post='3556938']
[quote name='ravengolf' timestamp='1315752852' post='3556770']
[quote name='Little Lefty' timestamp='1315692514' post='3555753']
That putter is currently back in the hands of its owner. I am sorry but I didn't have any time to take pictures. If you go to my thread entitled "3 Caswelled Camerons" you can see the other work that I have done with the Caswells Blackener. When you search it, leave out the 3. In my opinion, the other 3 camerons are better than this one.
[/quote]


The putters look great! You did a fantastic job with the putters. Can you make the finish darker if desired? What is the website for the caswell products? Does the sandpaper and steel wool remove the milling from the face? One more question, what type of paint was used for paint fill?
[/quote]

The more times you dip it in the Caswell and longer you leave it, the darker it will get. It wont get a true black, but you can get it pretty dark. The website is [url="http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/black.htm"]HERE[/url]. Make sure to order the "Stainless Steel Blackener 370 (Not For Steel)" kit. Steel wool will not remove the milling, but I would be gentle with the sandpaper as it is a little rougher... I always use acrylic paint (usually find lots of colors at Walmart or Micheals), but a lot of people use enamel paint. I have never had any issues with Acrylic. Here is a Studio Select 2.5 I did a month ago.

[attachment=856542:CIMG0128.jpg]

[attachment=856543:CIMG0130.jpg]

[attachment=856544:CIMG0131.jpg]
[/quote]

Thanks for the info. The putter looks great! I like the dark finish.

[ess32]

Wow! there may be a blackened squareback hitting the links soon!

[scratchswinger]

Grum- Putter looks great. Can you please post a picture of the sole? I would like to see the paint fill. Thx

[dnong]

[quote name='GUMBINGER' timestamp='1315777485' post='3557375']
I bought the liquid from the site a few posts up... Its called "SSB370 Stainless Steel Blackener 370 (Not For Steel)". I bought the sealer separate, but from my experience it is not really necessary. I havent used the gel before, but the liquid is super easy, and you can reuse it. I think I have done it 6-7 putters, and it is still working great. I believe the gel is a one time deal... Hope this helps.
[/quote]

can you elaborate more on why the sealer is not really necessary?

[GUMBINGER]

[quote name='dnong' timestamp='1315805686' post='3558234']
[quote name='GUMBINGER' timestamp='1315777485' post='3557375']
I bought the liquid from the site a few posts up... Its called "SSB370 Stainless Steel Blackener 370 (Not For Steel)". I bought the sealer separate, but from my experience it is not really necessary. I havent used the gel before, but the liquid is super easy, and you can reuse it. I think I have done it 6-7 putters, and it is still working great. I believe the gel is a one time deal... Hope this helps.
[/quote]

can you elaborate more on why the sealer is not really necessary?
[/quote]

I dont have any real reasons other than I havent found a need for it. Im sure it will help protect the finish, but I've put it on one of my putters (that I dont use) and it made it a tad more shiny... Either way (sealer or not) it looks good, but I prefer to save a step and go without the sealer. I was also hesitant to use it on my gamers b/c it looks so good without it, and I didnt want to mess it up.

[GUMBINGER]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1315804087' post='3558210']
Grum- Putter looks great. Can you please post a picture of the sole? I would like to see the paint fill. Thx
[/quote]

Scratch - Here you go!

[attachment=857091:CIMG0120.jpg]

PS - its GUMBINGER - not G[u]R[/u]UMBINGER! haha

[scratchswinger]

[quote name='GUMBINGER' timestamp='1315837604' post='3558616']
[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1315804087' post='3558210']
Grum- Putter looks great. Can you please post a picture of the sole? I would like to see the paint fill. Thx
[/quote]

Scratch - Here you go!


PS - its GUMBINGER - not G[u]R[/u]UMBINGER! haha
[/quote]
LOL... Sorry about that, long day of practice and watching football. Putter looks great.... I think I will be doing this first to an older Ping than to my Fastback.

Just as a guide, how long did you soak this putter for the color it is?