Taking black oxide finish off copper plated putter. Need suggestions...

[danattherock]

I have a Yamada Emperor which is a soft carbon head, copper plated, with what appears to be black oxide on top. The black oxide is wearing in spots and I want to remove it entirely and let the copper show through. If I screw up, it will be a $450 mistake and my only recourse will be to get on the phone and buy a new Emperor in 'burning copper'. This putter has been in the bag for 4 months and I don't see it changing. Got a deal on this putter, although I wasn't thrilled about the smoke finish. Want her to look like her sister, my Yamada Musashi in burning copper. Thought I would ask for some opinions here before going at it. Any thoughts?

 

 

 

I have Dremel, Flitz polish, brasso, and a 12 pack of beer ready and waiting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Dan

[heinenkugels]

Dearest Dan,


We go back a bit, say 5 putters now, and I hate to be the one to tell you, you can't remove the black finish, but you can't remove the black finish...


Let's say we're comparing oranges and grapefruit (please use any other simile you'd like) - your Yamada Emperor and my Ram 300. I [attachment=1168564:Ram 300.jpg]



I bought this vintage black oxided (although, more of a thin painted black) copper Ram 300 to give a nice restoration. After a 5 minute bath in paint thinner, 10 minute bath in paint thinner, a scrubbing with fine wool, I still couldn't get the black finish off...

So then I was mad, and determined to beat this ol' Ram, so I broke out the big guns and used a paddle sander (a bit much, but I was mad) and really took the black finish off... Then started to notice this vintage Ram 300 that I did not research was not solid copper, just a coating like your Yamada. They're practically brothers. My Ram 300 being the red headed step brother...



If you're gutsy enough, use a rubber emory polishing bits, but be prepared for your putter to look like mine...

Here's a like to some bit I used from time to time, in the event you loose your sanity:

[url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/10pc-Diamond-in-Rubber-Emery-Polishing-Bit-Fits-Dremel-Metal-Stone-Glass-/190633844818?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c62a9a052"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/10pc-Diamond-in-Rubber-Emery-Polishing-Bit-Fits-Dremel-Metal-Stone-Glass-/190633844818?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c62a9a052[/url]




Don't do it Dan,


heinenkugels

[danattherock]

Shet. Thanks for the input man. I appreciate it.




-Dan

[PutterHo]

okay .... now could you have it replated in copper over the black ox?

[Frozenghost007]

First of all you need more beer.
Secondly, if I was in your shoes I would just send it to someone that can do the job right, Lamonte, BOS etc....
It will cost you a few $$$ but it will come back with a finish that will be durable and done right..

Nice putter by the way

[bellview17]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just my .02 cents.

[TPMAN]

Try some CLR it worked on a Scotty

[Splitter]

I'm feeling a little slow here.

Someone took a Carbon putter and plated it with copper? Then someone did a black ox finish on top of the copper plate?

Does that sum it up?

Seems kinda stoopid to me. What do you save, $30 not stripping the copper before doing the black ox?

Would the copper really soften the feel up enough to make it worth leaving on when you black ox it?

I'm just not getting it.

But if that's the case I'd just send it out and get it stripped and re-plated with copper...

[dhk8880]

[quote name='Frozenghost007' timestamp='1337302281' post='4934682']
First of all you need more beer.
Secondly, if I was in your shoes I would just send it to someone that can do the job right, Lamonte, BOS etc....
It will cost you a few $$ but it will come back with a finish that will be durable and done right..

Nice putter by the way
[/quote]

i second that. not worth the risk. or you could just try it and if you screw it up then send it in to have it plated.

[dhk8880]

[quote name='Frozenghost007' timestamp='1337302281' post='4934682']
First of all you need more beer.
Secondly, if I was in your shoes I would just send it to someone that can do the job right, Lamonte, BOS etc....
It will cost you a few $ but it will come back with a finish that will be durable and done right..

Nice putter by the way
[/quote]

i second that. not worth the risk. or you could just try it and if you screw it up then send it in to have it plated.

[danattherock]

I'm feeling a little slow here.

 

Someone took a Carbon putter and plated it with copper? Then someone did a black ox finish on top of the copper plate?

 

Does that sum it up?

 

 

 

 

 

You are correct. Yamada uses a softer carbon than most folks, then copper plates it. That is the 'burning copper' and my preferred of the three finish options they offer. The feel is sensational. But to appease some folks that want a black putter, reduced glare, style, etc.. they apply two finishes, charcoal and smoke (black oxide). It is not the most durable finish to start with, but seems to have an even shorter shelf life when applied to copper. I would not have ordered a Yamada like this as I love the burning copper which is on my first Yamada musashi. But I got a deal on the putter and took it with the 'smoke' finish.

 

 

 

 

 

-Dan

[Splitter]

I'm feeling a little slow here.

 

Someone took a Carbon putter and plated it with copper? Then someone did a black ox finish on top of the copper plate?

 

Does that sum it up?

 

 

 

 

 

You are correct. Yamada uses a softer carbon than most folks, then copper plates it. That is the 'burning copper' and my preferred of the three finish options they offer. The feel is sensational. But to appease some folks that want a black putter, reduced glare, style, etc.. they apply two finishes, charcoal and smoke (black oxide). It is not the most durable finish to start with, but seems to have an even shorter shelf life when applied to copper. I would not have ordered a Yamada like this as I love the burning copper which is on my first Yamada musashi. But I got a deal on the putter and took it with the 'smoke' finish.

 

 

 

 

 

-Dan

 

Interesting. Thanks for taking the time to clue me in. :hi:

[Mr. Maxfli]

A Hydrochloric (Muriatic) Acid soak may remove the black oxide and would have no effect on the copper. This would work depending on the black oxide process that was used.

[chickenpotpie]

[quote name='Mr. Maxfli' timestamp='1337369603' post='4938990']
A Hydrochloric (Muriatic) Acid soak may remove the black oxide and would have no effect on the copper. This would work depending on the black oxide process that was used.
[/quote]

That's something best left to a professional. Muriatic acid isn't exactly "nice" stuff. I work with chemicals for a living, and I wouldn't bring that stuff home to my garage.

[danattherock]

Thank guys, I got some good leads that mentioned using Tarn-X or gun blue remover.


Heard about Coke baths. Acid. All kinds of fun stuff. Ha ha...



-Dan

[Pianofighter]

Have you not tried the method ,we discussed in my P M,you will need patience ,just do a small area at a time and take a break every 20 mins or so.Don't rub too hard in one place,it will take off the copper plate and stay clear of any ACID.
Hope this helps

P

[danattherock]

Been researching the best way as of late. My concern is removing or doing something to effect the copper.


Of all my putters, this is my favorite. The one I actually play golf with. ha ha...


Thanks for the suggestions.



-Dan

[Nick West]

[quote name='Splitter' timestamp='1337322910' post='4936304']
I'm feeling a little slow here.

Someone took a Carbon putter and plated it with copper? Then someone did a black ox finish on top of the copper plate?

Does that sum it up?

Seems kinda stoopid to me. What do you save, $30 not stripping the copper before doing the black ox?

Would the copper really soften the feel up enough to make it worth leaving on when you black ox it?

I'm just not getting it.

But if that's the case I'd just send it out and get it stripped and re-plated with copper...
[/quote]




Just about all plating involves using a copper substrate because it's a better conductor than carbon steel...and provides a mroe consistant finish. You can see it as well on chrome-plated putters when you start to burn through the chrome. In fact, they all look just like that copper putter above prior to chrome plating. I assume that the same would apply for a black nickel plating as well.

I'm guessing that the black that is on the putter above is not actually a black oxide (which is a chemical finish), but rather some type of plating. That explains the copper underneath it, and the fact that it was very difficult to remove.

[Pianofighter]

Not sure exactly what the finish is but it is not Black Oxide as it does not come off in a Coke or Vinegar bath and it is not a plated finish as it can be removed by a mild abrasive cleaner.
The putter below was originally finished in 'Soft Black'but was striped back to the Copper Plate by using Flitz, Dura Glit and Goddards Copper polish.Job including some short breaks took about 6 hours.

[danattherock]

That looks awesome.

 

 

One of the main issue I am having, I am not 100% certain what the black 'smoke' finish is.

[hebron1427]

That looks awesome.

 

 

One of the main issue I am having, I am not 100% certain what the black 'smoke' finish is.

 

have you tried contacting the company?

[danattherock]

Yep, emailed twice, but no reply yet.

 

 

All is good, been on the front porch the last 2-3 hours with some beer, a tube of Flitz, and a dremel.

 

 

Almost done

[hebron1427]

Yep, emailed twice, but no reply yet.

 

 

All is good, been on the front porch the last 2-3 hours with some beer, a tube of Flitz, and a dremel.

 

 

Almost done

 

pics please.

[lightningbolt444]

[danattherock]

Shining like a diamond, but I took too much off in the cavity. Left it looking like silver, rather than copper. Guess I took the copper plating off with the dremel.

 

Perhaps 3 beers would have been better than 8

 

 

Anyway, she is beautiful, just not perfect. Alarm is on, dog and wife asleep, putter in car. Will post pics in morning. She looks awesome (except for silver spots in cavity).

 

 

Got an email reply from Yamada and they said they would be happy to apply their 'burning copper' finish and would rush it (2 weeks).

 

I am thrilled as this is my preferred Yamada finish. Sending it out Monday as this is my favorite putter. It stays in the bag.

 

 

 

Side note, the guy at Yamada informed me that the guy that shot 55 (world record) was using a Yamada Emperor. No surprise to me. ha ha..

 

 

http://newsok.com/fo...article/3677078

 

 

55?

 

Holy cow

 

 

 

 

 

This is what my Emperor will look like once Yamada cleans up my mess....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Dan

[danattherock]

 

 

 

[lightningbolt444]

Nice I like the look of it now. Although glare may be an issue with as shiny as it is. Maybe make some patina set in until you send her in.

[danattherock]

Maybe make some patina set in until you send her in.

 

 

Between now and tomorrow?

 

 

I doubt it.

 

 

 

-Dan

 

 

 

[lightningbolt444]

Maybe make some patina set in until you send her in.

 

 

Between now and tomorrow?

 

 

I doubt it.

 

 

 

-Dan

 

 

 

 

 

[danattherock]

Ha ha.. Patience is not a virtue I possess (or care about acquiring).

 

And you know how I feel about my Yamada. Think child losing puppy.

 

Thursday, when we play, I will be bringing my SC Tei3 Del Mar 2 long neck.

 

A nice back up I must admit, but I will be missing my Yamada till it gets back.

 

Glad they were so accommodating and offered the rush service.

 

Oh, I bought another SC tei3 Del Mar 2 long neck today

 

 

 

 

-Dan