Cleaning a wood bat... advice sought

skrezyna23

Any suggestions how to clean off/get rid of the bat hits (if possible) and tape off this bat? Is it possible to make this look new (minus discoloration at bat grip unless i use an oil)? This is not a game-used bat.

jay0791

If that is a game used bat...leave it alone !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

skrezyna23

Most certainly would leave it alone but it's not a game-used bat. I want to clean it up and eventually get it signed.

vintageinvestments

pledge?

alifaxwa2

Going to need a slight abrasive, as the ball marks are leather transfer. However, need something that wont affect the wood surface. Also going to have the problem of any chips. dents due to use and storage. They may look a little strange if the rest of the bat looks new. Best bet may be finding someone with a lathe, and use small, high count sandpaper, to strip 1/32 off the complete bat surface, then re-stain.

Ironmanfan

Start with Murphy's Oil Soap and a rag. Then let it dry for a bit and see how it looks. Then use bee's wax afterwards - apply the bee's wax and rub vigorously with a clean rag to preserve.

IMF

dennis07

Back in the day we'd rub them down with rubbing alcohol. I can't remember how effective that was.

JoeBanzai

<< <i>Start with Murphy's Oil Soap and a rag. Then let it dry for a bit and see how it looks. Then use bee's wax afterwards - apply the bee's wax and rub vigorously with a clean rag to preserve.

IMF >>



Murphy's is a good gentle cleaner, not sure about bee's wax and how it might effect the signature, that's not what they used when making the bat. For the handle I would try something like "Goo Gone" to remove the glue residue if the Murphy's doesn't work. Rubbing alcohol might work as a cleaner too, it shouldn't leave any oily residue, it may "dry out" any finish though. Your last resort should be any kind of abrasive. Possibly super fine sandpaper if the bat looks bad after cleaning. If you decide to use any kind of abrasive, you will probably need to apply a THIN coat of varnish/polyurethane to replace what you have removed. If the signature area has any kind of wax or oil on it the signature may run or otherwise be affected, the varnish/polyurethane dries hard.

I would strongly advise against using a lathe or any kind of power tool. Taking too much of the surface off (1/32 seems like a LOT to me) could turn it into scrap. If you need to smooth out ball marks or dents after it's cleaned do it gently and by hand.

Good luck, sounds like a cool project!

Ironmanfan

another thought is that you could probably find another bat in better condition for relatively little expense

IMF

lbcoach20

I'm a gameused bat guy and I agree with Ironman that you can probably find a better bat relatively inexpensive. You have a store model bat indicated by the 2 on the knob. That tells the length of the bat at 32 inches. A nice replacement bat similar to yours would run around $15-20. A game ready pro model in unused condition if you can find one would be a bit more, but autographed would be worth more. But it would be more desirable. If you really want to clean your bat I would try the Goo Gone. That would probably take off the marks and tape the easiest. Whatever you decide autographed bats display great! Good luck!

effe

I just used Goo-Gone on a bat and it did a great job removing the tape residue

skrezyna23

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I have not purchased the bat in the photos yet, and Im keeping an eye out for the same model in better condition, though I have a feeling it will be hard to find one outside of eBay. Since the original post, I have bought several bats.. LS BB997, LS 180, LS K55, Franklin 1905-6.

Also heard good things about this.. Cleanup Hitter

SultanOfSwat

You could remove the tape and sand the bat down with a fine grain of sandpaper, then refinish it. It would look like a new one then.

miwlvrn

?

JMDVM

Don't forget to treat for termites.