I've replaced grips before but I have always cut the old grips off. Someone has recently asked if I could remove the grips on one set of clubs and place them on another. I was thinking of maybe soaking the grips in paint thinner or something but the shafts are graphite and I am afraid that the solvent might harm the finish on the shafts, any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Removing grips intact is hard to do. But it can be done. You need a big syringe with a stout needle. Bigger is better because you can force solvent under the surface of the grip more easily. You don't need to use a lot of juice...poke the needle in a couple places trying not to rip the grip in the process...the solvent will form a "blister" that you can manually force around the inside of the grip, eventually reaching enough of the tape to release the adhesion. But lemme tell ya, you gotta be strong to do all this and doing a set will take a while. And needles are dangerous, y'know. Older grips may not withstand the process. They'd have to be some precious grips to make it worthwhile, imo, as opposed to regripping from scratch. Anyway, good luck, trainfever.
It depends on how long the grips have been on but if they haven't been on or used for very long you might be able to get them off using a air compressor. Use a air gun with a little rubber tip on it and hold the tip over the little hole on the end of the grip. Make sure you don't use too much air pressure. If you start to see the grip bulging anywhere you've got too much and will probably blow it out, kind of like a tire. The air pressure can break the seal between the tape and grip and the grip will slide right up and off. But again, this will only work if the grips haven't been on for very long. Good luck and be really careful if you try to use this method.
Jerry
I have a thin, long blade (non sharp) that I use to separate the inside of the grip from the tape. I squirt grip solvent or the area as I spin the grip around and penetrate until I hit the but end of the grip. It usually takes about 30 seconds per grip. They used to sell these at Golfsmith.
The blade is fine is also available from the Golfworks. Best way to do it is with the club upside down as gravity gets the solvent into the grip. For use with a compressor check out stargrips.com and click on tapeless installation. There is also a very knowledgeable clubmaker in Michigan who is a master at pulling out grips with a compressor. His name is Arnie and he also sells the tools for air removal.
I've had no problems using the needle, but as other have said, if the grips are somewhat old, that could present a problem. Always be careful though if deciding on the needle method.
I've replaced grips before but I have always cut the old grips off. Someone has recently asked if I could remove the grips on one set of clubs and place them on another. I was thinking of maybe soaking the grips in paint thinner or something but the shafts are graphite and I am afraid that the solvent might harm the finish on the shafts, any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Easiest and fastest way is with compressed air. Grips will come off clean with the tape remaining intact on the shaft. No need to replace the tape just blow another grip on the old tape. No drying time ready to play instantly.Time required is about 15 seconds per grip.
You need a compressor a blow gun and a special tip for the blowgun along with a "protector tube" to keep the grip from bursting. Contct me if you need these parts.
Why not just spend the 2$ for a new grip and save yourself a lot of trouble?
As always when this subject comes up..............if this is a business it's nice to charge $2 for labor and have no material cost!
But then I have sorted grips that were either new or like new that are blown off and resold for $1.50 each installed and that's all profit. Budget customers love it!
Upside down is the only way to do it. Sorry, I failed to mention that detail. I had a friend that used a hypodermic needle filled with solvent until he accidentally injected his thumb. He was very lucky not to lose his thumb as it turned black, doubled in size and rejected the nail. Why I always used the thin blade. Even with the blade you need to be extremely careful.
You need a compressor a blow gun and a special tip for the blowgun along with a "protector tube" to keep the grip from bursting. Contct me if you need these parts.
I have the compressor and blow gun, would like to get the tube and special tip. Please email me the info at golfclubs@pacbell.net.
August 15th, 2005, 11:17 PM
Older grips may not withstand the process. They'd have to be some precious grips to make it worthwhile, imo, as opposed to regripping from scratch. Anyway, good luck, trainfever.
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