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I've read that you need to turn ferrules on fine sandpaper to get the outer diameter down, then turn them in Acetone to get the shine back. I've also read that Acetone is a solvent. Can you just use Acetone as your grip solvent therefore eliminating the need to carry both products? Or is Acetone too harsh and might damage grips or something? Where do you get Acetone apart from golf supply shops?

Do you guys actually turn ferrules or can you usually find one that matches your clubheads?

for putting grips on, use orderless mineral spirits, acetone evaporates too quickly and may damage the grip. most hardware and department stores carry acetone, at least here anyways.
for the ferrules, i prefer to get the correct size ferrules, they look better when not sanded.

I'll bet acetone would damage the grips, because the way it shines up ferrules is by melting and dissolving the top, rough layer of the ferrule that's left after you sand it. Acetone and plastics do not go well together. Plus, acetone stinks, and it ain't exactly the healthiest thing to be breathing a lot, especially in the amounts that are required to put on grips.

I usually try to find ferrules that match the O.D. of the hosel, but I have turned down a ferrule occassionaly. It's pretty easy to do by hand.

You should be able to get acetone at any hardware store or home center.

Actually, skip the Acetone, napthia...etc...


The best and cheapest way to go is using lamp oil.


You can buy this at Wal-<art, Target, and hardware store...

Instead of buying a volitile quart of Acetone for $4.00, you can get a GALLON of lamp oil for about $1.39...and it is not nearly as offensive...**** you can get them in vanilla or Pine fresh scents!

Yep, I've heard of people using lamp oil as grip solvent. However, if I'm not mistaken, he'll still need acetone to polish up ferrules if he sands any down.

I guess I should clear up come misconceptions about grip solvent. It's named grip "solvent," buts it's not really a solvent in the likes of naptha, acetone, etc. Grip solvent, at least the Bramptons stuff I use, is pretty much just soapy water. I run across this all the time, people generally confusing grip solvent and "real" solvents because the fluid used in gripping clubs is so commonly called solvent.

See, that's really good to know, because I was thinking about getting a tin of standard solvent instead of grip solvent. Truth is though, I'm blowing my grips on, so I only really need a bit of soapy water to get it started. But I may need Acetone from time to time for the ferrules by the sounds of it.

the grip solvent from golf works contains petrolium naphtha. that's what it says on the container anyways.

Interesting. You learn something new everyday. I've always use the Bramptons oderless stuff with ordinary two sided grip tape, and the list of "ingredients" on the label are just basic surfactants and emollients. I could, of course, not know at all what I'm talking about here in these last couple of posts and be totally wrong.

BTW, I went and bought the Bramptons grip solvent instead of trying to substitute something else becuase a quart was only like $6, and it appears like it's going to last virtually forever. I just keep dumping the used stuff back into the bottle.

But, if you have access to an air compressor, blowing grips on is the only way to do it. I won't do it any other way anymore.

But, I think you'll still need acetone for ferrules.

i have a paint sprayer air compressor and it is the best way do it, especially if you have smaller hands and don't need the tape build up, i use a small strip of tape at the end, masking tape works well too, use enough solvent to wet the tape and blow it on.

I looked up "lamp solvent" on Answers.com and found that it's just another name for kerosene. Interesting.

I typcially use the Golfworks solvent because it was cheap and i've had the same bottle for almost 3 years. I haven't tried the water-activated grip tape, but it's supposed to work decently, but takes a little longer to dry (not a factor if you aren't in a hurry).

Acetone is the fastest solvent for ferrule shining. Other solvents aren't as aggressive and will take longer to get the shine, which I don't like because I will have to be exposed to the vapors longer while waiting for my ferrules to shine. Whichever solvent you use, make sure you have good ventiliation (remember the last time your wife or girlfriend applied nail polish). Speaking of that... did you know that acetone is the main "ingredient" in nail polish remover? It doesn't work that well in shining ferrules, thanks to all the added ingredients, but it's interesting info.

Anyone know the most common solvent?

I have two 30" Delta belt sanders and am planning on purchasing a third one to complete my shaft-prepping/ferrule turning set up. The set up will be as follows:
One will have a sanding belt to prep steel shafts.
Another will have a micro-grit belt for prepping graphite shafts.
The third one will have a cloth belt for turning ferrules.

I currently use the cloth belt to turn ferrules. The friction simply generates enough heat to smooth them without leaving a rough finish like sandpaper.

As someone said above, using an air compressor to blow on and off grips is the best way to go....this is my preferred method...turned out to be a very cost effective way to do work.