Here at BB International Cricket Bats, we understand how much your favourite bat means to you and the importance of looking after it to increase its life and run-scoring ability!
With that in mind, check out our Bat Refurbishment service - - - (https://bbcricketbats.com/pages/custom-made-cricket-bat)
Below is a breakdown of the stages we go through with each bat sent to us, giving every blade the care and attention we would give if it was our own trusty favourite. Indeed, it is through working on our own bats over the years that has helped hone this process into the following parts…
Remove grips (even if re-using, to avoid them getting clogged up with sawdust) and use a hair dryer to ease off the scuff sheet, peeling across the grain to the side to minimise the chances of lifting any wood fibres. Any sticky residue can be removed using some sticker remover spray, leaving the bat for five minutes so the glue dissolves and then wiping off the residue using a plastic scraper and kitchen roll.
The bat can then be sanded by hand or using a handheld sander. A coarser 80 grit sheet can be used to give the bat a thorough initial clean, then something around 180-240 to smooth it out and 320+ for a finish. Any big cracks that are loose can be lifted, glued using wood glue and wrapped in parcel tape for 24 hours before the sanding processes, which should leave any minor repairs smooth and almost invisible to the naked eye once sanded over. Finish the process by hand, using a sheet of very, very fine sandpaper (600 grit is ideal) to smooth out the whole bat, which in turn avoids leaving any rough patches.
Use a coat of raw linseed oil, specialist Owzat Bat Oil or bat wax on all areas of exposed wood. Be sparing with amounts – use the cap of the container as a guide with the oils. If using wax, a 20p-sized blob on each side will suffice.
Use your fingers to massage the oil/wax into the bat, that way you know it has been absorbed by the wood and not ended up absorbed by the cloth. It’s pretty hard to over-oil if just adding a cap-full to each side, but if you are concerned that you have put too much on, simply go back after an hour and gently dab the bat’s face with some kitchen roll, which will remove any little patches of unabsorbed liquid visible on the surface.
Leave an oiled bat horizontal for 24 hours. If using wax or Owzat, go back after an hour and buff the surface with a cloth to smooth out and remove any excess remaining on the surface, which in turn will also help the remaining wax/Owzat penetrate the wood further. You can go back the next day and polish the bat again using the same cloth until it comes away clean, meaning everything has absorbed into the wood.
Leave the bat for 48 hours before attempting to apply a scuff sheet or toe guard.
Cut the scuff sheet to length and peel the back away, gently easing the sheet onto the wood so you can adjust it to make sure the edges are even before pressing down. At the toe, cut the edges away at an angle to avoid the edges from coming away and use a knife to go along the bottom of the bat (or along the toe guard) for a neat finish.
If applying a toe guard… Apply a toe guard before the scuff sheet. Follow the instructions in the box, using the rough sandpaper provided, rough up the toe of the bat and guard slightly which will improve the guard’s contact with the bat. Apply glue to both the bat and guard. Leave both for 10 minutes and apply the guard firmly to the bat, making sure you smooth out any air pockets. Once the guard is attached to the bat, push down on the guard for 5 minutes to hold it in place. You can then apply some parcel tape across the bottom of the bat, holding the guard tight, which can be carefully removed after 24 hours and the guard cut to size using a Stanley knife. Then for a smooth finish use a handheld sander with a high grit, or regular piece of sandpaper around the edges, until the toe guard is completely in line with the bat, with no overhanging edges.
If you use Shoe Goo... This is applied after the scuff sheet. Spread a line of Shoe Goo across the toe of the bat, smooth out using a finger dabbed in warm water. Leave to set for 24 hours, resting upright against a wall toe end up and then trim off any excess. It’s a good idea to ensure it covers the bottom edge of the scuff sheet face for a complete seal. Any that has run over the edge can be cut away using a Stanley or craft knife. Shoe Goo 2 can also be used but is much looser in its consistency. It will run down the face and back of the bat as it sets. Leave for 24 hours and peel away any loose strands and cut a horizontal straight line around the toe of the bat, ensuring the first couple of millimetres of the bottom of the scuff sheet on the face are covered too.
Use a gripping cone to add a new grip or two to the handle. If using two grips to add a little cushioning and to make the bat pick up better, use a thin chevron underneath a grippier one on the outside. If the grip has a logo at the top, put the logo end of the grip on the cone first, then it will be at the top of the bat when applied.
Et voila! Your bat is looking as good as new!
Contact us today to find out how we can save your trusty willow.
hello@bbcricketbats.com
020 3051 9281
