Golf Club Restoration Rusty to Amazing Showroom Finish ($5 eBay Purchase)

Find out how I restored this rusty wedge!
Golf Club Restoration from rusty golf club back to showroom finish. We were able to purchase it on eBay at an absolute bargain of only $5!
Chapters:
00:00 Restoration Intro
00:12 Removing club head
00:47 Removing grip
01:58 Installing new grip
02:47 de-rusting club head
03:47 Removing paint
04:27 Restoring grooves
05:12 Polishing club head
05:37 Painting club head
07:22 Re-fitting head to shaft
08:27 Finished product!
08:57 I'm bad at golf...
The Restoration Process:
It's true that many golfers prefer their wedges to be rusty, as it's said to increase the amount of spin when hitting the ball (This has also been disproven, but let's not go down that rabbit hole!). But for this piece, we wanted to show off the best looking side of this wedge.
It was super rusty, and the paint was stained or had fallen off. There was also a fair amount of knicks around the outside, just from normal use. Our aim wasn't to restore the metal, as this can compromise the club itself, and we're definitely not professional golf club restorers!
We started by soaking the head in White Vinegar and Salt for 24 hours. While this was soaking we regriped the club by stripping off the old grip and installing the new one, using double sided tape and adhesive.
Once the head had been soaked, we started to restore it by cleaning off the old residue, and lightly scrubbing with steel wool. The next stage was to sharpen the grooves using a Groove Sharpener. These groves must be sharp to ensure correct loft when hitting the ball.
We gave the Titleist head a polish before repainting the features on the club head. We used Hammerite metal paint, which worked very well, but any metal paint will do the job.
Once the head was shiny, painted and the restoration complete, we then used two part epoxy to reattach the club head to the shaft, ensuring the align the grip.
24 hours later, the epoxy had set and we had finished our golf club restoration showroom ready Titleist Oil Can 60 degree wedge!
Thanks for checking out our video!
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[@TreetopRestorations]

Hi everyone! While i appreciate there are many opinions around whether wedges should be rusty or not. The aim of this video was to restore the club to as close to showroom as possible, which meant removing all traces of rust. I hope you enjoy the video, even if it does go against your own personal rust perferences!

[@ryanokeefe12]

It will rust again in a week. They're literally designed to start rusting the moment it comes out of the wrapper

[@dylanwimm]

Beautiful restoration!

[@themuscovyducks]

The finish and paint fill looks pretty solid. My only real critique would be that you should have worked on grinding out the face wear.

[@thomaspfliger6230]

A hook blade is much easier and faster for cutting a grip off

[@jcoats1203]

Excellent restoration and video. Thanks.

[@Sensei-Gio]

I’m a golfer and I loved this peaceful nature and at the end missing that chip shot was great!!! 👍

[@Downsouthroots]

Thats a nice and expensive Vokey wedge!!!

[@callen.6371]

The most amazing thing about this vid, was the sticky label remover spray thing lol.

[@johnparker2252]

WD40 works every time.

[@stevereaves6757]

Lighter fluid works fine too, for removing old glue and pouring on the tape and down the grip.

[@Matt-ze3oo]

break cleaner works great for this as well

[@michaelzdanis3979]

Napha will clean up what little residue you should have left.

[@shaunwhiskey]

The birds in the background are so relaxing.

[@jtrigzy5710]

This looks great. This may have been mentioned previously but the face for me as a fellow golf club fitter/refurbisher is the only part which lets the finished product down. I buy Vokeys in bulk at about 10-20 quid a pop pretty beaten up and move them on at 80-100 model dependant. If interested I tape off the score lines just as you did to recut grooves and use a handheld media blaster with aluminium oxide media (150-180 grit) at approx 90 psi takes 10 seconds to give that brand new iron look. My air compressor media blasting gun together cost less than 100 pounds and the finish is better than a brand new iron face. This also provides a functional angle of more spin whilst being legal with R&A and USGA rules. Made the investment back for the sandblasting equipment within a few clubs work!! All the best

[@chadode9048]

That was fun to watch - looks very nice. Now someone can enjoy re-rusting it again!

[@chriskubond6314]

That was so cool to watch. He really brought that old wedge back to life. So satisfying

[@socloseyetsofar673]

I love your patience, effort, and attention to detail! Also, the ending was quite funny....another video proving that it's the warrior and not the arrow that makes the arrow hit the mark!

[@TreetopRestorations]

Your username sums up my fate so well 😭

[@clayscott777]

2:25 You need to overhang a little extra tape at the butt of the club to twist into a seal that you tuck into the shaft. Keeps water and debris from getting in there and causing corrosion in the shaft or a rattle when you swing.

[@buster2878]

True👏🏻

[@chrisnemesis9327]

Excellent job, club looked amazing after. Please do more golf club restorations

[@johnlo5687]

Absolutely delight to see a human being put such tentative care into his skill. Well done sir! I hope I can bring my set of clubs to you for restoration please that would be wonderful so I can show off to my friends what you did for me thank you ❤️

[@Monkeytown_UK]

Brilliant!!! The ending made me laugh too. Great work and thank's for the video

[@garymorris1856]

The club head is beautiful . Very interesting, thank you for posting this.

[@uncle_kyle7149]

The grip removal absolutely killed me but otherwise, good job. Some like rusted wedges, I’m one of those people, but on the face, there’s no need for the entire wedge to look bad so you can have a little more spin. Rust on the face is good for some people, rust all over makes the club look terrible and doesn’t benefit you in any way. But on the grip, get a hook razor blade next time, it’ll make life way easier.

[@jonlanier_]

That's what I was going to say.

[@carllicari3067]

...and a hair dryer to remove the tape in one or two pieces.

[@danjoe22]

or maybe blow the grip off with a compressor before removing the head from the shaft.

[@nathanfavela5854]

what difference does it make if its all coming off anyway, yeah its more work but it worked didnt it?@@carllicari3067

[@johnschulz8699]

It’s much more efficient and safe using something like a hooked blade in the utility knife.

[@CHIEFS8214]

DAMNATION, what a chatterbox! Excellent video 😉

[@dunningkruger3774]

I thought I had gone deaf. Then my wife came in the room.

[@acastro8968]

I watch tons of restore videos and this by far is one of my favorites. You didn’t use a sandbox which practically every other person uses and the finished product looks amazing!! Helluva job sir!!

[@armandocontreras8114]

Just subscribed, while watching your video I literally forgot about everything I had planned for the day. Stress reliever. Thank you, awesome work! Major Skill!

[@heavyq]

Vokey wedges are freaking pricey. This is a fantastic way to save $100+ on a wedge.

[@davinritter8480]

I got my vokey wedges for free we found them in the trash 😂😂😂

[@os7692]

Get mine from the goodwill right by the pointe vedra sawgrass course! ;)

[@c_turfgrass7773]

Missing the point

[@justintobin2779]

Ok so it looks amazing refinished or whatever its called but how is the performance compared to an sm8? This club has to be 15 years behind technology wise, right?

[@dixoncider7704]

@@justintobin2779 nah wedges haven’t really changed in the past 20 years other than the PM grind they have stayed pretty consistent

[@henryyueh4022]

This was a great watch!

[@wesfoor474]

Just bought a wedge today that the condition looks almost like the one in the video. Looking for a way to restore the club head and you provided a simple effective way. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@PetesProjects0]

Finished product looks terrific.

[@alexanderpope3250]

i mean rust on a 60 degree is not a bad thing

[@TreetopRestorations]

Stay tuned for part 2 where I put the rust back on.

[@squish8446]

You do have a point

[@martyflannigan5052]

if you don't want it to rust don't buy a unfinished model I have a few RTG Clevelands I like the way they play rusty and that's why I got them

[@claydecoursey2339]

Anything 56 + in my bag is rusty

[@mrblack1505]

@@ButchOC rough surface on the club face means more spin on the ball

[@DA-mk9ob]

I like the Sticky Label Removal stuff, I usually heat the old tape with a heat gun (low) easy to pull off after that

[@chrismiller8421]

Great job and detail, it’s impressive to see the effort and attention to detail is still common amongst people. Good job and to everyone saying rust is a good thing, the intent was to restore to store quality not play quality. Cheers

[@graham_hilligoss_]

I’m so impressed! Great work!

[@zachhartgolf9399]

Great video. I would recommend a hook blade for the grip removal. Safer and way easier. Also doesn’t scratch

[@bobbrown5951]

I don't think it looked as good as this in the store. Makes me re-think buying new. Great video.

[@KFC_OG]

That was super satisfying to watch. Gonna have to watch out for some old wedges and try this, looks like a fun project.

[@ryanbaranoski1293]

Amazing job. Looks great 👍🏻

[@petekenny3774]

Looks good great job 👍

[@PaulChube]

Grip on last! I dread to look down the shaft and see the grip misalignment.

[@kennymacm3031]

He aligned the grip/shaft with the head at the gluing stage

[@hungh1831]

I think what Paul is trying to say is the head could move if it hasn't dried all the way. To put the grip on while the head is being glued, you'll need a head clamp or tape. I'd also rotate the head heavy side downwards while drying so it doesn't twist

[@newmanfertig886]

Hey Wheat head, clearly you've never assembled a club in your life. What you think the epoxy sets up immediately? Clown.

[@MrOffshore]

Awesome video!! Now I need to find some old clubs to redo!! Thanks for sharing.

[@riptheripper9060]

You are a Doctor of golf clubs. Very nice.

[@MrBikedrummer]

Some of the vokey wedges were designed to rust. More grip to spin the ball.

[@justinbultman9360]

This is one of those. Vokey oil can wedges are designed to oxidize

[@creightoncampbell9276]

I would recommend getting a hook blade to remove the grips, it works really well.

[@TreetopRestorations]

Would definitely have been easier. I did try cutting the grip and pulling it off but it turned out to be pretty tough so had to cut as you see in the vid.

[@v-egaming]

Also it’s real easy to remove the paint with acetone and a wire brush. Love the video, interesting to see how other people do this stuff too

[@spookyblack215]

Just bought this same club today, 56 degree for $3 at Goodwill. Will be doing a full restore on it. Thanks for the video!

[@useryeah5350]

First video of yours I’ve come across. The way this was filmed, edited - the audio! So beautifully done. You didn’t make the chip, but definitely subscribing!

[@radar0412]

I was mesmerized by the entire restoration. And I don't carry a 60 degree!

[@RandyKekipi]

Great job on restoration of the 60 degree wedge.

[@aptn22]

This video makes me feel like I could do this, but I know can't haha. This was amazing!

[@JGunit]

Been cool to see the difference in action between rusted and clean

[@piece1309]

The way you cleaned that shaft should be X rated

[@margaretwalsh852]

hahahahahahaha

[@aedvark]

4.25 perfect, throw a shaft in lets go.

[@mikeethridge4573]

Hey! I hope you continue to make videos in the future, I really enjoy your work!

[@k.jacksonethier9958]

At 5:35, I was like “ oh nice looking wedge “. Then realized there were 4 more minutes. Lol Great work!

[@user-ez4bg1ko6z]

Beautifully done! Thanks for the video. One tip from me about removing grip: Just one sharp cut along the grip, and it comes off like that, 3 seconds job :)

[@Fried_Bananas]

Looks like he was just preserving the shaft. I got my putter regripped with a shorter grip and wasn't happy to see 2 inches of the cut exposed. I couldn't be more distracted every time I look down to putt.

[@starwf07]

@@Fried_Bananas That's why any modestly-competent club repair techs use hook blades in their utility knives. Lets you pull it in one long cut. I've regripped tons of clubs in the past and never scratched the shafts.

[@Fried_Bananas]

@@starwf07 Good to know because it was more than obvious he just ran a straight razor down the shaft. I tried being optimistic about it but it's certainly a sight that sored my eyes. I expected more from Golf Galaxy but oh well. Won't be making that mistake again.

[@MrBradysteve]

Was it hard lining the club head up to the grip after the fact? I didn’t see how that worked.

[@ericshine1]

LOVE the end of video!!!!!!!!!! I subscribed for sure!!! Great restoration... such attention to detail!!!

[@trizvfx]

wonderful restoration, you're an inspiration!

[@warholscircus]

Use a hooked blade in your utility knife, cutting away from you and it's one smooth stroke to cut the grip off. Mineral spirits are cheaper than sticky label remover, by a lot. It works as well. The grip tape should overlap the club end by about an inch. It can then be used to block sediment and particulate matter from entering into the handle of the club and constantly rattle around. Great job though, an impressive outcome. Those Vokey wedges are loved by most golfers.

[@TreetopRestorations]

But I just love the smell of sticky tape remover. It’s like I’m eating a tangerine!

[@jackiechow860]

Very satisfying! Can you list the paints used to do this?

[@TreetopRestorations]

Sure, these are Hammerite metal paints. Matte black, smooth white and smooth red.

[@printerschamp]

I enjoyed this so much. This wedge has new life in it and ready for more rounds.

[@wiseGUY1288]

New Life? It just came to life and he killed it. This club is designed to rust, it's supposed to rust.

[@jeremydowdy2821]

That label remover was the best part 😍😍😍😍 oh man I hate the residue leftover after peeling something off

[@marcherzog3663]

It was good the way it grip it and rip it !! Nice job though I have to say you got a little white in the black when painting the BV it was driving me crazy you didn’t touch that up .. hahah my OCD kicking in .. nice job

[@renmay3171]

Not that I am any kind of restorer at all, but was thinking you could have removed some of the pitting on the back and sole of the club, with a fine to medium fine belt. Then maybe heat the head up very hot and give it an oil quench. Also, next time you epoxy on the head, stand the club vertical to cure. Having it horizontal in the vise with the head up may cause the head to rotate ruining your grip alignment.

[@kaidavey6879]

Ren May I like the pitting it gives it some affect

[@herbh9348]

Nice work, love the ending.

[@markbarnes6806]

Brilliant work! Subscribed!

[@randylazer2894]

That was a beyond tremendous restoration. How much time of your labor did that entail?

[@TreetopRestorations]

Thanks! Took a few days intermittently working on it, probably 5-6 hours total if you don’t include all the faffing.

[@zeus01504]

Great video, loved the attention to detail and the process. Couple of things I do differently: - I never knew what hook stanley knife blades were for, until I found out you can run them down a grip to slice it off in one motion, handy. - When removing grip tape you can just heat it up with your blow torch or heat gun, whatever you used to remove the head, tape comes right off. - Sticky stuff remover is great but it's not as cost effective as white spirits or grip solvent, just use some of that for tape residue. - You want to fit the grip after you've glued the head, that way it's not as fiddly to alight the head and the grip logo. - It's handy to use a golf tee to get your epoxy inside the club hosel when re-shafting allows you to swirl it round better than a lollipop stick. - Always advisable to dry a newly glued head standing on the grip, that way the head won't travel in the hosel.

[@sashac3323]

Love it! Great video!

[@andreadangiola6979]

Love this video. Really nice. Love to see one also with a putter.

[@callawaygolf123]

That wedge will go back to looking exactly how it did after a few rounds. Especially if it gets any moisture on it. Raw metal

[@davidtran1360]

Can it be treated with something?

[@simonhuss9619]

U can gun blue carbon steel, but you then need to dry it and apply gun oil after each round of golf, this will also wear away over time and need re-bluing, but it will slow rusting down, to be fair the rust helps with getting bite on ball and provides bit more spin

[@LuckyCJ]

YES!! It was literally designed to look that way! Same goes for my Cleveland wedges.

[@rooboy69]

Yeah I think the video was more about the process rather than a golfer wanting to do this every few weeks

[@silentchaos1]

@@davidtran1360 why would you buy a oil can if you don't want it to rust?

[@beatrocka5]

The part of this vid that I know I could have done correctly is replacing the grip!

[@jakoblarsson5662]

Also missing the chip right?

[@biagiocozza8875]

Great job, it looks brand new, Wow!

[@lgeiger]

5$ for a 60° Titleist Vokey wedge is crazy. I have seen more rusty ones on golfbidder that were sold for at least 10 times that price. What a steal. Awesome restauration. Looks almost brand new now. I really enjoyed watching this.

[@ethanbrown3112]

What kind of paint do you use for the paint fill?

[@MC-nb6jx]

Ethan Brown ... You can get various colours of club paint off ebay👍🏻

[@NomadJoe0323]

Are you going to keep it or sell it on eBay? If you are selling it, may I ask how much? Looks great!

[@howzatrestorations1538]

Top job mate, looks great!

[@kevinbraden798]

Great job!

[@wadeboyle7026]

Do more golf clubs if u can this was very satisfying

[@DASell-uz6xg]

Wow! That was pretty damn amazing!

[@amtm4185]

So cool!

[@METALLICA3077]

please do more golf club restorations, very nice to watch. p.s. ignore the rust snobs

[@topgunne12]

They make hook blades specifically for grips! If you’ve never used one, you’re missing out.

[@louisg95]

Hook blades a for carpet fitters or felt roofing not just for removing a golf grip 😂

[@topgunne12]

louis gough Yea, we all know that. Hooks are much better for golf grips. Carpet sucks.

[@spookerz35]

Hook blades that roofers use, which fit into the same utility knife, work best for grip cutting. A few bucks for a pack of 5 at a Home Depot or equivalent.

[@coburn_karma]

Feel like I could make a hole in one with that restored club. Great tutorial and skillz.

[@inkwellflood8276]

I just purchased the near exact same club for 50p in a charity shop,only its not got the round stamp, then found this video, thanks for the tips squire. Great job.

[@canadianpoker83]

I’m subscribing because you missed that chip at the end. Great video by the way.

[@anon11_2]

How much would it take for you to do this to my entire set

[@mr.babycolonte7190]

That clean Raw look is just so nice

[@THEWORKSSHOP]

Nice work!

[@holdenpanelvanman]

By sharpening the grooves you have now changed them and the club therefore is not fit to play in tournaments as it is now has illegal grooves.

[@michaelboen2314]

Thank you! I was thinking the same thing! A 60 is not the proper club to restore. They lose value so quick and restored ones usually are no longer regulation

[@StevieDahlen]

Because he’s clearly looking to prepare this club for tournament play. Mmmmk

[@mofobecks]

I’ve played hundreds of open competitions and nobody has ever checked the grooves on my 60 degree vokey wedges

[@becausegang7266]

Ding ding ding, we have found that guy folks!

[@j51969]

Easy Karen

[@krotos6134]

5 dollars for that club is a bargain

[@02mrios]

Great video good job looks very nice

[@ArtursBondars]

Awesome, well done!

[@leonardodic3po607]

Enjoyable video, but I was puzzled by the fact that you ignored the club face itself (I did see that you sharpened the grooves), which is the most important aspect of a 60 degree wedge. Depending on player preference, it should either be uniformly smooth, or uniformly textured. You left yours in a condition that was somewhere in between.

[@pigslefats]

which in this case is going to change daily as it rusts daily-strange point you make

[@leonardodic3po607]

@@pigslefats Read this: www.golf-monthly.co.uk/videos/gear-video/truth-rusty-wedges Rusty or not-rusty (plated) is all up to player preference. However, it's a choice to be made, yet the poster appeared to make no choice.

[@aaronjones6983]

The taking off the grip gave me anxiety. Hook blade away from you and heat up the tape to remove.

[@bswordsman4320]

This video was very relaxing. Thank you.

[@MrSexyreyes]

Yup, subscribing. Thank you for the content

[@bertdutchie]

I've heard steel wool will remove a club's finish and it'll rust even faster next time, any truth to that?

[@TreetopRestorations]

This particular club is ‘raw’ which means that it has no protective coating so there isn’t anything to remove. If a club is treated then you’re right, there’s a chance that any protection could be removed by steel wool.

[@williamdiorio6559]

You don't need something "fancy" to remove sticky. WD-40 does the same thing. Used it 100's of times for the purpose shown. Good Luck

[@nathanclaar7117]

Great video, looking to touch up my wedges as a winter project. I’d think about installing the grip after the head is reinstalled. It may be easier to align the grip to a square club face vs trying to square the club face based on grip position.

[@David.lovesU]

Use WD40 or threading oil when sharpening with tungsten bit

[@MrHITACHI75]

What a brilliant video Cracking job you done on the wedge

[@e24kgold]

You clearly need a hook razor. Scotch brite wheel too.

[@TreetopRestorations]

You’re not wrong!

[@timlynch2841]

homeboy needs a hook blade

[@johnschulz8699]

Okay, that ending was funny. Good video!

[@MrJustliketht]

That was so satisfying to watch

[@spindrifter3395]

The point of a raw club is to rust.

[@MC-nb6jx]

Spindrifter ... I take it you didn’t read the explanation into what he was doing??🤦🏻‍♂️

[@michaelboen2314]

He picked the wrong club to restore. It's made to be rusty. I wouldn't buy it i knew it was restored

[@MC-nb6jx]

Michael Boen ... It’s just a video dude, no need to get so upset about it🤣🤣

[@themuscovyducks]

@@michaelboen2314 depending on the restoration process you could prevent the rust from reoccurring. I think in this case it isn't bad what he did if he's just experimenting

[@michaelboen2314]

@@themuscovyducks that makes no sense since it was manufactured specifically to rust.

[@lonkylaine]

Why restore? Rust actually helps to have more bite on the ball and more spin. Taylormade even released a wedge that rust on purpose.

[@Blakeus123]

Not at all true, it’s the lack of plating that adds spin 😂

[@utdminiman]

Quite like the look of a Vokey without any paint in the decals, tempted to do it to mine

[@CrimeTape]

That's a fantastic job. 👏