Air grip removal gone wrong! LOL

[BrendanH]

So I decided to see if my existing automotive tire inflator would work for removing a grip. The results were erm, interesting 

 

This was a grip I installed myself with a single layer of double sided tape using the traditional solvent approach. I would love some input on how to get better results (for obvious reasons!). Are the MCC grips just not well suited to this, or could my compressor be too powerful? It claims it can go up to 150psi, which sounds like an awful lot...

 

[Tzoid]

This is pretty common if you don't use a "Sleeve" or "Cylinder" over the grip with solvent before attempting to remove with compressed air. I use a vacuum cleaner attachment that is slightly larger than the grip and slide it over before pressurizing the grip.  I put mineral spirits in the grip hole and let it sit at least 5 minutes as well. 

 

I have had grips explode in the garage and it sounds like a .22LR 🙂 

 

 

[Ger21]

1) Set the compressor to 35psi max.

2) Use a solvent in the end along with the pressure, and slowly break the grip loose by twisting it, starting at the butt end.

 

Trying to blow taped on grips off without solvent is asking for trouble, as they'll just balloon at the least bonded area, and it takes a lot of pressure to break the tape bond.

[BrendanH]

1 minute ago, Ger21 said:

1) Set the compressor to 35psi max.

2) Use a solvent in the end along with the pressure, and slowly break the grip loose by twisting it, starting at the butt end.

 

Trying to blow taped on grips off without solvent is asking for trouble, as they'll just balloon at the least bonded area, and it takes a lot of pressure to break the tape bond.

 

5 minutes ago, Tzoid said:

This is pretty common if you don't use a "Sleeve" or "Cylinder" over the grip with solvent before attempting to remove with compressed air. I use a vacuum cleaner attachment that is slightly larger than the grip and slide it over before pressurizing the grip.  I put mineral spirits in the grip hole and let it sit at least 5 minutes as well. 

 

I have had grips explode in the garage and it sounds like a .22LR 🙂 

 

 

 

Thanks guys. Unfortunately I cannot set the max pressure on this compressor so I guess I need another one. Is 35psi generally what I should be aiming for? I seem to recall a YouTube video (can't remember by who) saying to get at least 50 psi. Sounded high even at 50, but I wouldn't know...

 

If you have any specific model recommendations I could look at, that would be great.

[BrendanH]

One other question - if I only wanted to use the compressor to install grips, I'm guessing the max pressure would be less of a concern since the air can escape?

[rainkingjr]

Once a grip is installed using double sided tape, it's nearly impossible to remove it with compressed air without problems like this unless you first flood the inside on the grip with solvent to break the bond.  I purchased this tool from Golfworks and use this method. Works like a charm. 

 

[speedeuphoria]

1 hour ago, BrendanH said:

One other question - if I only wanted to use the compressor to install grips, I'm guessing the max pressure would be less of a concern since the air can escape?

I did a couple sets myself and for cheap tour velvet style I set my inflator to 40psi or so otherwise they will start ballooning during install. Think I set for 45psi for others also. Not positive on exact psi numbers

 

For removing glued grips I just cut off as it was my 1st time 

Edited July 19, 2024 by speedeuphoria

[AdamMH]

42 minutes ago, Ger21 said:

1) Set the compressor to 35psi max.

It's probably worth noting that the pressure needed can vary a lot depending on what air attachment is used and what grips are being installed/removed...

... good example of this - butt of the grips don't really hold pressure for me as I'm using a tapered inflation nozzle, most grips I've used need to be around 50psi due to leakage and (GASP) my Gripmaster underlistings had to be pushed to 75psi to install. I imagine this wouldn't be the case for something like a PURE grip attachement.

YMMV - safety first and I'm not advocating anybody else go to 75psi with their grips.

Edited July 19, 2024 by AdamMH

[subrew]

I buy new-old-stock graphite hybrid shafts, that I use for building many of my iron sets.  I like light weight and softer flex shafts, and found this to be a great option.  Lots of older upcharge hybrid shafts that were $100+ each, on sale for $10 each.  I remove the adapters, and often have to remove grips if I'm butt trimming.

 

Couple of tips:

 

-I have a tall but narrow thermos I fill with hot water from the tea kettle.  Put 3-4 shafts in the thermos for a few minutes.  That's all it takes to soften an older grip a bit, and relax the glue on the tape.  I don't need to use any solvent this way.

 

-I use a small 18 Ryobi tire inflator, with a small aluminum bit I turned on the mini lathe that fits tightly inside the grip.  Only takes 2-5 seconds of pulling the trigger on the inflator to bump up to 20-30psi.  My adapter holds pressure too, so I can just leave it in place with the pressure sustaining.

 

-I use a 12" piece of small cardboard tube over the grip.  Probably started life as a wrapping paper tube.  It keeps any sections of the grip from ballooning up like the picture above shows.  You can hear the grip start to loosen after 5-10 seconds.

 

 

I went from wrestling grips for 5 minutes each, to pulling a grip in 10-15 seconds with minimal effort.

 

 

Edited July 19, 2024 by subrew

[etodd]

I've had grips blow up in the past... Literally a, "can't hear for 10 minutes" type of blow up. Definitely have to be careful and wear some plugs.

[Cwebb]

 Take a "push pin" and make several pin holes down and around the grip.  This way if any bubbling is  trying to start, it will have a great chance to escape out of one of the holes

[Archimedes65]

Never heard of this.  Why do you use air rather than just cutting the grip off?  Takes me about 10 seconds to remove a grip with the blade.  Same with replacing it.

[Tzoid]

2 minutes ago, Archimedes65 said:

Never heard of this.  Why do you use air rather than just cutting the grip off?  Takes me about 10 seconds to remove a grip with the blade.  Same with replacing it.

This is for reusing grips not throwing them away.... 

[Phabs]

2 minutes ago, Archimedes65 said:

Never heard of this.  Why do you use air rather than just cutting the grip off?  Takes me about 10 seconds to remove a grip with the blade.  Same with replacing it.

They’re saving the grip my man. 

[Archimedes65]

1 minute ago, Phabs said:

They’re saving the grip my man. 

 

Ah, got it.  I didn’t know people reused grips.

[Ger21]

48 minutes ago, Cwebb said:

Take a "push pin" and make several pin holes down and around the grip.  This way if any bubbling is  trying to start, it will have a great chance to escape out of one of the holes

Those holes will also now prevent you from blowing off the grip, as the air just runs out the holes instead of lifting the grip.

[Cwebb]

7 minutes ago, Ger21 said:

Those holes will also now prevent you from blowing off the grip, as the air just runs out the holes instead of lifting the grip.

 

No.  Actually they don't

[subrew]

1 hour ago, Archimedes65 said:

 

Ah, got it.  I didn’t know people reused grips.

 

In my case I'm buying nearly new old stock upcharge shafts that have say a titleist hybrid adapter on them, and a barely used good grip.  If I want to butt trim, I can pull the grip quickly and reuse it.  Sometimes I'm buying in bulk with multiple store discount codes and free shipping, so the entire shaft with new grip costs less than just buying a single new grip.  

[596]

3 hours ago, rainkingjr said:

Once a grip is installed using double sided tape, it's nearly impossible to remove it with compressed air without problems like this unless you first flood the inside on the grip with solvent to break the bond.  I purchased this tool from Golfworks and use this method. Works like a charm. 

 

This tool takes about 2 minutes to remove a grip. I do it all the time.  Even on Jumbo Max grips that are not flexible.  I use minimal grip tape.  I do use air to blow on Jumbo Max Ultralight extra large grips.

[llewol007]

There are a few things already mentioned that could be the cause. High pressure, older Multicompounds typically lose their stretch and this can happen as a result. Have a guard or a pipe around the grip to keep the air equally distributed. 

[alittleoverpar]

I've blown grips on and off for years.  In general it's more difficult with corded grips.  Many good tips above for loosening the tape if your grip was traditionally installed.  Once you get them off just use standard masking tape underneath and you can easily blow them on and off at will.

 

 

[snafu34]

You can safely remove just about ANY grip if you wrap it as in this photo,  Impossible to blow it up.  Well- at least I know If have never had one deform.

[bekgolf]

7 hours ago, subrew said:

I buy new-old-stock graphite hybrid shafts, that I use for building many of my iron sets.  I like light weight and softer flex shafts, and found this to be a great option.  Lots of older upcharge hybrid shafts that were $100+ each, on sale for $10 each.  I remove the adapters, and often have to remove grips if I'm butt trimming.

 

Couple of tips:

 

-I have a tall but narrow thermos I fill with hot water from the tea kettle.  Put 3-4 shafts in the thermos for a few minutes.  That's all it takes to soften an older grip a bit, and relax the glue on the tape.  I don't need to use any solvent this way.

 

-I use a small 18 Ryobi tire inflator, with a small aluminum bit I turned on the mini lathe that fits tightly inside the grip.  Only takes 2-5 seconds of pulling the trigger on the inflator to bump up to 20-30psi.  My adapter holds pressure too, so I can just leave it in place with the pressure sustaining.

 

-I use a 12" piece of small cardboard tube over the grip.  Probably started life as a wrapping paper tube.  It keeps any sections of the grip from ballooning up like the picture above shows.  You can hear the grip start to loosen after 5-10 seconds.

 

 

I went from wrestling grips for 5 minutes each, to pulling a grip in 10-15 seconds with minimal effort.

 

 

 

I'm going to remember the hot water trick for next time.  Good tip!

 

 

[downbylaw11]

blowing on grips is not very easy or possible with certain kinds of grips. tour wraps work great and theyre fairly easy to break the bond and blow off as well. but the harder compounds i found didnt work for me, and specifically mcc grips, though i imagine if i could get some solvent down there it would probably work.  using a sleeve is important for the previously mentioned reasons.

 

buying the golfworks grip remover tool is a must for any hobbyist as it was an absolute game changer for me. some grips ive done with it have come off in 10-15 seconds which is really just as fast as blowing them off sometimes, and its certainly less risky than blowing off, especially with 150psi of air

[Stuart_G]

On 7/19/2024 at 10:33 AM, BrendanH said:

 Unfortunately I cannot set the max pressure on this compressor so I guess I need another one.

 

No, you just need a pressure regulator.

 

e.g.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-4-in-Black-Air-Compressor-Regulator-with-Gauge-HDA70900AV/100082550

 

[wjmfour1]

On 7/19/2024 at 11:20 AM, subrew said:

I buy new-old-stock graphite hybrid shafts, that I use for building many of my iron sets.  I like light weight and softer flex shafts, and found this to be a great option.  Lots of older upcharge hybrid shafts that were $100+ each, on sale for $10 each.  I remove the adapters, and often have to remove grips if I'm butt trimming.

 

Couple of tips:

 

-I have a tall but narrow thermos I fill with hot water from the tea kettle.  Put 3-4 shafts in the thermos for a few minutes.  That's all it takes to soften an older grip a bit, and relax the glue on the tape.  I don't need to use any solvent this way.

 

-I use a small 18 Ryobi tire inflator, with a small aluminum bit I turned on the mini lathe that fits tightly inside the grip.  Only takes 2-5 seconds of pulling the trigger on the inflator to bump up to 20-30psi.  My adapter holds pressure too, so I can just leave it in place with the pressure sustaining.

 

-I use a 12" piece of small cardboard tube over the grip.  Probably started life as a wrapping paper tube.  It keeps any sections of the grip from ballooning up like the picture above shows.  You can hear the grip start to loosen after 5-10 seconds.

 

 

I went from wrestling grips for 5 minutes each, to pulling a grip in 10-15 seconds with minimal effort.

 

 

By new old stock hybrid shafts are you referring the TaylorMade TP taper shafts?

[ChaosTheory]

I did it for years with a tire inflator.  It’s fine, no need for a regulator or a compressor.  Just slip a short section of 1.5 inch PVC pipe over the grip.  You can buy short pieces at the big box home improvement stores.  I have a rare piece of 1.25 inch which fits nicely over standard grips.  The bubble will still form but usually it stays contained enough that it’s not permanent.

 

Squirt a small amount of mineral spirits into the vent hole first.

 

With a compressor and containment sleeve, I find anything less than 50 psi to be completely ineffective.

[BrendanH]

On 7/22/2024 at 2:13 AM, Stuart_G said:

 

No, you just need a pressure regulator.

 

e.g.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-4-in-Black-Air-Compressor-Regulator-with-Gauge-HDA70900AV/100082550

 

 

I was wondering about that. Thanks!

[BrendanH]

Thanks to everyone who replied and provided useful input. I tried again today using a 1.25" I.D. Vinyl Tube as protection from an explosive failure  I also soaked the grip end of the club in very hot water for about 5 mins before attempting to remove the grip. It was a noticeable improvement for sure, but despite being as careful as possible there was still some excessive stretching of the softer parts of the lower end of the MCC grip. These areas were stretched beyond where they could recover their shape so the grip was not reusable. I think these grips just might not be well suited to removal and reuse after a traditional installation. At least not in my hands 

 

That excessive stretching of the softer areas of the grip did get me thinking that unless the grip could be very effectively restrained while pressurized, even if any stretching appeared to subside to the grip's normal shape it still may not perform as intended. In my case it was obvious the grip was not reusable, but I could certainly see a scenario where it might appear to be back to normal after removal but in fact could have scattered areas where the rubber no longer resists torque or stretching as intended.

 

I also picked up that grip removal tool linked above by @rainkingjr and it worked quite well. I was able to remove grips relatively easily, although it did tend to leave a bit of a mess inside the grip afterwards. I need a good way to clean that out for it to be an attractive solution moving forward but I have a plan in the works for that  

 

Thanks again for all the help folks...