Air compressor grips - Scotch brand Contractor grade masking tape OK?

NRJyzr · January 22

1 hour ago, SAM_PGA said:

Thanks for the video, but won't work for my use. The OP is referring to the use of buildup tape using "air compressor" grips, IE., Star Grips or Pure Grips. This is what I'm referring to as well. Air compressor installed only.

Sure it will. It's all about extrapolating the points behind each section of the video, and not taking each portion literally.

In your case, my view is that the key point is the slippage of the grip. It doesn't matter that you've used buildup tape. I've installed mine without buildup tape, Sidewinders, Royal Grip cords, Lamkin Crosslines, various leather grip models, and so on, and have occasionally had slippage. To counter that, I use a small application of contact cement along the sides of the grip, and at the butt end, to keep those grips in place.

I brush it pretty lightly along the sides, you don't need all that much.

The other key point is that the contact cement will break loose when you remove grips with air. That's problematic when using standard grip tape and solvent installations.

To me, it's the best of both worlds. You remove the worry about slippage and you can still pull and reuse the grips with little problem.

ode1 · January 22

1 hour ago, NRJyzr said:

Sure it will. It's all about extrapolating the points behind each section of the video, and not taking each portion literally.

In your case, my view is that the key point is the slippage of the grip. It doesn't matter that you've used buildup tape. I've installed mine without buildup tape, Sidewinders, Royal Grip cords, Lamkin Crosslines, various leather grip models, and so on, and have occasionally had slippage. To counter that, I use a small application of contact cement along the sides of the grip, and at the butt end, to keep those grips in place.

I brush it pretty lightly along the sides, you don't need all that much.

The other key point is that the contact cement will break loose when you remove grips with air. That's problematic when using standard grip tape and solvent installations.

To me, it's the best of both worlds. You remove the worry about slippage and you can still pull and reuse the grips with little problem.

I don't want to poo poo the pure/star grips as there seems to be *some indication these should get installed on to bare metal 🤔....but I don't know if that is an actual thing vs. an implied benefit of using air with those two brands and ease of installation.....or is there something in those two grips/compounds that make them better over bare metal🤔. Of course those of us that build up that does not work in any application. I use a Jumbomax Ultralite on my driver only and built up OS on everything else including mitigating the taper (have always hated Pure grips for that reason as those have what I would consider extreme taper).

Bad9 · January 22

2 hours ago, ode1 said:

The vid shows several different applications air, no air, double sided tape, and painters tape. It could still apply.

Once I run out of masking tape I will switch to painters. I will also get some contact cement to use but likely only on grips that have been pulled.

I have been blowing grips on for 20yrs and have never used any lubricant or adhesive. With .580 core grips and .600 butt shafts I didn't use masking tape and they were just fine. Now that I have to use .600 core grips I generally use 2 wraps of blue 3m painters tape. Don't have any issues with grips slipping. Many of the tips I read on here (and in many of the videos posted) makes it far more complicated than my experience has been.

Ger21 · January 22

7 hours ago, SAM_PGA said:

I used blue painters tape to build up Star Grip Sindwinders and the butt end of all of the grips would move over time.

I played Star Sidewinders the last two years, with no movement at all.
I don't have any tape at the butt end, but I built up all the steps in my X100's to .600 all the way down. I also built up the lower hand with 3 wraps. So while there's no tape at the butt end, the other 70% under the grip is all blue tape.
One thing about blowing on Star grips, is that is can be tricky to get them on all the way, because the butt end is so soft. Maybe you don't have them on all the way? After I blow them on, I work the butt end down vigorously with my thumbs to make sure it's on all the way, then give another shot of air and push it good and firm below the butt end to make sure it's on all the way.

Ri_Redneck · January 22

On 1/20/2025 at 7:13 AM, Ger21 said:

When the time comes to remove it, you'll wish you had spent $3 more for blue tape.

This. The adhesive can get rock hard and is almost impossible to get off the shaft. Painters tape holds really well, but still lets go, with no residue, when you remove it.

BT

absoludicrous · January 23

4 hours ago, Ger21 said:

One thing about blowing on Star grips, is that is can be tricky to get them on all the way, because the butt end is so soft. Maybe you don't have them on all the way? After I blow them on, I work the butt end down vigorously with my thumbs to make sure it's on all the way, then give another shot of air and push it good and firm below the butt end to make sure it's on all the way.

I did notice that as well. Now I’m wondering if that is the case because I have some that don’t move at all and some that I have to keep fixing every couple of rounds. I’ll keep an eye out next regrip.

Cwebb · January 23

7 hours ago, Bad9 said:

I have been blowing grips on for 20yrs and have never used any lubricant or adhesive. With .580 core grips and .600 butt shafts I didn't use masking tape and they were just fine. Now that I have to use .600 core grips I generally use 2 wraps of blue 3m painters tape. Don't have any issues with grips slipping. Many of the tips I read on here (and in many of the videos posted) makes it far more complicated than my experience has been.

Some put a lot more force into the grip during a swing....and it's not always dictated by club-head speed. This is where the differences can occur, where one player never has a grip move vs others who will always eventually get some twisting.

Similar to how some players can put a wear spot into grips and others don't

SAM_PGA · January 23

I tend to believe it is the delivery of the club through impact and my release that tends to move the butt end of the Star Grip Sidewinder built up with Blue Painters Tape.

Two years ago I tried the TourStar360 from Star Grip and install directly to the bare shaft. For me it’s the perfect size with a larger lower hand. ZERO issues after two years which includes a couple re-grips and re-shafts!

ScooterMcTavish · January 24

On 1/20/2025 at 2:42 PM, ThinkingPlus said:

I wish I could find a textured masking or painter's tape. Despite using multiple layers, I get upper grip twisting.

Solution is to use what I use - which is duct tape. Believe it is close to the equivalent of two wraps.

Once the grip is on, the texture of the tape keeps it in place.

When changing grips, it's still as good as when first put on.

Plus it does add a little cushion under the hands.