Lab Putter Paint/Anodized finish Durability

[gs1184]

I recently got a Lab putter, which has been fantastic. However after minimal use i am starting to see a couple of paint chips. Does anyone else have this issue? I religiously use the putter cover after every time I use it. 

 

I wonder if they have touch up paint. I have the blue color one.

 

 

Edited April 28 by gs1184

[MattM97]

They're anodized not painted. 

[StoutKing]

56 minutes ago, gs1184 said:

I recently got a Lab putter, which has been fantastic. However after minimal use i am starting to see a couple of paint chips. Does anyone else have this issue? I religiously use the putter cover after every time I use it. 

 

I wonder if they have touch up paint. I have the blue color one.

 

 

I've had three LABs, all in black and no damage to the anodized finish yet.  I'm super careful though.

[prouse25]

I have that blue finish in a DF3. Played for over a year with no issues. 

[marionmg]

8 hours ago, gs1184 said:

I recently got a Lab putter, which has been fantastic. However after minimal use i am starting to see a couple of paint chips. Does anyone else have this issue? I religiously use the putter cover after every time I use it. 

 

I wonder if they have touch up paint. I have the blue color one.

 

 

Cart paths are tough on putters 😂 jk

[ilikegolf26]

I’ve had several LAB putters over the last 4 years or so and never have had a problem with the finish coming off. 

[gs1184]

10 hours ago, marionmg said:

Cart paths are tough on putters 😂 jk

What you mean i cant wipe my putters on the cart path? 😁

 

I plan on calling Lab support to see what they advise.

 

I took a few better pictures of the putter:

 

[SEP1006]

I have a Mezz Max and take meticulous care of it as well as all my clubs. The Putter cover doesn't come off until it's time to putt. And afterwards the putter is wiped clean and cover back on until the next hole. But still the color has started to come off on one of the top edges. My buddies Mezz is worse than mine. And I've seen several at my club in the same condition. I've had my PXG putter for 4 years and it still looks brand new.

 

I do love the putter but for what they cost the anodizing doesn't hold up very well at all.

[MiloMalt]

12 hours ago, SEP1006 said:

I have a Mezz Max and take meticulous care of it as well as all my clubs. The Putter cover doesn't come off until it's time to putt. And afterwards the putter is wiped clean and cover back on until the next hole. But still the color has started to come off on one of the top edges. My buddies Mezz is worse than mine. And I've seen several at my club in the same condition. I've had my PXG putter for 4 years and it still looks brand new.

 

I do love the putter but for what they cost the anodizing doesn't hold up very well at all.

Same with my mezz max, tiny little upper corner starting to silver (black model) I think it is caused by the headcover

[SEP1006]

2 minutes ago, MiloMalt said:

Same with my mezz max, tiny little upper corner starting to silver (black model) I think it is caused by the headcover

 

 

Funny as I was thinking the same thing. First I thought I might have somehow gotten a piece of dirt or something in there. But of course there wasn't. I may try and find me a looser head cover.

 

 

[BBO]

5 hours ago, MiloMalt said:

Same with my mezz max, tiny little upper corner starting to silver (black model) I think it is caused by the headcover

An anodized surface should not wear from something soft like a putter cover. I wonder if the vendor they are using for anodizing has not been properly prepping the heads to keep up with the increased demands. I would contact LAB even if just to notify them of a potential QC issue.

[Rory4Pres]

A lot of putter manufacturers avoid aluminum heads because of the potential issues.  In certain conditions (usually wet, humid, etc), the aluminum can get "white rust", which, when then anodized can cause discoloring or surface issues over time.  Aluminum is also softer, so it's easy to ding the putter.  

 

That being said, aluminum is lighter in weight, ideal for larger heads like LAB.  It also offers a unique feel compared to stainless and carbon.  

 

I believe Lab offers a warranty for either 6 or 12 months.  

[tdeutmeyer]

I'm surprised LAB doesn't hardcoat anodize these heads.  I have sent aluminum machined parts out to get this and the finish is so tough you almost can't mark it with a metal file.

[MattM97]

2 hours ago, tdeutmeyer said:

I'm surprised LAB doesn't hardcoat anodize these heads.  I have sent aluminum machined parts out to get this and the finish is so tough you almost can't mark it with a metal file.

 

Going to assume the increased thickness changes the feel/sound and the added cost to each head as well. 

[iteachgolf]

36 minutes ago, MattM97 said:

 

Going to assume the increased thickness changes the feel/sound and the added cost to each head as well. 

purely cost would be the reason. And colors are tougher.  It’s .001” thick. Their machining tolerances are probably slightly looser than that so would be non issue. 

[Phebus]

1 hour ago, iteachgolf said:

purely cost would be the reason. And colors are tougher.  It’s .001” thick. Their machining tolerances are probably slightly looser than that so would be non issue. 

For what they charge, I’d think they could absorb the little extra. At their level of production I couldn’t imagine it would be that much more. 

[gs1184]

Got a reply from Lab. They are going to replace the head on my putter. Already sent me a return label. I will keep you all posted on the experience.

[Fairways_and_Greens]

I have the bronze finish. I don't have chipping, but the anodizing on edges is wearing off just from going in and out of the putter cover. It's pretty annoying. I wish I got the silver color so it would be less noticeable. 

[jjjgolf500]

I have had a few and never had an issue. Even hit a few things and expected to have a chip, but nothing. Maybe I have just been lucky!

[SEP1006]

Yeh I think due to the design on the Mezz and Mezz Maxx the head cover definitely wears the anodizing off the edges. Pretty sad that you pay that much for a putter and something as simple as putting the head cover off and on wears the color off the edges.

 

Poor finish for sure, not good LAB !!!!!

[BlkNGld]

I've seen a lot of LABs with signs of wear, and it baffles me.   I've got cookware with anodized exterior that's decades old, been pulled across cast iron grates heated repeatedly and there's no sign of wear.   

 

Now to be fair it's never visited the dishwasher and I've seen what happens to anodized metal when people ignore that advice, so it wouldn't surprise me if some discoloration could appear if the putter isn't wiped down regularly, but I don't get what looks like edge wear.

 

Metallurgy isn't my strong suit though, hopefully someone more knowledgeable can chime in.

[MiloMalt]

I take near perfect care of my putter, this is a bit over 2 years old and here is the wear which I believe is caused by the soft LAB headcover. I've seen 2 other Mezz putters with wear in the exact same corner. 

[Ben B]

In the world of finishes, no matter what the finish is, you simply cannot build finish on hard (square, angular) edges such as the corners of square table legs, square edges of trim. Finish cannot sit on the corner and flows to the flat surfaces. 

 

Unfortunately, this is the area that will see the most wear becuase it is the part of the surface that comes into contact with other things and nuturally there is less protective finish. Look at any tabletop, door/window trim, corners of table legs, ect....this is where you see wear.

 

Now, anodizing is different than most finishes as it is an electrochemical process that puts an oxide layer on the surface of the metal. But again, that layer is going to be less on the hard corners as there are less pores on that edge for the oxide layer to bond to. I'd imagine if LAB were to round these edges over, this might no be an issue. But yes, putting the putter in an out of a cover is going to wear the sharpe corners quicker than the rest of the putter as the photos show. 

[StoutKing]

5 hours ago, MiloMalt said:

I take near perfect care of my putter, this is a bit over 2 years old and here is the wear which I believe is caused by the soft LAB headcover. I've seen 2 other Mezz putters with wear in the exact same corner. 

That actually looks good IMO.  More of a patina

[SEP1006]

7 hours ago, MiloMalt said:

I take near perfect care of my putter, this is a bit over 2 years old and here is the wear which I believe is caused by the soft LAB headcover. I've seen 2 other Mezz putters with wear in the exact same corner. 

 

 

Exactly how mine looks but it's only a couple months old.

 

 

[gs1184]

Update: Lab replaced the head of my putter and now all's well. Their support is as awesome as their putter.

[gs1184]

I'm not sure what is going on. Maybe I am doing something wrong. Played a few rounds with the putter and there's already another nick on the upper tip of the face and some paint imperfections on the aiming lines. Maybe i am just nitpicking. 

[MattM97]

7 hours ago, gs1184 said:

I'm not sure what is going on. Maybe I am doing something wrong. Played a few rounds with the putter and there's already another nick on the upper tip of the face and some paint imperfections on the aiming lines. Maybe i am just nitpicking. 

 

That's 100% on you especially with that black scuff. Are you keeping the head cover on? Are you walking to the green with a bunch of clubs in hand and just dropping them? Is there sand in the head cover or on the putter when you put it away?

 

I'm looking at mine, I've taken it on a trip, I've used it a bunch recently and I'm struggling to find any scratches like that on mine. A few teeny tiny dings on the back half but that from usage. 

[gs1184]

Cover is always on religiously when I am not using it. I make sure to wipe the head after each hole especially on wet days. 

 

Maybe I didnt wipe enough. Who knows. Answers my question on durability though. I have had many putters both mallet and anser style and never had one so quickly scuffed as this one. 

 

Putter is the best putter I have ever used otherwise. 

[Putter Addict]

56 minutes ago, gs1184 said:

Cover is always on religiously when I am not using it. I make sure to wipe the head after each hole especially on wet days. 

 

Maybe I didnt wipe enough. Who knows. Answers my question on durability though. I have had many putters both mallet and anser style and never had one so quickly scuffed as this one. 

 

Putter is the best putter I have ever used otherwise. 

Are you using the same towel that you use for other clubs (wedges, etc.)? Maybe some debris is on the towel and you are basically running that across the putter each time you wipe it down. I personally just use my hand to wipe my putter off, but I also don't have a LAB. Either way never had finish problems.