The thing about wood is that it’s a natural material. It will inevitably be exposed to certain elements. You can’t prevent a wooden baseball bat from getting a little wet or a little dirty. The trick is knowing how to take care of it.
You try to get away with using it one more time, but when you swing, the bat breaks in half. This might seem like the end of your bat.
Treat it right, and it’ll serve you for years. So what do you need to know to restore a wooden baseball bat? We’ll take a look at that in this blog.
Tips to restore a wooden baseball bat
1. Remove any broken pieces
Before you start, remove any broken pieces of wood. While you’re at it, look for cracks or blemishes in your bat. Cracks or blemishes can not only affect performance but are also more likely to split while you’re using it.
If you do notice any, there are two different solutions: epoxy resin and fiberglass. Epoxy resin is excellent if your crack is small, while fiberglass will be better if your crack is large or unevenly shaped. Either way, these fillers will restore your bat’s strength while maintaining its flexibility and structural integrity.
2. Polish cracked wood
A cracked wooden bat is less likely to break when you take it back out onto the field, but you should still get it restored or have it replaced. If your bat’s wood has cracks in it, carefully smooth them out with fine-grit sandpaper.
Start with coarse-grit sandpaper until you have smooth wood again. Try not to overdo it by creating deep scratches that can weaken or split your bat’s fibers.
Sand just enough for a smooth finish, not shiny smoothness. It doesn’t hurt if some small ridges are left behind. These will make the next step easier.
3. Refinish old bat paint
Refinishing an old baseball bat is one of several ways you can restore it to like-new condition. All you need is some quality paint, sandpaper, and some elbow grease.
We recommend using wood putty to fill in small chips or cracks in your wooden bat, but make sure you’re not applying too much pressure when sanding your baseball bat.
For an optimal finish, we suggest using lacquer paint that is specifically formulated for wood. Once your lacquer dries completely (it should be dry after 24 hours), give it another coat for added protection.
Keep your newly restored wooden baseball bat clean by wiping it down with warm water and soap once every month or so.
4. Brush on some Tru-Oil for extra protection
In terms of restoring a wooden baseball bat, one of your best options is Tru-Oil. It’s not only non-toxic and safe for use, but it also penetrates deeply into wood pores.
If you want to restore your bat without changing its color, choose Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil. Whether your bat naturally: After using Tru-Oil or another wood sealant, let your bat dry outside in direct sunlight for a few days before using it again.
You’ll prevent cracking and other damage by weathering it naturally while strengthening its resilience against wear and tear over time.
5. Sand the bat until it is smooth again
Wood that is well taken care of doesn’t become rough. If you find that your bat has begun to lose its smoothness, you’ll need to sand it down for it to regain its original condition.
It is recommended, do not to use power tools when sanding, but if you feel comfortable using them, by all means, go ahead! You may want to purchase some extra batting gloves for protection when holding onto your bat while it’s covered in pieces of wood. It will take multiple passes with fine-grit sandpaper over multiple days until your bat is smooth again.
6. Reinforce your bat with fiberglass resin
To restore an old wooden baseball bat with fiberglass resin, mix one part of fiberglass resin and two parts hardener in a bowl. Add more hardener if necessary so that it is similar in consistency to toothpaste.
Apply evenly over your bat. Let it dry completely and sand it down when you’re finished. Your bat should now be much stronger than before and able to hit more balls than ever before!
7. Soak the bat in water
The most important thing restoring a wooden baseball bat is thoroughly soaked in water. For best results, submerge your bat for about six hours.
This will help loosen up any rust or other contaminants that may be impeding its performance. You should always make sure that your bat is completely dry before putting it back into use.
If any moisture remains, you may end up with an unsightly brown ring around your barrel and, even worse, risk corrosion and structural damage to your bat’s handle and barrel. Wipe down: Use rubbing alcohol and cotton balls when wiping down your bat.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed our blog about how to restore a wooden baseball bat. Whether you have a broken bat or a bat that has been lost or damaged, we hope this guide helps you restore your bat to its former glory.
If you have any further questions on this topic, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for reading. We are excited when one of our posts can provide helpful information on a topic like this!
I have my grandfathers old bat from the 50’s. It was split when he hit the home run I am guessing (tongue in cheek). I would like to restore it with engraving etc. Any suggestions? I not sure I agree with soaking the bat in water prior to restoration
Hi, Thanks for the Question.
First, you have to ensure your bat whether it is clean and dust-free. Apply Beeswax Polish to your bat with a cotton cloth, rubbing into the wood in the direction of the grain. Let the Beeswax Polish sit for 3-4 minutes, then buff over the surface of the bat with a cloth to restore the luster of the wood.
A precise & well-wrtitten post. Thanks heaps for sharing it.