clean up an old set of irons

[clearwaterms]

I have an older set of irons that I would like to clean up. They are not terribly beat on, just caked on dirt and filth. I don't have a golf club cleaning brush, Can I use fine steel wool, like what is used to smooth out poly urethane in wood working? I am talking 0 or 0000 (what I have in my house)

My intent is to soak them in a soapy solution for about 15 minutes and then go at them with either a scoth brite pad or a terry towel, followed by a rinse or rinse repeat.

The clubs are older Dyna Craft copperhead CUs so they have a satin like finish.

thank you

[Stacey_E]

I've always had good luck with straight hot water, as hot as you can get it, and a nylon brush. It doesn't have to be one specific to golf clubs. I also add a little dish detergent for a sudsing action. FWIW even scotchbrite pads can scratch a finish, I made that mistake once.

If you do soak the heads, try not to let the water in the bucket come up to or above the ferules (little black things above the hosel). If you soak them up that high, water could get down in the hosel and effect the bonding of the shaft to the head.

So try water as hot as possible and a brush as soft as possible.

Good luck!

[Snake]

Ditto. Hot water, dishwashing soap and a nylon dishwashing brush works for me. That combo also does a good job of cleaning grips and restoring some of the tackyness. Just be sure to rinse them well (no soapy residue) and let them air dry.

[goblue107501]

Hot water, dish soap, and an old toothbrush should do the trick. If it is really bad you could use a car wash brush (the sponge type with a textured, soft cover) to get the heavy stuff off, then finish with the toothbrush.

[clearwaterms]

like a floor cleaning nylon brush? or a tire cleaning brush? I have both of those. and hot water I have. Ever since my uncle changed the hot water heater, i can get it to INSTANT burn hot. I will give that a shot.

[Stacey_E]

It's funny, I really don't know where or when I got my brush. Haha. It was just around the house. It's the kind that is about 4" long and maybe 2" wide. It's pointed on one end so it's kinda shaped like a clothes iron. I think it might be a tire brush? The bristles are soft enough that they don't scratch chrome, but stiff enough to really lay into the grips when cleaning them with the same solution.

[clearwaterms]

sounds good - I will post back results this evening or tomorrow when I am finished

[tjy355]

The brush just helps clean the crud out of the grooves. +1 for an old toothbrush.

See what soap and hot water can do before you take a scotchbrite pad or steel wool to them.

[alcorn]

I've been in a similar situation. What I recommend is soaking them in hot soapy water and taking an old tooth brush and brushing off the face. Then I usually take a pocket knife and get the dirt out of the groves on my clubs. Then to finish it off I take windex clean the head and grip of my clubs (and the shaft if needed.

[gmanuel25]

Very important, clean the dishwashing brush off very well before the wife goes to scrub her Teflon pans! Have made that mistake a couple of times!!

[tsbrewers]

I took mine a little further last year. :) I used a buffer wheel on a drill, with chrome polish, and buffed the heads. Then I used a small sandblaster and sandblasted the faces. I was pretty amazed at how good they looked, being probably 10+ years old.

[Jay-Bird]

+1 for an old toothbrush.

I carry a toothbrush in my bag. I'm very particular about hitting with clean grooves.

I also carry dental floss in my bag. I can't stand getting little pieces of apple or granola bars stuck in my teeth.