Refinishing Titleist 804.OS Forged Clubs

[Tommy]

I have two sets of the 804.OS clubs that I absolutely love. The first, I bought on eBay - used and very marked up. I thought I would try them before investing in a new set which I subsequently did. These are the first forged clubs that I've owned and am quite amazed how easily they get scratched/marked/dented. Even just getting gently knocked around in the bag while on the course causes marks. I am very careful with them and even use head covers. I have tried emery paper (wetted) and find that helps but certainly not without significant effort and time.

Question: Is this typical of forged clubs i.e. how easily they get marked? And secondly, is there a relatively easy means of removing the marks and scratches?

Thanks.

[gas_can]

I have two sets of the 804.OS clubs that I absolutely love. The first, I bought on eBay - used and very marked up. I thought I would try them before investing in a new set which I subsequently did. These are the first forged clubs that I've owned and am quite amazed how easily they get scratched/marked/dented. Even just getting gently knocked around in the bag while on the course causes marks. I am very careful with them and even use head covers. I have tried emery paper (wetted) and find that helps but certainly not without significant effort and time.

Tommy, One of the few drawbacks of the forged stainless 704 and 804 clubs is their horrendous looks after a few rounds. The polished stainelss finish doesn't show the same kind of bag chatter as traditional carbon chrome. It just looks dirty and ragged to put it best. There's not much you can really do, just keep them clean and dry. Take solice in the fact that satinless steel lasts much longer than carbon chrome.

[Tommy]

Tommy,

Thanks, as always, Gas_Can,

I was afraid this might be the case. I would have stuck with the Ping i5s were it not for the excellent feel of the forged clubs. Although more of a game-improvement club, they give me the confidence, control and feel of more advanced players' clubs. Looks like I'll be investing in more emery paper... Thanks again.

[ragontona]

I kinda like the beat-up look of my 704.CB irons. Yes, they ding easily, and they scuff a bit if you're hitting off of questionable lies... but nothing that affects their playability. I think of it as "personalizing" my set...

They are susceptible to the occasional dot of rust though, which is something that you should nip in the bud when you see it. I usually just wipe it off with a paper towel that I spritzed with WD-40, then buff it with a soft cloth.

And as a sidenote... I personally think that iron covers are a smidge tacky.

[Tommy]

I kinda like the beat-up look of my 704.CB irons. Yes, they ding easily, and they scuff a bit if you're hitting off of questionable lies... but nothing that affects their playability. I think of it as "personalizing" my set...

Thanks for the tip re: WD-40 and I should be more philosophical as you are, and consider the dings a form of personalizing the clubs.

The iron covers? Couldn't agree more, they're worse than a "smidge" tacky...simply wouldn't use them if the clubs didn't get marked up so easily! Thanks again.