Removing Grip Tape?

[Elmer]

I have started the project of regripping my own clubs.

I am finding it easier than expected. escpecially since I dont have a real vice and I am using my black and decker work table which has a vice like function.

Anyhow to remove grip tape, I strip the old grip off and then put the club under my arm, take a utility knife and start scrappinng the tape off. I look like I am widdling a stick.

once I have a majority of the tape scrapped off, I spray grip solvent over the remaining tape and handle and then use the blade or my thumb nail to remove the rest.

I can usually regrip a club in about 15 minutes, but 13 of it is stripping tape!

I know there has to be an easier more efficent way to do this. Can anyone offer some advice?

[moparman426]

If it's something you plan on doing a lot of, get one of these:

Usually, I cut a slit in the tape (longitudinal) , and roll it off slowly.  Of course, that depends on how old the tape is. Sometimes the tough spots are easier to get off by using no solvent, and rubbing it off with your thumb.

[GLewis]

Heat the old grip tape up with a hair dryer . It will pull right off

GLewis

[Elmer]

I have done 4 out of my 14 clubs.

My irons are all 2008 callaways and the tape is on thier pretty good.

But I will try a hair dryer, thank you.

I dont know if I will be regripping my clubs again, since I am eyeing a new set of irons in the next few years. I will be redoing my putter grip, since I tend to regrip it once a year.

I am considering sending my Driver & woods out to be gripped, since I do not want to run the risk of digging into the fiberglass shafts.

I may try a plastic putty knife for scrapping.

Thank you for help!

[bradsul]

5 or 6 passes with a heat gun and it will pull right off.  Takes me about 3 minutes to do a grip start to finish and I have 9 wraps of tape under mine.

[saevel25]

I just try to tear off as much as possible, then i will use grip solvent to work the rest off. I change my grips twice a year, so i don't have much issue taking the grip tape off.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by GLewis

Heat the old grip tape up with a hair dryer . It will pull right off

GLewis

Originally Posted by bradsul

5 or 6 passes with a heat gun and it will pull right off.  Takes me about 3 minutes to do a grip start to finish and I have 9 wraps of tape under mine.

Gotta agree with these guys

[Clubchucker]

I can't tell you the hundreds of times I've re-gripped my own clubs.  If the tape is giving you problems I agree with the people who said use a hair dryer/heat gun.  Does help a ton.  However another alternative: going on some suggestions here, I recently switched over to Pure Grips.  No tape, no solvent.  They're put on via an air gun and compressor.  I'm a former cord-grip player and I absolutely love these grips.  I've played 2-3 rounds with them, hit a ton at the range and I'm absolutely sold on them.  Installation could not be easier (provided you already have a compressor).  And no, I'm not affiliated with the company whatsoever-just love their product.

[Elmer]

I am going to try the hair dryer, Should I be concerned that I am only adding 1 strip (9" in legnth, came as a pack of 15) under the grip. I have small hands so I figured only 1 strip would do.

[LuciusWooding]

Originally Posted by Elmer

I am going to try the hair dryer, Should I be concerned that I am only adding 1 strip (9" in legnth, came as a pack of 15) under the grip. I have small hands so I figured only 1 strip would do.

That's what you're supposed to do, using 9 wraps just builds up the grip thickness a lot more and costs extra. Also, keep the tape as clean as you can, since that will help in its removal.

[moparman426]

Originally Posted by Elmer

Should I be concerned that I am only adding 1 strip (9" in legnth, came as a pack of 15) under the grip.

Just be sure to leave some overhang to cover the very end of the shaft (tucked into).  Have a look at the pdf I am attaching.

http://www.golfworkscanada.com/images/art/2008Regrip.pdf

I have also used air to remove/install grips, as Clubchucker suggests, it's pretty slick.  I have installed grips over dry masking tape, and haven't had any issues with grip movement yet.  You don't need Pure Grips brand to do this, either.  The added bonus of this method is no down time after installing....put 'em on and go!

[bradsul]

That's what you're supposed to do, using 9 wraps just builds up the grip thickness a lot more and costs extra. Also, keep the tape as clean as you can, since that will help in its removal.

I wouldn't say it 'just' does it, that's exactly what it does. I much prefer the feel of a built up standard size to a midsize. It's softer but still has the other characteristics of same grip. 'Costs extra' is certainly true but a few feet of tape is pretty cheap when you consider how many $5 golf balls people routinely one-shot into the water. Not too mention that midsize grips cost more than standard size, I can buy a lot of tape for the difference in price. I think I read somewhere that Bubba Watson has something like 12 wraps on his. I tried that once for fun, getting the grip started was quite the challenge!

[JerKos]

This is the first time I changed grips with a hair blower.  I timed the time it took to remove the tape and start putting on the new tape.  I first heat the old tape and then take the stripper tool and make a channel the full length of the tape.  I reheat it and start pilling the tape off, then took Goo Gone and wiped off the sticky stuff and one wipe to remove the Goo Gone and it's ready for the new tape.  Each club (14) took 2 or less minutes to be ready for re-gripping.  Now I can see it as a part time hobby.  I should add that because of my hands I double tape my grips.

[joekelly]

How on earth can you get the start of the grip onto 9 or 14 wraps of tape?  I tried 3 wraps of tape, lots of solvent and had a tough time getting the bottom stretched out to fit, then the solvent evaporated!

Perhaps we are not using the same tape, have different meaning to the word 'wrap' or one of us is using special expanding grips.

Will pass on one technique i saw to remove grips.  Tech man was using syringe with large needle inserted up into the grip in a few places.  This put the solvent directly into the center of the installed grip. I may try that for safe removal.

[bradsul]

How on earth can you get the start of the grip onto 9 or 14 wraps of tape?...

There's a trick to it.  You sort of pinch an inch or so before the end of the grip while pushing it over the end of the shaft at an angle and it kind of pops on.  Then slide it on like any other grip.  That's a terrible description but it really does work.

[JerKos]

I am going to try the hair dryer, Should I be concerned that I am only adding 1 strip (9" in legnth, came as a pack of 15) under the grip. I have small hands so I figured only 1 strip would do.

If your fingers aren't pushing into your thumbs bottom meat your ok with 1 strip.

[Lastpick]

I use one wrap of tape and use midsize grips.  I think this would be a better alternative than nine wraps of grip tape.  Maybe midsize grips weren't available in 2012

[bradsul]

I use one wrap of tape and use midsize grips.  I think this would be a better alternative than nine wraps of grip tape.  Maybe midsize grips weren't available in 2012

It's about the feel of the grip, not just the size.  Some people (myself included obviously) are picky about our only connection to the club.

For example I no longer use 9 wraps, I started using Lamkin UTx grips and find that midsize +3 wraps gives me the feel and size I'm looking for.