How to Refinish Golf Balls
In this sense, golf ball refinishers offer an economical and environmentally friendly solution. Learning how to refinish golf balls not only extends their lifespan but also helps preserve performance. Whether you’re new to golf or have been playing for years, understanding the process and benefits of proper golf ball refinishing can save you money and even improve your game.
What We Cover In this Post
Why Refinish Golf Balls?
Cost Savings
Top of the line golf balls can cost up to 4 bucks a pop! This process is very costly; you can make this expense smaller, especially if you play a lot, by refinishing used balls.
Environmental Impact
Hundreds of thousands of golf balls are misplaced every year, mainly to environmental waste. This is where we could make a small impact by refinishing and reusing balls, which is why we refer to it as an effort towards sustainability.
Performance Maintenance
Golf balls that have been skillfully refinished continue to have similar performance specs to new golf balls, hence are appropriate for practice and/or casual play.
Also Read: How to charge a golf cart
Tools and Materials Needed
- Mild dish soap
- Warm water
- Soft-bristle brush
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Acetone (for ink removal)
- Spray with golf ball paint or enamel.
- Clear coat spray
- Protective gloves and mask
- Drying rack or clean surface
How to Refinish — Step by Step
Cleaning
To start, clean the golf balls with soap and warm water to get rid of any dirt and debris. Brush gently with a soft-bristle brush. Rinse the balls in ACV or bleach and water, For tough stains after a few hours rinse well.
Ink and Mark Removal
Wipe off ink stains and identifying logos with acetone and a cloth. This guarantees a clean base for painting and refinishing.
Sanding
Use some sand paper with fine jets and brush the surface of every ball lightly to remove some imperfection and help prepare the surface. If you sand too much, the ball will behave badly.
Painting
Spray a thin, even layer of golf ball paint or enamel spray. Leave the paint to dry fully before adding a second coat if needed. This step will clean up the look of the ball and can result in improved visibility on the course.
Clear Coating
When the paint dries, spray some clear coat to protect the paint and make it shiny. This added layer of cover enables the ball’s aerodynamics to remain stable.
Drying
Put the balls on a drying rack or other clean, dry surface and leave to dry for a full 24 hours before using.
Tips for Best Results
- Always wear a face shield in a ventilated area.
- Before doing a batch of balls, try the refinishing process on a few experimental pieces.
- To keep these balls in prime condition, store them in a cool, dry place in the store.
Here is where redoing began at generations — golfers are culled over how far to take care of their golf balls to expand the use of serviceability of the ball, save a few ducats, and decrease the impression on the surroundings. With the above process, you can clean your golf balls and get them looking nearly brand new and ready for many more rounds on the course.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why should I refinish golf balls?
Ans: To save money, reduce waste, and maintain performance for practice or casual play.
2. How much can I save by refinishing golf balls?
Ans: Top-tier balls cost up to $4 each—refinishing cuts this cost significantly.
3. Does refinishing hurt the ball’s performance?
Ans: No, if done correctly, refinished balls perform similarly to new ones for casual play.
4. What’s the environmental benefit?
Ans: Refinishing reduces waste, as millions of golf balls are lost yearly.
5. What tools do I need?
Ans: Soap, brush, sandpaper, acetone, paint, clear coat, gloves, and a drying rack.
6. How do I remove ink from golf balls?
Ans: Use acetone and a cloth to wipe off logos and markings.
7. Should I sand the golf balls?
Ans: Yes, lightly sand with fine-grit paper to smooth imperfections—avoid over-sanding.
8. What kind of paint should I use?
Ans: Use golf ball paint or enamel spray for durability and visibility.
9. Do I need a clear coat?
Ans: Yes, it protects the paint and maintains aerodynamics.
10. How long does refinishing take?
Ans: Allow 24 hours for drying before use.
11. Can I use household bleach for cleaning?
Ans: Yes, a bleach-water mix or ACV can help remove tough stains.
12. Where should I store refinished golf balls?
Ans: Keep them in a cool, dry place to maintain quality.
