DIY bare graphite cosmetic feasible?

[PistolPete23]

Has anyone ever tried sanding down a racquet to the graphite, then applying a clear lacquer to it? I'm mulling the idea for a couple racquets with ugly paint jobs; it seems like it would be pretty straightforward if I sand it down meticulously, but not sure if there will be unforeseen difficulties ...

 

[Soundbyte]

Someone did this many years ago on the forum and documented their journey.
Just be aware that doing so with seriously eff up the playing characteristics and specs of the frame.

 

[taylor15]

An alternative would be having it dipped like Roddick has his frames done in carbon fibre. Not the exact same, but a better outcome.

Roddick's Prostock Bab PD frame - close up

Pics from yours truly. I strung the Powershares event yesterday and got a few snaps of Andy's frame. I haven't seen many close up pictures on the forums so I thought I would take advantage! Bonus pic...me and Andy!

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[PistolPete23]

An alternative would be having it dipped like Roddick has his frames done in carbon fibre. Not the exact same, but a better outcome.

Roddick's Prostock Bab PD frame - close up

Pics from yours truly. I strung the Powershares event yesterday and got a few snaps of Andy's frame. I haven't seen many close up pictures on the forums so I thought I would take advantage! Bonus pic...me and Andy!

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

Yo, that's gotta be a paint job. I highly doubt his Babs are using woven carbon fiber over the entire surface area of layup.

 

[PistolPete23]

Someone did this many years ago on the forum and documented their journey.
Just be aware that doing so with seriously eff up the playing characteristics and specs of the frame.

Don't worry, if I try it out, I wouldn't do it on frames that I regularly play with

 

[KC!]

Has anyone ever tried sanding down a racquet to the graphite, then applying a clear lacquer to it? I'm mulling the idea for a couple racquets with ugly paint jobs; it seems like it would be pretty straightforward if I sand it down meticulously, but not sure if there will be unforeseen difficulties ...

I’ve sent racquets off to CTR in Florida. They sanded down my Blade Pro’s & painted black. It reduced swing weight by 10 points & static by about 5 grams. They only do one coat of paint, where factory does multiple.

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[griebs]

I orbital sanded my RF97 V11 down to the braid (major PITA but worth it IMO). Removed ~1mm from the beam (paint, primer, bit of carbon) and ~30g of mass, which I restored and redistributed at 3/9/12 with lead. More stable, flexy, and head heavy now (8 pt vs 9).

 

[griebs]

 

[taylor15]

Yo, that's gotta be a paint job. I highly doubt his Babs are using woven carbon fiber over the entire surface area of layup.

Not a Paint Job, it's hydrodipped in a carbon fibre look by r p n y

 

[PistolPete23]

The braided graphite is beautiful. Crazy though that removing the paint accounted for 1 mm thickness. Is that black tape on the beam near the throat that’s covering the grommet strip? Gloss it up, and it’ll look even better!

 

[griebs]

The braided graphite is beautiful. Crazy though that removing the paint accounted for 1 mm thickness. Is that black tape on the beam near the throat that’s covering the grommet strip? Gloss it up, and it’ll look even better!

Wilson's braid is stunning but I didn't know that going in--did it for weight issues and wanted to note braid layup/orientation.

Yes that's double Gamma guard tape for a little more hoop mass uniformly distributed like the Head's CAPs (I also trimmed off the head guard, leaving just the grommets). Can't wait to match my other RF97s :/

 

[griebs]

Repainting or applying a clearcoat enamel seems excessive, though. CF/epoxy is uv-resistant enough, just keep it dry if you sand. I live in California so humidity isn't an issue, but maybe someone else can chime in on the importance of sealing CF.

 

[PistolPete23]

Repainting or applying a clearcoat enamel seems excessive, though. CF/epoxy is uv-resistant enough, just keep it dry if you sand. I live in California so humidity isn't an issue, but maybe someone else can chime in on the importance of sealing CF.

If I apply a lacquer, it would be entirely for cosmetic reasons. I never liked matte finishes

 

[griebs]

In that case, I'd start with a 220 grit and move up to 600 once you see white (the primer). You'll definitely want to get an orbital for most of the frame but will need to do grommet and inner throat by hand. Then a gloss spray that doesn't react with either epoxy or CF. And all of this OUTSIDE!

 

[PistolPete23]

In that case, I'd start with a 220 grit and move up to 600 once you see white (the primer). You'll definitely want to get an orbital for most of the frame but will need to do grommet and inner throat by hand. Then a gloss spray that doesn't react with either epoxy or CF. And all of this OUTSIDE!

Thanks for the tips! Does the orbital just speed up the process? I don't mind doing it by hand otherwise ...

 

[griebs]

Big time. Trust me, you will very much mind doing it by hand. You could always start with the radial walls of the throat to test your manual fortitude. I recommend flexible gloves like body shops use just to keep your fingers intact--although they may be well protected by calluses from tennis, depending on how often you play.