Warning: This is not a difficult job but will void the warranty on a new racquet.
After removing grip and butcap (will come back to this later), it took less than 5 min to remove the pallets without breaking or using heat. Could have taken 30 sec if I wasn't concerned with breaking. (Really wondered why anyone would want to reuse pallets at $7.95 a pop including a new butcap). The trick is the right tool - used a small, very thin bladed, flexible stainless spatula designed for removing pickguards from guitars. These are available from guitar supply houses like Stewart-Mcdonald for about $10. Has a 1 1/2" flat side and nicely rounded corners. Don't see why a small thin bladed putty knife would'nt do almost as well. First I cut down the seams with a razor knife to sever the double sided tape underneath and then worked the tool into both seams lifting gently and finally up under the large flat. Decided to clean the old tape and gook from the handle using lacquer thinner and mount the new pallets with contact cement and temporary rubberbands. Silicone sealer or new tape could be used if removing again is an issue. The new pallets are longer than required so I cut off a little proud with a table saw and sanded flush to handle. A hack saw should be also be fine. Now comes the hardest damn part of the job - mounting the new butcap reusing the heavy VOLKL staples. The staples must be pried straight up when removing butcap (this requires a little force) then straightened carefully with needle nose pliers. I tapped them into place with a little hammer but they might need to be shortened some if they won't go all the way down. (Cut off 1/3 with wire cutters). Thats it!! This job can be done by anyone capable of doing a good job replacing a grip. If anyone has additional tips I would appreciate.
After removing grip and butcap (will come back to this later), it took less than 5 min to remove the pallets without breaking or using heat. Could have taken 30 sec if I wasn't concerned with breaking. (Really wondered why anyone would want to reuse pallets at $7.95 a pop including a new butcap). The trick is the right tool - used a small, very thin bladed, flexible stainless spatula designed for removing pickguards from guitars. These are available from guitar supply houses like Stewart-Mcdonald for about $10. Has a 1 1/2" flat side and nicely rounded corners. Don't see why a small thin bladed putty knife would'nt do almost as well. First I cut down the seams with a razor knife to sever the double sided tape underneath and then worked the tool into both seams lifting gently and finally up under the large flat. Decided to clean the old tape and gook from the handle using lacquer thinner and mount the new pallets with contact cement and temporary rubberbands. Silicone sealer or new tape could be used if removing again is an issue. The new pallets are longer than required so I cut off a little proud with a table saw and sanded flush to handle. A hack saw should be also be fine. Now comes the hardest damn part of the job - mounting the new butcap reusing the heavy VOLKL staples. The staples must be pried straight up when removing butcap (this requires a little force) then straightened carefully with needle nose pliers. I tapped them into place with a little hammer but they might need to be shortened some if they won't go all the way down. (Cut off 1/3 with wire cutters). Thats it!! This job can be done by anyone capable of doing a good job replacing a grip. If anyone has additional tips I would appreciate.
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