How to make the replacement grip flush? (no ridges or dips)

DeeeFoo

Rookie
Hello all,

I always use an overgrip with my racquets. But one problem that I've always had to deal with is that I can still feel the ridges/valleys of the original base grip through the overgrip. And since the overgrip already has ridges, there are now double the amount of ridges. Ideally, I want the base/undergrip to be as flat and flush as possible, so that any remaining ridges are caused only by the overgrip. I prefer having ridges in my overgrip since my fingers fit nicely into them, but having ridges in the base grip just doubles the amount of ridges there are, and makes my fingers rest on top of a ridge, which is uncomfortable.

I tried to remedy this by buying a replacement grip and changing out the base grip myself, but while it is better, they don't go away entirely. If I overlap too much, it creates raised ridges. If I overlap too little, it creates valleys/dips. Even if I overlap the right amount, there's still a tiny little mound that just doesn't go away.

Here's an image to illustrate what I'm talking about. (not my picture, just one I grabbed from Google)
See how the ridges/valleys of the base grip are still visible and can be felt through the overgrip? Those are what I want to get rid of. Is there any possible way to make the base grip completely flat and flush to get rid of these? Any special replacement grip that I should buy, or any specific gripping technique I should use?
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
@DeeeFoo
no, "you need", the overlap to hold the previous wrap down
if you line it up flush like your suggesting, its going to start "rolling" on you..

I do lay a overgrip flat/flush to increase the grip size, sometimes, before I put the top overgrip on top (with the overlaps)

what I see in your picture though, you have too much overlap!, you only need 1/2 to 1/3 of what you have now
this will give your fingers a bit more comfortable and not as thick a feel ?!?
 

DeeeFoo

Rookie
@DeeeFoo
no, "you need", the overlap to hold the previous wrap down
if you line it up flush like your suggesting, its going to start "rolling" on you..

I do lay a overgrip flat/flush to increase the grip size, sometimes, before I put the top overgrip on top (with the overlaps)

what I see in your picture though, you have too much overlap!, you only need 1/2 to 1/3 of what you have now
this will give your fingers a bit more comfortable and not as thick a feel ?!?
The picture was just to serve as an example, it's not a photo that I personally took.

I'm talking about the base grip, not the overgrip. I want to make the base grip flush/flat so that there isn't "double" the amount of ridges when I finish wrapping an overgrip, if that makes sense.
 

dak95_00

Hall of Fame
You must use a base grip that is synthetic and soft such as the Head Hydrosorb. Find a racquet that meets your definition of good and buy that same grip to place on your racquet. Wrap it super tight by pulling and you'll get it.
 

brownbearfalling

Hall of Fame
Have you tried lining up the over grip over lap with the base grip overlap? this way doesn’t really matter how the base grip is installed you’ll only feel one overlap.

but To me it sounds like you aren’t wrapping the base grip properly. Edges of the base grips are tapered so that they can be overlapped to produce a smooth surface. It takes a bit of practice and experimenting to get the perfect installation. You have to find the right “angle” to orient your hand when installing.

You probably know this from installing Over grips but if you pull too hard on the grip you can stretch the material. So if you are inconsistent with your installation tension you won’t have an even surface because you have ruined the consistency of the material. There’s no way to make a thick and thin layer flush. So trick is to be firm with the tension to remove any creases or folds from packaging and to be Consistent throughout the installation.

Prince durapro is probably the flattest grip I can think of. It has no texture to the surface. its been a while since I have installed base grips in large quantities so I don’t know about some of the newer models. Babolat syntec used to be flush but now it has the huge branding on it.

leather also might be worth a try. Most of the leathers I’ve tried produce a flush surface. Leather is a tougher material so you can apply more tension while installing and also easy to redo without ruining the grip.
 

DeeeFoo

Rookie
Have you tried lining up the over grip over lap with the base grip overlap? this way doesn’t really matter how the base grip is installed you’ll only feel one overlap.
I actually did used to do this, and it did produce the results I wanted. However, it only really works if I use the same overgrip all the time. I use different overgrips, and sometimes they'll vary in thickness and width, which messes with that technique. That's why I figured it might be easier to just wrap the base grip in a way that makes it flush and flat, so that no matter which overgrip I use I'll only have the one layer of overlap (from the overgrip). I hope that makes sense.

I've gotten really close to getting a flush base grip using the technique you mentioned. There's still some residual ridges left over, but I think those are tough to get rid of. But it's the best I can do for now.
 

brownbearfalling

Hall of Fame
What base grip are you using? Brand and model. I some are more flush than others

also it might not hurt to take it to a shop for then to do it. Shop workers “should” have more experience which means they should be able to get you the flush instal.
 

DeeeFoo

Rookie
What base grip are you using? Brand and model. I some are more flush than others

also it might not hurt to take it to a shop for then to do it. Shop workers “should” have more experience which means they should be able to get you the flush instal.
I'm currently using HEAD Hydrosorb Tour. Which ones would give a more flush finish?

I'm really nitpicky about my grips, so I prefer to do it myself lol
 

golden chicken

Hall of Fame
Perhaps if you used masking tape or something to build up your base grip and then used an overgrip on top of that (no base grip) you could achieve the effect you want?
 

DeeeFoo

Rookie
Perhaps if you used masking tape or something to build up your base grip and then used an overgrip on top of that (no base grip) you could achieve the effect you want?
See, I actually did think about doing this. Except I would use medical/athletic tape instead. The only downside is that I like have the additional cushion of the base grip.
 

[d]ragon

Hall of Fame
I'm currently using HEAD Hydrosorb Tour. Which ones would give a more flush finish?

I'm really nitpicky about my grips, so I prefer to do it myself lol

In my experience, Hydrosorb/Pro/Tour do not produce a flat grip. I think it has to do with the structure of the edge of the grips. The Hydrosorbs don't have much material at the edges so they don't produce a flat surface even when overlapped properly.

I prefer my grips as you do. I suggest Babolat replacement grips: Syntec Pro (thicker) and Skin Feel (thinner). These are both firmer than Hydrosorb though.
 
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tennytive

Hall of Fame
Years ago when I had tennis elbow so bad I had to play lefty, I re-wrapped an OG the opposite way over the leather underneath. You might consider this as the opposing angles may cancel each other out and give you the feel you're looking for.
On the other hand, it may create an X effect and be worse. I never noticed that, but playing lefty I didn't have the same feel for the grip so it really didn't affect me. Just an idea.
 

TNT34

Rookie
Hello all,

I always use an overgrip with my racquets. But one problem that I've always had to deal with is that I can still feel the ridges/valleys of the original base grip through the overgrip. And since the overgrip already has ridges, there are now double the amount of ridges. Ideally, I want the base/undergrip to be as flat and flush as possible, so that any remaining ridges are caused only by the overgrip. I prefer having ridges in my overgrip since my fingers fit nicely into them, but having ridges in the base grip just doubles the amount of ridges there are, and makes my fingers rest on top of a ridge, which is uncomfortable.

I tried to remedy this by buying a replacement grip and changing out the base grip myself, but while it is better, they don't go away entirely. If I overlap too much, it creates raised ridges. If I overlap too little, it creates valleys/dips. Even if I overlap the right amount, there's still a tiny little mound that just doesn't go away.

Here's an image to illustrate what I'm talking about. (not my picture, just one I grabbed from Google)
See how the ridges/valleys of the base grip are still visible and can be felt through the overgrip? Those are what I want to get rid of. Is there any possible way to make the base grip completely flat and flush to get rid of these? Any special replacement grip that I should buy, or any specific gripping technique I should use?
 

golden chicken

Hall of Fame
@DeeeFoo I just bought a replacement grip for an old racket I caught on the big auction site.

I got a Wilson Pro Performance grip. https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wilson_Pro_Performance_Replacement_Grip/descpageWILSON-WPPRGBK.html

It has what Wilson calls "Easy Wrap Technology" which is marketing hype for guide lines embossed on the grip so you can be more consistent with your wrapping. The racket I did didn't come out perfectly flush like my Pro Staffs with factory leather, but pretty darn close--it's easily the best replacement grip job I've ever done--and I bet if you wrapped an overgrip very carefully to keep your overlapping in the same place as the base grip, you might get pretty close to flush feeling.
 
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