REFRESHING YOUR BAT FOR THE NEW SEASON

Cricket bats are extremely durable things however like all timber products they are prone to drying out as time goes on so we have a few handy tips now that the season is getting under way.

1. Re-apply Clearguard. Remove your old Clearguard, sand down your bat & apply new Clearguard. Sounds easy however when removing old Clearguard it can leave sticky residue behind & the best way to get this off is to sand it off. Don't use an adhesive remover at all as this can dry out the timber. Hopefully you have a electric sander that you can use. Start with 80 grit sandpaper, then 180 grit, then 240 grit to make it all smooth again. Once you have it nice & smooth you can apply a new sheet of Clearguard! You can oil your bat with RAW Linseed oil before you put new Clearguard on however you will need to wait a couple of weeks for the oil to dry enough to allow the adhesive from the Clearguard to stick.
2. Re-oil your bat. If your bat doesn't have any extratec on it then grab some 180 or 240 grit sandpaper & lightly sand the bat. This will allow the top layer of willow fibres to open up & allow the absorption of the oil. To apply the RAW linseed oil, fill up the cap, dip your fingers in & spread the oil onto all of the exposed willow on the cricket bat. Let the bat lay horizontally for 24 hours & once dry, give it another coat. Once this is done it's ready to go.
3. Replace your grip. Rubber grips can perish over time so replace it so it doesn't let you down when the first game comes around.
4. Repairs. Check for any repairs that may need to happen. You can try to fix these your self but most times it's better to get a pro to fix them. We can do it here at Cooper Cricket however there may be a bat maker/bat repairer in your area that can help you out.

Important information about bat oil.

RAW linseed oil & BOILED linseed oil ARE NOT THE SAME. BOILED linseed oil will dry out your bat. RAW linseed oil will nourish your bat & put moisture back into it.

If you ever need any advice on repairs please don't hesitate to call, text, email or message us on Facebook.