How Do You Clean Rust Off of Golf Clubs?
By Contributing Writer
A winter break can leave your golf game very rusty. Unfortunately, a winter in the garage can sometimes leave your golf clubs rusty as well. If the rust has gone too deep, there may be nothing that can be done. If this is the case and the rust is only on the shafts, then consider getting a pro to re-shaft the clubs, which will be cheaper than buying a new set of clubs. However, more often than not, the rust will only be on the surface and that can be dealt wit.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Fill a bucket with warm (not hot) water mixed with dish-washing liquid or liquid soap. Soak the clubs for 5 minutes or so and then wipe them with a cloth. If the rust is purely on the surface, this may be sufficient to remove it and will not cause any damage to your clubs.
Soak the clubs in a few liters of cola (which sort of cola is not important). Let them soak for about 5 minutes, but make sure not to leave them in longer than that. Rub them dry with a soft cloth. If the rust is in the grooves of the club, a toothbrush is a good alternative to a cloth, as the bristles will reach down to the bottom of the grooves and clean them.
Purchase an acetone mixture from a hardware store or a rust remover. Put the mixture over any rusted areas and brush them clean. Again, a toothbrush will be a good brush to use for this purpose.
Avoid using anything such as steel wool to clean the clubs, as it may scratch the surface or cause further damage. However, if the above remedies have not worked, try repeating the application of a rust remover and follow that by rubbing the clubs gently with a fine steel wool. Make sure you only rub the rusted areas and be patient and resist rubbing too firmly.
Tips & Warnings
If all the above steps fail to remove the rust, take the clubs to your professional or to a specialist golf store and ask them to assess the damage. It may be that you will need to get badly affected clubs repaired or replaced.
