DIY: Finishing a Bat

Making your own baseball bat is a project best suited to those who enjoy both woodworking and sports. The final touch to a newly turned out baseball bat is the finish. You will need an appropriate finish on the wood to ensure that it does not crack or decay. This final step will make allow your bat to hold its beauty for many years to come.

Things You'll Need

  • 600-grit sandpaper
  • Varnish or stain
  • Polyurethane spray
  • Steel wool
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Instructions

    • 1

      Sand the baseball bat with 600-grit sandpaper. Ensure that the entire surface of the bat has a smooth, silky finish that is free of imperfections and rough spots.

    • 2

      Apply stain or varnish to the bat. Use a brush-on wood stain that is a color of your liking. Apply more coats as needed and allow to dry before continuing. Popular bat stain colors are black, brown and clear.

    • 3

      Coat the entire bat with a polyurethane spray. Hold the can approximately 12 inches away from the bat to ensure an evenly distributed spray. Allow the first coat of polyurethane to dry.

    • 4

      Rub the dried polyurethane coating with steel wool. Using a circular motion, lightly smooth out the coat of polyurethane taking care not to completely remove it. Continue rubbing until an you have an even, smooth finish.

    • 5

      Reapply another coat of the polyurethane spray. Apply the coat evenly to the bat as previously described and allow it to dry. This second coat is the final coat.

    • 6

      Sand the bat again with the steel wool in a circular motion until you have a glossy, smooth surface.