How to Paint a Wood Baseball Bat

Choose a durable enamel to paint a wood bat.

If you would like to paint a wood baseball bat, consider a few important points before you get started. Bats are coated with a varnish wood sealant that protects them from moisture. Sand this coating before you paint, or you may have adhesion problems. Pretreat the bat with a primer base coat, or it will inevitably reject its painted finish. Once you have conditioned the bat properly, apply paint that is manufactured to be durable, or the finish will fail.

Things You'll Need

• 120-grit sandpaper
• Tack cloths
• Drop cloth made of heavy-duty fabric
• Acrylic latex spray primer
• Acrylic spray enamel

Instructions

1. Sand the baseball bat until the existing finish appears dull.

2. Wipe sawdust from the bat, using tack cloths.

3. Place the bat on the drop cloth.

4. Coat one side of the bat with acrylic latex spray primer. Maintain an 8-inch distance between the bat and spray nozzle as you apply. Wait one hour and then roll bat over. Prime the other side. Wait two hours for the bat to dry.

5. Coat one side of the primed bat with acrylic spray enamel. Maintain an 8-inch distance between the bat and spray nozzle as you apply. Wait one hour and then roll bat over. Paint the other side. Wait two hours for the bat to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not paint an unprimed baseball bat, as the paint will peel.

• Do not use latex paint on a bat, as it is not durable.

• Be sure to sand the bat before you paint, or you may have adhesion problems.

• Always maintain eight inches between the bat and spray nozzle, or the finish will sag.