Like the players themselves, cricket bats also need protection. A toe guard is one of the primary protection methods. It is an accessory that helps in protecting the bat’s toe from any damages.
We will show you the steps to put on and take off a bat’s toe guard in this post.
How Do You Apply a Toe Guard to a Bat?
Rubber is the material used to make some toe protectors, and they can be worn down to the point where they easily come on and off. The problem is that they can not only come off while playing but they can also retain moisture, which is very harmful to the cricket bat. A special kind of glue is employed to attach the best toe protectors to the bottom of the bat.
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The installation of the toe guard is easy, but it needs to be done in the right way and with care. First, use sandpaper to roughen up the toe of the bat; this will help create a better surface for the adhesive to bond with.
The bat and the smooth side of the toe guard are then coated with a thin, even layer of adhesive. It is common for the toe guard to be larger than the end of the bat.
After 15 minutes, the glue is ready for the next application layer. At this point, the toe guard is affixed to the bat. To make sure the fit is tight, push them together with steady pressure all over.
You must let the products dry for at least two hours. Some people use heavy-duty tape to help keep the toe guard and bat together; however, this step is not mandatory.
Afterwards, use a sharp knife or scissors to cut off the excess toe guard. The cut will be perfect when you do it after the guard has dried.
What Is the Procedure for Removing a Toe Guard From a Cricket Bat?
A toe guard is a protective layer placed at the bottom of the cricket bat, which usually wears out after prolonged use or develops holes, and it is then you have to remove it. This can also lead to the wood inside becoming wet and thus, damage being caused to it.
To remove a toe guard is simple. Take a knife to untie the ends then slowly pull it off. Do not give in to the temptation of tearing off the guard fast because that will leave you with a lot of pieces to remove and the bat may get spoiled too.
Follow the same procedure that you had done before, sand the glued part and then place the guard back. Using solvents to clean off the glue and guard is not advisable as they can ruin the bat.
The more you pamper your bat the longer it will last and the more seasons you will get with your favorite bat. Scoring runs with a bat that is already one’s favorite is not a thing anyone wants to miss so why let it go.
