DYEING OF GOLF CLUBS
A polymeric portion of a golf club head is formed of a first color and is dyed to a second color with an anionic or nonionic disperse dye. The polymeric portion includes a polymeric material that is selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, polyamides, and combinations thereof, which can be dyed by the anionic or nonionic disperse dye.
1 . A method of providing a customized color scheme on a golf club head, the method comprising:
providing a golf club head comprising a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, polyamides, and combinations thereof; and
contacting the polymeric material with an aqueous anionic or nonionic disperse dye solution to dye the polymeric material from a first color to a second color.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a coating over the polymeric material after it is dyed.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the coating has a hardness that is greater than a hardness of the polymeric material.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the polymeric material is disposed on a sole of the golf club head.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the golf club head includes a first polymeric portion and a second polymeric portion, each respectively including the polymeric material; and
wherein the method further comprises masking the second polymeric portion prior to contacting the first polymeric portion with the aqueous anionic or nonionic disperse dye solution.
6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising masking the first polymeric portion after the first polymeric portion is dyed; and
contacting the polymeric material of the second polymeric portion with a second aqueous anionic or nonionic disperse dye solution to dye the second polymeric portion a color that is different than the first polymeric portion.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein contacting the polymeric material with the aqueous anionic or nonionic disperse dye solution includes immersing the golf club head partially or fully in the dye solution.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the golf club head includes a plurality of polymeric portions, each respectively including the polymeric material; and
further comprising receiving a customized color scheme from a user, wherein the customized color scheme identifies an intended final color for each of the plurality of polymeric portions.
9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
providing a visual representation of a golf club head to a user, the visual representation having plurality of sections, each respectively corresponding to one of the plurality of polymeric portions of the golf club;
providing a predefined plurality of color choices to the user; and
wherein receiving a customized color scheme from a user includes receiving an indication of a color choice, selected from the plurality of color choices, for each one of the plurality of sections; and
generating a data file representative of the customized color scheme.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the dye solution comprises an acid dye compound and a quaternary ammonium compound which is a tetraalkylammonium compound selected from soluble tetrabutylammonium compounds and tetrahexylammonium compounds.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the tetraalkylammonium compound comprises a bromide or a chloride.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the tetraalkylammonium compound comprises a member selected from the group consisting of tetrabutylammonium bromide and tetrabutylammonium chloride.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the dye solution further comprises from about 1% by volume to about 50% by volume of a water-soluble organic solvent.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the dye solution comprises from about 0.001 to about 5.0 g/L of the acid dye compound.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material includes:
a polymeric fill, paint, or coating that is provided in a recessed groove or on an area of the club head;
a polymeric insert or applique that is mechanically or chemically affixed to the club head; or
a comolded portion of the club head.
16 . A golf club comprising:
a golf club head including a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyureas, polyamides, and combinations thereof; and
wherein the polymeric material is dyed to a predetermined color by contacting the polymeric material with an aqueous anionic or nonionic disperse dye solution to dye the polymeric material.
17 . The golf club of claim 16 , wherein the polymeric material is:
a polymeric fill, paint, or coating that is provided in a recessed groove or on an area of the club head;
a polymeric insert or applique that is mechanically or chemically affixed to the club head; or
a comolded portion of the club head.
18 . The golf club of claim 16 further comprising a coating disposed over the dyed polymeric material; wherein the coating has a hardness that is greater than a hardness of the polymeric material.
19 . The golf club of claim 18 , wherein the polymeric material is disposed on a sole of the golf club head.
20 . The golf club of claim 16 , wherein the polymeric material comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane.