Bat Finishes

All standard Webby Bats colored finishes (excluding white) are created by using wood dyes. Custom and Special Order bats are available in painted finishes if desired. There a number of differences between the two finish types that affect the visual aesthetics of the bat and durability of the finish.

Wood Dye

A wood dye is a pigment that is completely dissolved in a solvent then applied to the wood. The solvent carries the dye into the wood grain and penetrates the surface. Once dry, the color is in the wood, there is no dye sitting on top of the surface of the bat. This essentially changes the color of the wood instead of just putting a color on top of the bat. Then, a clear protective gloss coat is applied to protect the bat and give it a nice shine.

Painted Bats

Painted bats are just what they sound like, a couple coats of paint sprayed onto the wood. As we all know, paint sits on top of and bonds to the surface it is applied to. Painted bats get the same protective clear coat.

Visual Differences

The main difference between a dye and paint is how they look on a finished bat. Since wood dye simply changes the color of the wood, the look will be affected by the grain of the bat. You will still be able to see the grain lines as they will dye a slightly different shade of the chosen color. A painted bat will have a much more uniform color since it covers up the grain of the wood. Paint will have a less natural wood look to it.

Durability Differences

A dyed finish will overall be more durable than a painted finish. The paint is the weakest link in the system. Knocking a painted bat on your cleats, or tossing it in the gravel could more easily damage the finish in a noticeable way. Dings, chips, and scratches on a painted bat have the ability to reveal the natural wood color beneath the paint.

Since dye penetrates into the surface of the wood, any harm to the finish would just reveal more dyed wood. It would take much more severe damage to the bat to reveal the natural wood color.

These durability differences do not impact the performance of a bat when it comes to hitting a baseball. The clear gloss finish does a fantastic job of protecting your finish and bat, but if it must be rated, dyed bats are technically a more durable finish.

Why is Dye standard and less expensive on Webby Bats.

I personally prefer a dyed finish on my bats. I think they have a little bit more life and style to them. As for price, they are easier to apply and require less time and labor to acquire the desired finish. I like using paint to create more custom and creative looks as it is easier to tape areas off and create different  designs.

Pick your colors and have fun. A custom wood bat pretty much always looks awesome.