In order to keep your darts in good condition for longer, you must ensure that you’re regularly maintaining them. Below, we’ve outlined a number of useful tips in order to help you and your darts, perform at their best, for longer.
There are many factors that you should be aware of that can damage your darts, if left untreated.
For instance, perspiration from your hands builds up and sticks to the surface of your darts, which can serves as a cause of corrosion. Which can of course lead to rust if you were to leave them without cleaning away any dampness after play.
In order to prevent the build-up of moisture, any kind of mild cleaner is suitable. This will help to remove any leftover oil or dirt from your dart. Moreover, you can also use wipes combined with an alcohol-based surface cleaner. By simply cleaning your darts after every use, will help reduce the chance of rust.
Additionally, wiping down your darts after use would also act to keep the grip free from slippery residue.
How to Use a Dart Sharpener
When using steel tip darts, you’ll notice that the tips will become blunt after continuous use. In which case, you’ll need a steel dart sharpener. Failing to do so will increase the likelihood of a ‘bounce out’ on impact with the board. Which is of course, not something we want to happen too often!
With a dart sharpener, you can help keep your darts in an immaculate condition. Since darts sharpeners are small in size, we’d recommend carrying it in your dart case, sharpening your darts before each game, if necessary.
Check out this set of dart sharpeners we found on Amazon
Using the dart sharpener is easy, we’ve outlined a simple step by step guide, below:
1. Insert the tip of a blunted dart into the sharpener
2. Then, start grinding the dart tip in a steady circular movement, checking every few seconds. Continue doing this for no more than 20 seconds
3. Now check the tip of your dart with your finger. If you still feel that the tip is rough or jagged, keep sharpening the tip until it is sharp
4. This is it, yes it really is that easy!
Things to Remember when Sharpening your Darts
When sharpening your darts, there’s a couple of things you should consider:
- If you are using a sharpening stone, rotate the dart when rubbing the tip
- Keep the dart parallel to the surface of the sharpening stone. Rub the tip of your dart with minimum pressure
- When using a motorized dart sharpener; apply little pressure when inserting the tip of your dart into the sharpener
- Make sure to keep a sharpener in your dart case
- Keep an eye on the dart tip when sharpening it – be careful not to overdo it
- Regularly check the tips of your darts before throwing them for maximum performance
How to Remove a Broken Dart Tip
By following these methods, you should be able to remove a broken tip from your dart. In fact, there are three simple methods, which are common practice among most darts players.
All of these methods offer the same outcome, some may just take longer than others.
Drilling
The point of a steel dart is made of hard steel. Hence, the best way to remove the broken point is by drilling it out of the barrel. To do this, you need tungsten carbide drill bits. In order to make things a little easier, try to slightly heat the barrel tip. By doing so, you can aid the drilling process.
When drilling the dart point, be sure not to apply too much pressure. Furthermore, also try to keep the drill straight. This will allow the remains of the old point to easily fall out of the barrel.
Vinegar
This is the simplest of all methods, yet slightly unconventional. As you need to pour white vinegar into a sealed container. Now, put the barrel into the container and leave it to sit. This is a long process and may take up to four or five weeks.
Furthermore, it would be better to replace the solution after two to three weeks. After 5 to 6 weeks, the old point should of completely dissolved.
Alum Powder
With a view to trying this method, it is essential to use a non-ferrous saucepan. Usually, a saucepan made from aluminum or glass would be most suited.
First, simply pour in some boiling water and add Alum Powder and mix.
After you’re done mixing, immerse the end of the broken point into the solution. Then leave the solution over a low heat and keep on topping up the water level, ensuring you keep the broken point immersed within the solution.
After 3 to 4 hours, the old point should have completely dissolved, leaving room for a new replacement point.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a list of helpful dart care tips to help keep you, and your darts performing stronger, for longer.
