I’m not a hardcore disc-wiper, but I know guys who are.
Their bags are as plain as Wonder Bread.
If the concept is a new one for you, to “wipe” a disc is to remove its stamp. This is a fairly simple process involving acetone, the stuff in fingernail polish remover, and a few cotton balls.
There’s more to it than that …
But not much.
Click here to learn more.
So, why would you want to do this, exactly?
There are three main reasons.
First, to dye discs.
It’s totally possible to dye discs with stamps. Depending on the stamp, I actually think the look is awesome. But if it’s a clean canvas you’re looking for, you’re not going to want a stamp present. Take a look through Pastry Dyes’s overpriced inventory, and you’ll see examples of both.
The second reason makes sense, too.
The stamp is butt-ugly.
So ugly, in fact, that having to inhale some fumes and exert mild elbow grease is preferred to having to look at an artistic monstrosity for time and all eternity – or the duration of the disc’s lifetime, at least. I’m not a disc-wiper nor a disc-dyer. But this reason has had me asking the wifey about the whereabouts of our fingernail-polish remover on at least ONE occasion.
It was to rid myself of the 2019 Sexybird’s artwork …
- It’s dark.
- It’s busy.
- It’s hideous.
It’s an unsightly birthmark.
Plus, I was going to bag and throw it, so resale value wasn’t a concern. Eliminating that eyesore was an instant breath of fresh air for a disc golf game (my own) that desperately needed one.
Two. Thumbs. Up.
The third and final reason is weird …
But it’s a thing.
There are disc golfers in this world who find stamps distracting. This is most commonly an issue with putting putters. If this sounds crazy, I’m right there by your side with a shoulder-shrug. However, a certain Simon Lizotte is a firm believer in the stamp-free putting putter.
So if you subscribe to this mentality and worry others might think you’re off your rocker, there’s at least one person in your party who knows a thing or two about a thing or two …
Hang your hat on that.
In 15-plus years of disc golf, I’ve wiped a grand total of two discs. You’ve read about one. And the other was in preparation for a wishful attempt at dying a disc that never materialized.
For now, I’m good.
I don’t see a need to wipe more frisbees in my future.
But if you do, more power to you.
Do it to it.
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I wipe my discs. I wipe ALL my discs.
Reason 4 you didn’t include. I am a minimalist. The clean blank disc is just more appealing visually.
Because of this, i can stick to F2 discs to save money…. And save acetone and elbow grease. Stamps are boring!
Oh I’ve also dyed a few discs. I suck at it, but it’s a fun hobby.
Really need to get into the disc-dying thing …
At least TRY it, you know?
I can’t run a disc golf blog without having attempted to dye a disc.
“Soon” is what I keep telling myself …
Time to make it happen – and make lots of mistakes in the process. Haha.
Start with a basic shaving cream dome with idye poly sprinkled on top.
Thanks for the insider’s tip, Fletch!
I don’t need anything fancy …
Just something that’s (kind of) respectable.
I wiped some of my discs because of the reflections the stamps provide during sunny sessions.
The spark of light sometimes distracts while throwing.
Plus bonus, ppl ask which disc made it so smooth into the basket.
Now THAT is a great feeling …
I always love it when people ask:
“What discs was that?”
For me, this is usually an off-the-tee question …
But on the putting green, where things matter, it’d be even sweeter.
Great stuff, Ruben – thanks for sharing!
I (like 99%) of disc golfers started putting with an Aviar. I actually really liked the “jock strap” looking stamp with the disc hitting the chains. It gave me something to visualize – disc hitting chains – not a jockstrap!
If you haven’t seen it yet you should check out the stamp Innova did for the KC Pro galactic 40th anniversary Aviars. I personally love the stamp and if my local disc golf store doesn’t get any from Innova soon I’m gonna be getting one from Infinite for sure. Another to each his own I suppose
Haven’t seen that stamp, Kurt!
Off to Google to see what all the fuss is about …
Thanks for the tip, brotha 🙂
I’m not a stamp fan. That’s a big reason I’ve stuck with 90% F2s. That’s the most consistently clean stamp you can get. AND I throw basically all Innova, and they have the absolute worst stamps. So cheesy and can really ruin an otherwise beautiful disc.
I like a clean, smooth look that doesn’t draw too much attention and so many of these stamps on these 30$ discs are just complete eye sores. The subtle bottom stamps are cool. But I don’t have any yet.
Oh, love the bottom-stamp, too.
Need to do an article on that in the future.
Good call 🙂
Matt and I can bleach our discs together. Completely agree on everything he said.
Stamps are ugly
Two peas in a pod. Haha.