How To Clean A Pole Cue Shaft

Cleaning A Puddle Cue Shaft

Whatever experienced billiard shooter volition attest that nothing is worse and harms your shot more than a mucilaginous cue shaft. There are several techniques that one tin utilize to clean their puddle cue shaft, ranging from a simply dry wipe-down, to and involved pool cue shaft smoothing and burnishing.

Cleaning A Pool Cue Shaft

The buildup of sticky balance tin accumulate over time if your pool cue shaft is not cleaned properly. You can help slow the buildup of mucilaginous residue by always wiping the pool cue shaft downwardly with a cotton material after play, besides equally past doing the obvious; ensuring that you play with cleanly washed hands. Y'all can likewise apply a slightly damp material, simply information technology is imperative that you completely and thoroughly dry the puddle cue shaft immediately afterward wiping it clean to prevent warping.

For a more constructive, nonetheless more involved method of cleaning your puddle cue shaft, you can use a pool cue smoother and a pool cue burnisher. These are generally considered the about constructive mode of pool cue shaft care. You begin by wrapping the smoother fully around the shaft, and continue by stroking the shaft gently. The trick here is ensure that too much pressure is not practical, as in that location is the risk of producing unwanted heat through the friction that could be generated. Stop simply once you accept reached the desired smoothness is achieved.

In one case yous take smoothed to cue shaft perfection, you follow this upwards with burnishing. Burnishing involves the wrapping of burnishing leather effectually the newly smoothed pool cue shaft. You then go along to stroke the shaft with rapid motion, but this time, moderate force per unit area is to exist applied. Once this is complete, follow information technology up with another final smoothing. Finish it off with a last polish, using either a polishing glove or a cotton textile.

If you lot accept whatsoever other tried and true tips for cleaning a pool cue shaft, be sure to contact the states and tell united states about it past using the course beneath!

Rob has posted a annotate on this commodity about cleaning a pool cue shaft

Cleaning A Puddle Cue Shaft

Title: Cleaning A Pool Cue Shaft
Author: (Billiards Forum)
Published: 9/7/2006 iv:22:01 PM

Cleaning A Pool Cue Shaft Comments

Brian Woods from Portland, OR on 7/27/2008 five:25:xiii PM
I apply a soft abrasive to make clean the ferrule, i.eastward. toothpaste, and a loftier grit sand paper (around 600 grit to g dust) to shine up the pool cue shaft. Keep in mind not to sand the pool cue shaft while it is still wet or damp, as this will splinter the wood.
nhoop from Oxford, AR on i/19/2009 five:59:02 AM

A really rough pool cue shaft must have the dings and dents removed and be initially smoothed with a 400-grit or finer sandpaper and a piece of leather.

After that, the very best stuff is "TurtleWax Polishing compound".

All I tin say is WOW. Information technology actually makes the shaft polish. It makes a shaft then slick it's hard to get enough grip on it to selection up the cue. It comes in a plastic "can" with a very soft cream applicator. The tiny amount that sticks to the lesser of the applicator is enough to do the job. Rub the pool cue shaft vigorously with the applicator so wipe with a soft cloth.

Every bit I said... WOW!
billiardsforum from Halifax, NS on i/19/2009 6:xvi:01 AM
Turtle wax eh? I would actually dearest a solution like that to foreclose the lower part of my cue from being sticky. I seriously get and then frustrated when the cue sticks to my fingers. The friction messes with the execution of the shot. It gets worse equally the weather gets warmer. I likewise detest the talc or hand chalk likewise. This turtle wax solution sounds like it may work for this issue.
nhoop from Oxford, AR on 1/19/2009 7:37:27 AM
Remember, information technology is non just regular former Turtle Wax. It is the Turtle Wax Polishing Compound.
rish from Kingdom of belgium on 7/29/2009 five:39:52 PM
What about for cleaning graphite pool cues? Tin can you utilize h2o on graphite cues? Considering it is carbon cobweb it won't affair right?
Stevehtn from Knoxville, TN on 10/29/2009 6:10:12 PM

I usually utilise carnauba car wax to my pool cue shaft, let it dry a few minutes until information technology is dull looking, and then buff it off with a soft cloth and long strokes with the grain. The carnauba wax will clean the chalk off of the ferrule and leave it shiny, which for me helps in sighting.

Sometimes I'll apply 2000-dust sandpaper to remove whatever residue or accumulated clay. I urge everyone to never apply a coarser sandpaper than that, because over time you lot may very well end up with a long toothpick. Plus, using that fine of a sandpaper followed by several layers of wax will result in a puddle cue shaft that is slicker than an icicle.

I also employ orange furniture wipes (fabricated by Pledge) between waxings to touch upwards and clean the shaft and they work very well.
BlackMagic from Newark, DE on iv/28/2010 4:05:49 PM

Turtle Wax to clean a pool cue shaft?

That makes no sense and it seems like he either sells Turtle Wax or pool cues.

There are a TON of products on the market designed specifically to clean pool cues. Why use turtle wax? You will have a hard time finding fifty-fifty One pro or cue repair professional that agrees with the utilize of Turtle Wax.
Ryan Snell from Kansas City, KS on 8/29/2010 12:09:44 AM
To make clean your billiard cue shaft, use 1 function ammonia and 1 part water and a Mr. Make clean magic eraser. Only spray it on the pad and stroke it upwardly and down the pool cue shaft. The shaft volition look brand new. I institute this by searching for using Turtle Wax on a pool cue. Still need info or confirmation on that.
Aloha Pacific Pool from Kailua, Hullo on 9/five/2010 8:43:47 PM

@brian-wood said:

I utilise a soft abrasive to make clean the ferrule, i.e. toothpaste, and a high grit sand newspaper (around 600 dust to 1000 grit) to shine up the pool cue shaft. Proceed in heed non to sand the puddle cue shaft while it is still wet or damp, as this will splinter the forest.

I think it would work ok, merely when your pool cues have a toothpaste experience, what would your customers think?
user1289179096 from Republic of finland on 11/eight/2010 1:eighteen:sixteen AM

To clean a pool cue shaft, I highly recommend the carnauba wax mixture. I have used it on my puddle cue e'er since I got it and it stays really slick if you go along your hands make clean. It stays quite long and makes the cleaning process actually fast because the wax and oil mix stops the dirt from getting in the forest. All you lot take to do is give it quick wipe once in a while and new coat of wax maybe one time in calendar month. If yous play a lot then do it more often in the beginning (or with a new shaft) so that the wood absorbs it evenly.

I take never sanded my pool cue shaft and prob will not ever sand it. I can see no reason to smooth it by sanding, merely if I did information technology would be with at least a 2000-grit sandpaper. Like @stevehtn said, annihilation less is too fibroid, similar the 600-grit or 1000-grit which was recommended higher up.
poolsparky1820 from Highlands Ranch, CO on 2/17/2011 9:23:01 AM

To clean a pool cue shaft it is best to utilise a Lathe. Information technology too depends on merely how dirty your shaft is.

Cleaning a Pool Cue Shaft Without a Lathe

I first use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I get the Magic Eraser damp and stroke up and down to remove as much dirt as it will permit.

Then I apply a dry cloth and dry the shaft with a vigorous motion. The Magic Eraser works very well on the ferrule likewise.

Once completely dry, there are several different types of puddle cue shaft sealers out in that location. I find that "Q-Slick" works well.

Cleaning a Pool Cue Shaft With a Lathe

If you lot accept a pool cue lathe the cleaning process is a little dissimilar.

I first utilise the Magic Eraser once again and this will remove a lot of clay by itself.

For the real dirty shafts I use a cleaning product from Chris Hightower's Cue Human being Billiards (google him). I use his shaft cleaner and shaft sealer as they are both great. I spray some of the cleaner on the Magic Eraser while pressing firmly on the pool cue shaft to create oestrus. This opens the pores of the forest and release the deep clay and heighten whatsoever dings and dents.

Once you have the shaft as clean as you tin can become it, make sure you Dry out IT COMPLETELY.

Then I start with a 220 or 320 grit moisture/dry sandpaper if the shaft is real ruff, otherwise I get-go with a 400 dust, then move down to a 600 for the finishing. Clean all of the dust off and utilize the sealer from Cue Man Billiards.

And so I run very lightly, just once upwardly and once down the shaft, with the 600-grit sandpaper again.

Wipe clean and utilise the cue wax from Cue Human being Billiards. Allow the cue spin for a few minutes to dry out then vitrify to a sheen with a super soft towel. I institute a good soft towel from Ace Hardware store. It is orange and information technology works slap-up.

With the Lathe method I can remove as much as 100% of the dirt and chalk on a semi muddied shaft and up to 95% on a real dirty pool cue shaft. They usually come out looking like new. Good Luck.

How did I come to use this method? I purchased my Lathe from Cue Man Billiards and he sent a DVD on how to clean shafts. I believe that I have improved on his methods.
Hotshot from London, ON on 12/15/2012 five:40:02 PM
@ryan-snell, Can you wet the Magic Eraser with booze instead of water? I ask considering I believe it would be faster evaporating than h2o would be.
Timbo from Panama Metropolis, FL on 4/19/2013 12:06:28 PM
I just wash my hands with antibacterial soap and stroke the shaft with the paper towel that I used to dry out my hands. With this method I can not complain at all. It volition always be make clean considering you never know how many times you will go to the bathroom while you are playing puddle.
Jackson G from Ann Arbor, MI on 6/v/2013 9:05:44 PM

I have found this page about cleaning your Pool Cues Shaft very informative for the novice player. I am non a novice role player.

Yes, I agree that the mode puddle cue shafts feel when they are new "from the factory" are very smooth with that horrible stuff that they put on. So I endeavour to take it off every bit shortly every bit I tin can.

I shoot with a "totally custom cue" which is not from a mill. It has no seal coat of whatever kind and I have found over almost xx years of play that I actually like the bluing of my shaft.

I have too found a gratis fashion to seal my pool cue shaft. As I play stressful games, and also in the summertime, my hands will tend to become damp and oily. When this happens, I will rub my fingers down the cues shaft putting the oil and chalk from my hands into the forest'southward pores and then I burnish with leather. This activeness, over fourth dimension, will seal the wood, and will put a glossy shine with a hint of bluish in it. Then if information technology does go sticky, as it sometimes will, I burnish with fine burnishing film and I am back in business.

I had a guy earlier this twelvemonth ask my why I dyed my shaft blue. I told him what I have explained here, and then let him feel it and he responded that it feels like warm glass considering it was so smooth and cause I had been playing for a while. I explained, and he agreed, end of story.

Also, to me, a blued shaft adds grapheme to the pool cues. That is simply my two cents.
Adam J from Emmitsburg, MD on three/fourteen/2015 7:20:xxx PM
I used acetone smash polish remover on a few layers of newspaper towel to clean my shaft and information technology was astonishing. It took care of 10 years of chalk buildup on my ferrule in just a few seconds and it is completely safe. It dries in a few seconds. I'm going to effort the Turtle Wax Polishing Compound suggested by @nhoop to shine it upwards.
RCookeNC from NC, United States on 3/xvi/2015 8:28:35 PM

Yous should Only clean your shaft with 91% rubbing alcohol and a soft make clean cloth (a old clean sock is peachy).

Never use ANY cleaners that are water based, as the shaft will absorb a pocket-sized amount of water on each cleaning-and after a while volition brainstorm to slap-up slightly. Also, never apply any sandpaper (no matter the grit) or "green scrubbie pads" every bit these will take off a pocket-sized amount of the forest.

If you ain a premium cue and it has a lifetime warranty similar Predator Cues, they measure the bore of the shaft when it is returned for whatsoever warranty issues, and if it no longer meets the original specs, then they will deny your warranty claim.

Likewise it is a skillful idea to use a leather burnishing pad to help seal the wood afterward each cleaning. Do non use any other blazon of cloth except leather to burnish the pool cue shaft. All you want to exercise is create some rut from the friction and that is what seals and hardens the wood.

Every couple of months, it is also a skilful thought to apply some loftier quality pool cue wax. Carnuba wax is your best bet, equally it is used in foods and candy and is organic and has no harsh chemicals in it. Carnuba wax is also recommended by high end cue makers. Apply a thin to moderate coat and allow to dry out to a haze, then wipe off with clean soft rag. Allow wax to dry an additional 30-40 mins, and so burnish the shaft with your leather burnishing pad. Echo until you have two or iii coats of wax applied and then do a concluding burnish.
Mr. Brizzi from Long Isle, NY on seven/xx/2017 seven:29:26 AM

I bought an one-time cue stick, information technology is ash and the shaft is tinted blueish. Information technology is heavy, and information technology shoots amend than a majority of the other 13 cue sticks.

The cue was in a garage of the former owner for decades. I hung it to straighten it. Gave it a soft tip (Blueish Knight 13mm). Sanded the varnish terminate that was chipped and cracked. Freshened the stained wood with Fiebing'southward Leather dye, and MinWax Paste Wax. Then cutting chocolate-brown paper, the kind that is used by butchers or sometimes used when getting something shipped through the post in a box. Cutting 2"x4", wrapped around the shaft only on one side, held the tab ends and burnished. Slick. Nice cue. Bought other one-time neglected and unwanted cues and did similar. They play nicely. Wondering if Turtle Wax can be used. Cleaned my table (Gandy, with new K66 cushions and Teflon felt) with Mothers Aluminum & Magazine Smooth on the Formica and aluminum (with my alphabetize finger), then went over the rails with Turtle Wax car wax. Slick and sweet. Ane week, and no problems observed in the Formica.

Adjacent bright idea was to clean the old Aramith assurance (Standard), with 50/fifty mix of bleach and water. Did okay until the married woman started distracting me, so the balls came out with heavy clouding and streaks. I was not pleased, then down to the workbench and I started thinking. Once more, with my alphabetize finger tip, I used Bluemagic Headlight Lens Cleaner, shook the bottle, and tapped liquid onto the balls, one at a time when each was cleaned. Rubbed with my finger. Smelly. Ammonia or bleach smell. Rubbed and when cloudiness was gone, wiped with dry paper towel. Subsequently everything was looking good, I took Turtle Wax car wax, and tapped some onto each ball. Sit close to the bench/table considering the actually turn glace make clean. Did all the balls, and buffed with a dry newspaper towel. Shot and they went crazy wild. Then saw that shots were missed and I went to dead stick technique of softly shooting and the balls work like a dream, the table performs sweetly. Tried cues ranging from xviii.5 ounces through 21 ounces. Sweet. Gave the balls a second and 3rd coat of Turtle Wax car wax. No regrets.

When I finish for the day, I gently sweep the felt with a horsehair bench brush from Home Depot, wipe the runway with a dry paper towel, and vitrify make clean the balls. Then cover the table. I have no regrets. I am thinking of using Turtle Wax car wax on some cue shafts. I always sand the shafts to rid that wretched articulate paint that is sprayed at the factory and figure that they exercise it, considering they have no idea when the stick will sell, and they don't want warpage of the shaft.
Eagle 1 from Ft. Smith, AR on 1/3/2019 viii:43:17 AM

I accept been working with wood for many years and I tin tell you lot that y'all should never use sandpaper on a pool cue shaft.

I found out the hard way when I used sandpaper. It will open up the finish or just take the finish right off your shaft.

When I finish woods, I use triple-zero (000) or four-nil (0000) steel wool on cue shafts. Information technology gives the shaft such a overnice finish and information technology doesn't harm the shaft whatsoever.