Refinishing an Ebony Cue ????

Duane Remick

Duane Remick

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I refinished a cue with an ebony sleeve"
After sanding the wood there are a few white marks in the wood"
I tried a black sharpie"
The sharpie covered the marks just fine, BUT Now in the new finish I can detect the sharpie" ink, Its not the same color as the ebony...
I'm gonna sand the clear off of the cue and refin again...
Can I buy ebony colored stain???
THANKS
Duane
 
Sanding the finish completely off will cure your problem , which occurred probably from applying finish to heavy . I 've had it happen to me with purple heart and rosewood as well as ebony . Make sure your cue is sealed well before applying finish ... Put a couple of light coats on before your wet coats . Get in a hurry and you'll create frustration ...:eek:
 
Duane remick said:
I refinished a cue with an ebony sleeve"
After sanding the wood there are a few white marks in the wood"
I tried a black sharpie"
The sharpie covered the marks just fine, BUT Now in the new finish I can detect the sharpie" ink, Its not the same color as the ebony...
I'm gonna sand the clear off of the cue and refin again...
Can I buy ebony colored stain???
THANKS
Duane
Click to expand...

Duane, I am current building a Ebony Brunswick Balk Collender Conversion cue that was made in the 1920's. While a sharpie can work in some situations I use the following product before applying finish and it will work with outstanding results and solve the problem you currently have. I usually apply a coat or two after I have done my finish sanding, it will seal the wood completely against the environment, and it will also highlight any and all defects in the surface of the cue. Normally I apply this product on the lathe while the cue is spinning, if you do not want stain effects the Neutral works very well, however, for Ebony I use Dark Walnut. Then I wipe off the excess and hang the cue 24 hour's to allow the product to dry.

You can buy these products at most any hardware store in the same section where they sell stain.


1.jpg

2.jpg

Hope this helps
 
Just get a small jar of India Ink from your local craft store. It'll make it the most jet black ebony you've ever seen. Here is purpleheart that I turned black.
 

Attachments

  • 090122_c (3).JPG
    090122_c (3).JPG
    58.5 KB · Views: 543
Varney Cues said:
Just get a small jar of India Ink from your local craft store. It'll make it the most jet black ebony you've ever seen. Here is purpleheart that I turned black.
Click to expand...

Great look, and it certainly does the job as stain, never thought of it myself I will have to try it some time.

Take care
 
manwon said:
Great look, and it certainly does the job as stain, never thought of it myself I will have to try it some time.

Take care
Click to expand...

Thanks Craig. Try it...you'll definately like it. I must confess though...I can't take credit for the trick. I learned it from Eric Crisp. Its more than a stain...even the darkest stain isn't this black. You can make any wood look like ebony. Works great on wrapless cues. Everyone knows how well purpleheart works as a performance handle...yet not everyone wants a purple handle....this gives a very nice option.:)
 
Thank you !

Varney Cues said:
Thanks Craig. Try it...you'll definately like it. I must confess though...I can't take credit for the trick. I learned it from Eric Crisp. Its more than a stain...even the darkest stain isn't this black. You can make any wood look like ebony. Works great on wrapless cues. Everyone knows how well purpleheart works as a performance handle...yet not everyone wants a purple handle....this gives a very nice option.:)
Click to expand...

I appreciate ALL of The posts"
This is a big help,
THanks again....
That PH looks like ebony, wow"
 
Very good tip. Needless to say, wear a pair of rubber gloves Duane.
India ink doesn't wash off the skin too easily.
 
Duane remick said:
How will I go about applying the ink to the cue?
THank You,
Duane
Click to expand...

I simply fold up a paper towel and wet a corner good with the ink & as the cue spins slowly, wipe from one end to the other....wearing rubber gloves of course.:wink:
Its pretty easy if you watch closely to be accurate & stop the ink at your desired edge...makes a nice clean line. It makes it very easy if you use blk phenolic on either side that you want inked. In my pic above...there is actually black phenolic collars at the jump joint...and below the brown joint collar...as well as above the brown buttcap.
 
Last edited:
Varney Cues said:
Just get a small jar of India Ink from your local craft store. It'll make it the most jet black ebony you've ever seen. Here is purpleheart that I turned black.
Click to expand...
cheater ;) :thumbup::thumbup:
i have some pics somewhere of a mcdermott refinish i did
the whole cue was maple with either your india ink or black paint
i used black spray paint, then cleared over it
i swore the cue was ebony to begin with , based on how heavy it was and the jet black of it
added: kevin, more than one coat of the ink? several?????
 
BHQ said:
kevin, more than one coat of the ink? several?????
Click to expand...

Brent depending on your wood you are covering...one is normally fine & a couple would be plenty. I put it on slow & fairly heavy so it coats nicely.:wink:
 
Here is another one I did. The entire 18" forearm is actually straight grain maple to keep the j/b light as the customer desired. When holding it in your hands, even under good light....you can not see where the black joint collar meets the ink. I ran the ink over onto the collar & after its cleared it is just all jet black looking. Remember too, this forearm was bright white....this is only 2 coats.:)
 

Attachments

  • 081204_a.JPG
    081204_a.JPG
    28.4 KB · Views: 258
Varney Cues said:
Pretty much my thoughts. If you use purpleheart it feels the same...and ph is...LOL...a "little" cheaper.:thumbup:
Click to expand...
hey now, you know me & purpleheart
thats a sin to cover it up :rolleyes:
seriously, i wonder how many cues are out there that are THOUGHT to be ebony ?????????????
if i do this, i'll be sure to tell whoever it's paint, not real ebony
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top