First cue - maintenance advice needed

I've tried almost everything that everyone else has tried and they all work depending on your standards. I have finally "I think" worked my way to the best "for me" method that I've found. I use the ME to clean it, a series of 1500-12000 grit micro mesh pads to smooth it, a glove on my bridge hand and I chalk with my non bridge hand to keep it off my shaft.
If I look down the shaft during a shot and see any chalk on the ferrule I have to stop and clean it off. I've gotten very anal about the whole thing. Of course you could be like Earl Strickland and never clean a shaft or ferrule. All his shafts look like bar cues and it doesn't distract him at all.Just have fun and remember it's all in the stroke. Don

Ya, I know a guy who uses the Earl Strickland method on his Sneaky Pete. It makes it a REAL Sneaky Pete!
 
Hi,
I'm afraid of removing material by using sand paper so I use Q-Wiz.
http://www.pooldawg.com/product/q-wiz-shaft-cleaner-and-polisher
A quick wipe with a micro fiber towel after using each side. Than a two minute job with a piece of leather. Wipe, followed by three drops of Q Silk on a US greenback for two minutes = smooooth!
http://www.pooldawg.com/product/cue-silk-shaft-conditioner-0-25-oz-

Didja ever notice that when you use the rough side of the Q Wiz it turns white? That's sanding dust. The rough side is about 800 grit and removes quite a bit of wood. I know.... they say it doesn't but use your head. It's obvious that it does remove wood.
 
Didja ever notice that when you use the rough side of the Q Wiz it turns white? That's sanding dust. The rough side is about 800 grit and removes quite a bit of wood. I know.... they say it doesn't but use your head. It's obvious that it does remove wood.

Hi,
I have it in my hand right now and it does feel like sand paper. I should have known as it turns shaft white again in no time.
Thanks for the heads up, back to Scotchbrite pads!
 
WOW! What a great variety of responses. You all gave me quite a lot to think about. :)
I went out to a local hardware store and purchased two wood offcuts in the shape of a cue shaft (one pine, one oak - that's all they had), sanded them back till they felt like glass, and test ran the P21s wax on them both over the course of a few days. To be honest, I've decided against waxing the shaft at this point. Even though it helped produce somewhat of a slicker feel, it also made the two test pieces feel tacky. I got the impression that it might present a problem in future, creating a build-up of gunk, and causing foreign particles to be attracted to it. It also seemed to change the appearance/colour of the wood to an extent also, in a way that didn't really appeal to me.

I always ensure I have clean hands before handling my cue. I just bought myself a Sir Joseph glove, and I always make a point of holding the cue at more of a horizontal angle when I'm chalking up, to help prevent chalk ending up where it shouldn't. I purchased the Q-Wiz pack, which is on its way to me as we speak. Magic Eraser to be used when needed. Now I just need to find some undyed leather..
Apologies if this is a silly question, but where would one find this? I'm assuming old black belts and wallets aren't exactly undyed.. :sorry:

Again, I sincerely appreciate everyone's advice and opinions. You've all helped this noob get on track with some kind of maintenance plan. :D

Oh, and regarding the McDermott maintenance plan - does that apply to international customers too? I'm from Australia.
 
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WOW! What a great variety of responses. You all gave me quite a lot to think about. :)
I went out to a local hardware store and purchased two wood offcuts in the shape of a cue shaft (one pine, one oak - that's all they had), sanded them back till they felt like glass, and test ran the P21s wax on them both over the course of a few days. To be honest, I've decided against waxing the shaft at this point. Even though it helped produce somewhat of a slicker feel, it also made the two test pieces feel tacky. I got the impression that it might present a problem in future, creating a build-up of gunk, and causing foreign particles to be attracted to it. It also seemed to change the appearance/colour of the wood to an extent also, in a way that didn't really appeal to me.

I always ensure I have clean hands before handling my cue. I just bought myself a Sir Joseph glove, and I always make a point of holding the cue at more of a horizontal angle when I'm chalking up, to help prevent chalk ending up where it shouldn't. I purchased the Q-Wiz pack, which is on its way to me as we speak. Magic Eraser to be used when needed. Now I just need to find some undyed leather..
Apologies if this is a silly question, but where would one find this? I'm assuming old black belts and wallets aren't exactly undyed.. :sorry:

Again, I sincerely appreciate everyone's advice and opinions. You've all helped this noob get on track with some kind of maintenance plan. :D

Oh, and regarding the McDermott maintenance plan - does that apply to international customers too? I'm from Australia.

I use an old dollar bill first ,then i burnish it with an old piece of leather that i tore off a pair of Levis.This works the best ,i also try to use a glove If I remember to put it on.
 
IMHO a lathe or Cue Spinner can burnish a Cue much faster and better than by hand. I also feel there is a point where you are only gaining an Inch on the Mile by going to 3500 grit sand paper or something there of. I find 1000 grit sand paper gets my cues just as smooth as I want them. But I will admit I tried the dollar Bill Burnish on a waxed Cue and found it to really make it slicker. Putting it on the lathe at high speed doesn't take long to burn your fingers or at least heat them up.

BTW a Common electric Drill and a Crutch tip arbor can make a cue Spinner real quick and easy. While the Tip end is free spinning, if held in the vertical position it works well for burnishing. That is how I started building my Home Made Lathe or Cue Spinner. Even cheaper and Faster is getting a bolt from the hardware and cutting off the head to fit the drill chuck. I recommend SS Bolts because the threads seem smoother to me with out any plating.
 
93% isopropyl alcohol for the shaft....add magic eraser for a deep clean. i tape off the tip with electrical tape so it doesnt get wet. some will say not to use alcohol on laminated or spliced shafts as it can weaken the glue. i have used this method on a predator shaft for the past 3 years with no issues.
as for wax, i dont see a need for it. in my opinion, its made for cars that are under constant weather. maybe longterm (10 plus years), it may have an advantage on the clear coat.
 
I use Magic Eraser to keep my cue shaft clean. I cut it into 1x1x2.5 pieces. I get about 4 or 5 pieces to each eraser. I carry one in my cue case. After each playing session I'll quickly wipe the shaft down using ME dry - no water ever. I'll then touch up the tip using a dime shape Willard Shaper. When I pull my cue out to play at the next session, the cue looks like new. I use a good automotive cleaning wax with high carnauba content on the whole cue about every 4 to 6 weeks. I also have a leather burnisher that I use about once a week. That's all you have to do. DON"T use water and DON't use sandpaper. To keep the linen looking good, just cut off a sheet of regular wax paper and rub it over the wrap along the linen lines. If you ever get a ding in your cue, then do a search on this forum. There's good advice here about that.[/QUOTE

I have to agree about the Magic Eraser,been using them ever since they came out and love them.When I'm finished with the Magic Eraser I burnish my shaft with leather.This process produces a silky smooth shaft without moving any wood from your shaft.
 
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