Removing Finish

Chopdoc

Chopdoc

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I got a seventies Viking recently. It is beautiful with only a few finish nicks.

The wrap was a little rough and I was able to smooth it out myself with waxed paper in a few minutes. Came out beautiful.

Problem: It looks like somebody did some finish work on the cue because the finish runs about a half inch over onto the wrap in a very uneven way, looking unintentional. How can I remove this?

I was thinking I could tape off the end of the wrap to cover the finish I want and then use a cue tip and some sort of solvent to remove the bit of finish.

I am very worried about trying this and damaging a beautiful finish or the wrap. I have no idea what kind of finish this is, I have no knowledge of such things.

Sorry so long, any advice would be appreciated.
 
You will probably damage or discolor the wrap trying to remove the finish. I would have someone replace the wrap. They'll have to cut the finish with a razor the wrap meets the cue edge or it may pull away and chip right at that area.
 
I understand that, it could damage the wrap.....but it might not. So in other words, no harm in trying.

If I do damage it, it needs a re-wrap, if I don't it does not need a re-wrap.

I understand that it is possible I could damage the finish as well, but I might be willing to take that chance. So to that end I am looking for any good suggestions to attempt it.

I am a very meticulous person, I can suture vessels after all. So working dangerously close to something I don't want to damage is kind of normal for me. In this case a life would not be in danger, just a little finish on a cue.

So.....any suggestions for a mild solvent? Maybe an abrasive as well or instead?

I have an old shaft cleaning solution from McDermott, had it for more than 17 years. It works great but every time I use it I have to be careful as I approach the finished part of the shaft because it softens and removes the finish. It does this very gently it seems and is very easy to control the edge of it, it does not bleed over etc. I was considering trying that unless somebody had a better suggestion.
 
Dan gave you good advice above. Solvent is not the way to go, since any solvent strong enough to eat the finish away will probably discolor your wrap. Cut the finish where it needs to end, trash the wrap, sand the edge lightly, and re-wrap. Job done. Just hope that the finish doesn't lift or chip on you where you make the cut just above the handle.
 
Sound advice, I know.

And if it so happens that this is courtland linen, then it is more than a cheap re-wrap AFAIK.

I'll think about it.

Thank you very much for the advice.
 
The two possible finishes that should be soluble forever are shellac and nitrocellulose lacquer. The problem is that these finishes are hardly ever used on a cue. I used lacquer in the '60's and early 70's but as soon as I found something/anything better I switched. The only solvent I know that would soften new finish is paint remover. You might be able to get up to the last linen thread easily, but the thread at the juncture of the wrap and the wood is going to be tricky as the remover might wick into the finish. If you do try this, get some denatured alcohol and use it to rinse off the residue when you finish. You'll have to repolish the wrap when done but it might work.

BTW, some caution is needed when using the remover. Gloves and ventilation.

I'd rewrap it.
 
In all honesty, anything strong enough to remove finish from Irish linen
will damage the linen. It's that simple. Replace the wrap. It can't be saved.

This allows you the opportunity to personalize the cue to your preference.
Whether that be in going to a leather or a different color of linen.
It's time for a change.
If you're not comfortable with doing it yourself, send it to me.
I'm very reasonable.
 
Chopdoc said:
I got a seventies Viking recently. It is beautiful with only a few finish nicks.

The wrap was a little rough and I was able to smooth it out myself with waxed paper in a few minutes. Came out beautiful.

Problem: It looks like somebody did some finish work on the cue because the finish runs about a half inch over onto the wrap in a very uneven way, looking unintentional. How can I remove this?

I was thinking I could tape off the end of the wrap to cover the finish I want and then use a cue tip and some sort of solvent to remove the bit of finish.

I am very worried about trying this and damaging a beautiful finish or the wrap. I have no idea what kind of finish this is, I have no knowledge of such things.

Sorry so long, any advice would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

You've already doomed the wrap. NEVER, NEVER, use wax paper on a linen wrap! Yes, it'll look OK immediately afterwards, but the soft wax on the wax paper will permeate the wrap and trap any dirt & chalk dust that gets in the vicinity. It will get blotchy very quickly where the dirt & chalk dust in the wax accumulate. Then it's almost impossible to clean it properly. I had a pro friend who used to advise people to do this causing me to re-wrap a lot of cues that could have been cleaned if done properly. Every time I'd run into this situation I ask if they'd used wax paper on the wrap and this was usually the cause. I wished I'd had a chance to correct the player before he given this advise for several years.
 
Lexicologist71 said:
He's a doctor. You don't really think he wanted to take the advice he asked for, do you?
Click to expand...


Now that was funny. :grin:


So....bad news about the waxed paper thing eh?

Never heard that before and have seen that little maintenance trick written about since....well....since a long time ago. I have used it many times on a number of cues. Should I gather them together and send them in? Why? They look fine.

Thanks for the advice guys, I really do appreciate it. I don't doubt you one bit.

Remember.....the wrap was "doomed" to start with....so no harm, no foul in trying it was what I felt.....including the dangerous waxed paper trick.



I am curious. How do you folks refinish a Meucci? Or for that matter any cue with the finish over the wrap?
 
Chopdoc said:
Now that was funny. :grin:


So....bad news about the waxed paper thing eh?

Never heard that before and have seen that little maintenance trick written about since....well....since a long time ago. I have used it many times on a number of cues. Should I gather them together and send them in? Why? They look fine.

Thanks for the advice guys, I really do appreciate it. I don't doubt you one bit.

Remember.....the wrap was "doomed" to start with....so no harm, no foul in trying it was what I felt.....including the dangerous waxed paper trick.



I am curious. How do you folks refinish a Meucci? Or for that matter any cue with the finish over the wrap?
Click to expand...

I normally replace the wrap on all cues that I refinish. If some one want's their wrapped saved I do it but it makes for a more difficult job and often I charge extra.

By the way, I agree with Sherm 100%. Wax has no place on a wrap. It attracts dirt and makes it about impossible to clean. I tried it a couple of times but quit doing it about 40 years ago. Many use starch on their wrap which gives a similar feel but, unlike wax, can be washed back out when cleaning.

Dick
 
Starch!

That was it!

I do remember reading something about that. Thank you very much. :thumbup:

I am still curious about how one would refinish a Meucci while saving the wrap. I understand you say it is more work and hence more money. I understand if is some kind of trade secret or something.

I am endlessly amazed with the craftsmanship of cue making and the level of dedication it requires. I am also amazed with the meticulous restorations I have seen. Incredible things are accomplished, at least in my eyes....which I admit are a bit ignorant.
 
How to finish a Meucci?
Put it on a rail way track.

How to refinish a Meucci?
If the train doesn't do a good job the first time, put it on again.

Just teasin. I have a PP 1 as a back up in the case and I love it. I really do.
 
:D

Yes, well....I mean Meucci Original.......

I am far from a big Meucci fan anyway, but the classics are good shooters and good collectibles.

I use it only as an example of a cue with a finish over the wrap. I am curious, if it is such an issue....how does one "restore" such a cue while preserving the wrap?
 
Chopdoc said:
:D

Yes, well....I mean Meucci Original.......

I am far from a big Meucci fan anyway, but the classics are good shooters and good collectibles.

I use it only as an example of a cue with a finish over the wrap. I am curious, if it is such an issue....how does one "restore" such a cue while preserving the wrap?
Click to expand...

I've never attempted to save a wrap that has a finish on it, that I remember and if someone wanted me to I would tell them to take the cue elsewhere. When I mentioned charging extra for saving a wrap I meant on a cue that the wrap wasn't finished over.

Dick
 
I have refinished 2 Meuccis that had linen wrap under the clear coat. Both cues had chipped (missing) and dented finishes, and in some areas the finish was yellowing quite dramatically. Both cues were Meucci originals. One was 22 yrs old, the other was 29 yrs old. I simply sanded off the old finish with 220 grit, and as i got close to the wrap, I used 400 grit. I kept the sand paper constantly moving over the entire cue until the old finish was completely removed. The linen wrap simply sanded out smooth, and was not destroyed in any way whatsoever, and was perfectly fine. I then lightly sanded all the way up to 2000 grit. One of the cues was stained with a blue stain, including the linen wrap. I restained the cue and the wrap and let it dry then refinished the cue including over the linen wrap. Turned out beautifully and looked brand new. I myself was surprised that the linen wrap was not destroyed and retained its original look. I think the trick was in the light sanding and the use of higher and higher grits to keep it smooth and remove very little material.
 
That's interesting.

I considered sanding, but I was worried that would be more threatening to the wrap than the "right" solvent might be.

I have a Meucci Original that I want to have refinished eventually, and incidentally I was hoping the original wrap could be saved. I think it is Courtland, but I am not sure.

The problem with the Meucci is that the butt cap is chipped. It could be rounded.....but it really needs replaced. That means the logo needs to be replicated or a donor cue located (hard to do, the but caps are usually trashed on trashed cues).

The reason I posted was for my Viking, but it has me thinking about who to send my Meucci to. I didn't realize it might be such a big problem to save the wrap on that one. I also want it refinished with the wrap exposed. I like period correct stuff generally....but a Meucci Original could be ordered without the finish on the wrap and I simply don't like it that way so I want it off. It is mostly worn off already, hardly any finish on the wrap is left.

Thanks so much for your input. I really do appreciate it. :thumbup:
 
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