What’s your definition of “clean” balls? This video raises questions…

Are the “clean” balls in this video playing with action that you expect/prefer?

  • Yes, that’s how I like my balls to play

  • No, those balls aren’t playing right

  • I DGAF, why should I read or care about this

Results are only viewable after voting.
Since I clean the balls, I use frequently I am used to playing with a clean set
The last several months I have started letting them get dirtier and play with them dirty to mimic more what it’s like when I go to the Pool Room
so I have trouble answering your poll
Since I like playing with clean balls, better, but adjust to dirty balls and enjoy being able to turn them more
That’s why I did not vote
Great thread, by the way 👍
and great video👍
 
RT Ford said:
I routinely wipe the balls I'm going to use with a damp towel. This gives me a consistent hit. In a public room, players often snack while playing and oil from their hands is transferred to the balls.
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You wouldn't want to know some of the garbage I've found on some of the balls in my hall.
Makes you wonder if these folks were playing, or grazing!!😂
 
rexus31 said:
"Clean" to me is shiny but not slick just like they come out of the box brand new. I've found a solution of 2-4 tablespoons Aramith Ball Cleaner mixed with8 ounces of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol used in my polisher achieves exactly this. Here's a video I made. I probably could have been a little more lively in my commentary...LOL, but you get the idea.

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This idea here is genius, I have been using mixture for a while now & it's perfect.
 
trob said:
I only clean mine with a bucket cleaner like once a month. partly because I’m lazy and partly because I’m not going to get perfect clean balls when I’m at leagues or a tournament so I don’t need it at home.
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I used to have a cheap set to get the authentic bar pool experience, and a good set I cleaned for the proper experience. That reminds me, the first time I cleaned my balls, I was missing everything for a few days until I recalibrated.
 
DeadStick said:
So I randomly came across this video made by a PBIA instructor and BU grad (shoutout @dr_dave) that does a good job showing the differences in play between dirty and what he calls “clean” balls. If you don’t have time to watch the whole video, watch the 3-Rail kick section starting at 3:11 and/or the Reverse English section starting at 4:50:


Watch the video, and then answer the attached poll please. I’m curious what others here think about this subject.

Here’s the comment I left on the video, which states my position if you’re curious. Click to view:

I would argue that your “clean” balls are actually too slick/slippery due to your cleaning method. If you’re using straight Aramith cleaning solution, it leaves a slight layer of wax-type substance on the balls that makes them slicker than they are when brand new.

The sliding off kicks, ease of pocketing rail shots, and trouble getting good action from CB spin off rails this brings changes the game, and not in a good way imo.

I prefer playing with balls that are CLEAN, but not slicked-up more than their new condition. So I use a mix of Aramith:Rubbing alcohol at 1:4 ratio in my ball cleaning machine. That leaves them with a very similar play as their condition when new.

Artistic Billiards artists sometimes apply wax or silicone to balls to pull off amazing massé and other crazy spin shots. What your “clean” balls are doing is a mild version of that.
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It's not just clean vs. dirty. The age of the balls matters too. The surface gets roughed up microscopically during normal play. You can't see it with the naked eye but that bit of roughness makes a difference. So if you run a test, it'll have to be using two sets of balls - brand new and old - and start with them both clean, play them for a few days, then test dirty.
 
DeadStick said:
So I randomly came across this video made by a PBIA instructor and BU grad (shoutout @dr_dave) that does a good job showing the differences in play between dirty and what he calls “clean” balls. If you don’t have time to watch the whole video, watch the 3-Rail kick section starting at 3:11 and/or the Reverse English section starting at 4:50:


Watch the video, and then answer the attached poll please. I’m curious what others here think about this subject.

Here’s the comment I left on the video, which states my position if you’re curious. Click to view:

I would argue that your “clean” balls are actually too slick/slippery due to your cleaning method. If you’re using straight Aramith cleaning solution, it leaves a slight layer of wax-type substance on the balls that makes them slicker than they are when brand new.

The sliding off kicks, ease of pocketing rail shots, and trouble getting good action from CB spin off rails this brings changes the game, and not in a good way imo.

I prefer playing with balls that are CLEAN, but not slicked-up more than their new condition. So I use a mix of Aramith:Rubbing alcohol at 1:4 ratio in my ball cleaning machine. That leaves them with a very similar play as their condition when new.

Artistic Billiards artists sometimes apply wax or silicone to balls to pull off amazing massé and other crazy spin shots. What your “clean” balls are doing is a mild version of that.
Click to expand...
You might ask players who play major tourneys often vs those who play the halls regularly. Or roadies vs tourneys. You'll get your answer real quick that way.
 
WildWing said:
Ball cleaners equals friction. Friction equals more wear. It's not that hard to figure out. Put a micrometer on your balls over time.
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I could see that happening more if the balls in the cleaner come in contact with each other. I think someone here measured an old set of balls. IIRC, the balls were slightly undersized but relatively uniform, despite a lot of 9 ball play. I believe the conclusion was age related shrinkage.
 
tomatoshooter said:
I could see that happening more if the balls in the cleaner come in contact with each other. I think someone here measured an old set of balls. IIRC, the balls were slightly undersized but relatively uniform, despite a lot of 9 ball play. I believe the conclusion was age related shrinkage.
Click to expand...
Age is definitely a factor as well, with constant play. But imagine the friction of a ball cleaner every day or two. The balls are going to get smaller; there's no way of getting around that.
 
rexus31 said:
"Clean" to me is shiny but not slick just like they come out of the box brand new. I've found a solution of 2-4 tablespoons Aramith Ball Cleaner mixed with8 ounces of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol used in my polisher achieves exactly this. Here's a video I made. I probably could have been a little more lively in my commentary...LOL, but you get the idea.

Click to expand...

I started using your formula and I like it. The cheap spray bottle I used doesn’t spray it well however.
 
WildWing said:
Ball cleaners equals friction. Friction equals more wear. It's not that hard to figure out. Put a micrometer on your balls over time.
Click to expand...
Maybe after 20 years. When I pull the balls out of my machine they aren’t warm at all which tells me while there is friction, it isn’t very intense. Anytime two objects rub against one another there is friction. That doesn’t mean it is catastrophic or even detrimental. I think the heat and friction on a cue ball during a power draw stroke is far more extreme/damaging.
 
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rexus31 said:
Maybe after 20 years. When I pull the balls out of my machine they aren’t warm at all which tells me while there is friction, it isn’t very intense. Anytime two objects rub against one another there is friction. That doesn’t mean it is catastrophic or ever detrimental. I think the heat and friction on a cue ball during a power draw stroke is far more extreme/damaging.
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The burn marks we see on our cloth tell us that much heat is generated on some shots.
 
WildWing said:
Age is definitely a factor as well, with constant play. But imagine the friction of a ball cleaner every day or two. The balls are going to get smaller; there's no way of getting around that.
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And if only the best imported chalk is used, cleaning frequency (and resulting wear) is greatly reduced.
 
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