Finish Damage Question

[Chopdoc]

So I picked up a nice old Schmelke 2x2 box case in great condition. It was a Dufferin cue for sale, but the case was probably worth more than the cue, so I grabbed it and ended up with the cue too.

It is a Dufferin cue, and the finish is cracking all over the butt. I can grab pics tomorrow if you need them. I might experiment with refinishing it but that's a separate adventure and I have other even crappier cues to experiment on first.

I was planning on storing a matched set of 2 cues in that case that are perfect, likely unplayed early 90's McDermott cues. Nothing spectacular, but it makes a nice set.

I have a thing for building sets, or cues grouped in themes. Yeah, OCD, I know. LOL!

But it occurred to me that something about that case could have damaged the finish on the cue that came with it. Maybe outgassing over time from adhesives? Over 30 years or more? That was my thought. The solvents in adhesives can seep out for a long time as far as I know.

I certainly don't want to put perfect finish cues in a case that could damage the finish.

So I though to ask the cuemakers since you guys are the experts on finishes.

Am I crazy? Is it possible this case is toxic to a cue finish?

I have plenty of nice cases so I can sidestep this one and use it to store old shafts or something. But I got it specifically for these two cues and would like to use it for that if it is reasonably safe.


Thanks for any thoughts on this matter.

 

[GoldCrown]

How about put a beater in for a few weeks/months. See what happens. As for the Dufferin I bought a few new in 1998. One has cracks on the butt area near the bumper. Hardest part is sanding.., then I hand rub light coats of BirchwoodCasey Tru-Oil until finished.
Edit. Call Schmelke and run the case by them.

 

[Chopdoc]

How about put a beater in for a few weeks/months. See what happens. As for the Dufferin I bought a few new in 1998. One has cracks on the butt area near the bumper. Hardest part is sanding.., then I hand rub light coats of BirchwoodCasey Tru-Oil until finished.
Edit. Call Schmelke and run the case by them.

I have seen this happen to Dufferin cues before, just never owned one that had the issue. I always just figured it was a problem with the cue finish they used, and how the cue was stored in general. But when I got this cue/case it gave me pause.

Call Schmelke? I had not even thought to ask them about an old case. OK. Might do that.

 

[Chopdoc]

How about put a beater in for a few weeks/months. See what happens. As for the Dufferin I bought a few new in 1998. One has cracks on the butt area near the bumper. Hardest part is sanding.., then I hand rub light coats of BirchwoodCasey Tru-Oil until finished.
Edit. Call Schmelke and run the case by them.

I changed my mind. I didn't put the McDermott pair in there. I put these. 1976 Rich Q.