Hi all
I purchased a new predator Ikon 2 cue in around 2011 but for various reasons, never played with it. Instead, I stored in it a dry enclosed cue rack and also in a Predator 4/8 cue case along with other cues during all that time. Every month or so, I would take it and my other cues out to check, polish and admire.
Recently, I noticed the wrap on the ikon 2 had a powdered look in places and after wiping with damp cloth, noticed very slight black residue coming off onto the cloth but the wrap still looked and felt fine. Thinking it might have been oxidation or mould, cleaned the wrap and after it dried thoroughly, wrapped it in cling film essentially cutting it from all moisture. Fast forward a few months, I checked the wrap again and it noticed it has decomposed and become very sticky and rubbery. Just holding the cue by the wrap left my hand black and sticky.
Given my apartment is always fairly dry ( < 45% humid ) and I don't have any mould problems on my other cues or anything else come to that, I suspect the wrap suffered from oxidation
Predator have offered to re-wrap the cue at cost but I would like to ask a few questions
1. Is it normal for an OEM synthetic leather IKON wrap to degrade over time in this way?
2. Did I store the cue incorrectly?
3. What is teh best way to store cues with wraps to minimise these types of issues?
A small part of me thinks the re-wrap should be free of charge as it was acknowledged the cue was in unused and in immaculate condition and therefore likely a materials issues rather than wear and tear but given the cue is ~ 7 years old and the cost is reasonable, I will pay.
Thanks in advance
I purchased a new predator Ikon 2 cue in around 2011 but for various reasons, never played with it. Instead, I stored in it a dry enclosed cue rack and also in a Predator 4/8 cue case along with other cues during all that time. Every month or so, I would take it and my other cues out to check, polish and admire.
Recently, I noticed the wrap on the ikon 2 had a powdered look in places and after wiping with damp cloth, noticed very slight black residue coming off onto the cloth but the wrap still looked and felt fine. Thinking it might have been oxidation or mould, cleaned the wrap and after it dried thoroughly, wrapped it in cling film essentially cutting it from all moisture. Fast forward a few months, I checked the wrap again and it noticed it has decomposed and become very sticky and rubbery. Just holding the cue by the wrap left my hand black and sticky.
Given my apartment is always fairly dry ( < 45% humid ) and I don't have any mould problems on my other cues or anything else come to that, I suspect the wrap suffered from oxidation
Predator have offered to re-wrap the cue at cost but I would like to ask a few questions
1. Is it normal for an OEM synthetic leather IKON wrap to degrade over time in this way?
2. Did I store the cue incorrectly?
3. What is teh best way to store cues with wraps to minimise these types of issues?
A small part of me thinks the re-wrap should be free of charge as it was acknowledged the cue was in unused and in immaculate condition and therefore likely a materials issues rather than wear and tear but given the cue is ~ 7 years old and the cost is reasonable, I will pay.
Thanks in advance
