Ball Cleaning - Why is the debate?

[Black-Balled]

I've never used a dishwasher for that, but I recall a report of a very bad experience with one. Maybe they were using the wrong soap.

I use Aramith polish and rub the balls by hand and then buff them with a towel. Plain soap does not buff out scuff marks and miscue marks on the cue ball.

Could have been InI...
I used dish soap on a set of balls and it sure as heckle Jekyll ruined them. It was like they lost a slick layer.

 

[pdcue]

I used to use dish soap until I saw this: http://billiards.colostate.edu/normal_videos/new/NVD-16.htm

I made the switch to using Aramith ball cleaner once a week and I've found that the cut-induced throw is much more predictable/consistent than when I used soap.

Dish "soap" isn't soap - that is why I specified Ivory SOAP.

Dale

 

[Tramp Steamer]

Dish "soap" isn't soap - that is why I specified Ivory SOAP.
Dale

That's right. If it's good enough for this baby's bottom, then it's damn sure good enough for your balls.

 

[bdorman]

I have the same set-up you do; bucket, auto polisher, carpet and Aramith cleaner.

Same result, except I take each ball out and buff it with a clean towel (microfiber, but cotten terrycloth would do just as well). It takes about 5 minutes to clean all 16 balls. No big deal.

What kind of polish/wax/etc could you put on a car or floor that doesn't need buffing to remove the excess? None I can think of.

Note: If you've got a ball-return table make sure to clean out the return/storage area. An incredible amount of chalk builds up in there and will make clean balls dirty in no time.

 

[oldplayer]

I rarely do my aramith pro tournament set by hand anymore,,,,,,i give them to the waitress and she puts them on a commercial cleaner and I get that done for an additional $1 tip! :thumbup:

 

[jasonlaus]

Diamond ball polisher, aramith polish. Done!
Jason

 

[poolhustler]

I use this and it works great. My balls have never been cleaner.........

 

[bbb]

I have the same set-up you do; bucket, auto polisher, carpet and Aramith cleaner.

Same result, except I take each ball out and buff it with a clean towel (microfiber, but cotten terrycloth would do just as well). It takes about 5 minutes to clean all 16 balls. No big deal.

What kind of polish/wax/etc could you put on a car or floor that doesn't need buffing to remove the excess? None I can think of.

Note: If you've got a ball-return table make sure to clean out the return/storage area. An incredible amount of chalk builds up in there and will make clean balls dirty in no time.

never thought of that
thanks for the tip....:thumbup:

 

[3andstop]

I forgot to share my method; I got tired of applying the Aramith polish by hand and I really didn't want to buy an expensive ball polishing machine.

I use my Dewalt variable speed buffer set to it's minimum 600 RPM. I use a Meguiar's W8000 Soft Buff 8" Foam Polishing Pad on the buffer. I place the buffer on the floor pad side up, sit down and throw a leg over its handle. I then power it on and place a pool ball in a travel coffee mug (with a diameter of about 2-1/2") that has a microfiber towel in it. Then, I flip the coffee cup over onto the spinning pad (near the center of the pad with one drop of Aramith ball cleaner/polish) and apply just enough pressure to spin the ball so it gets polished evenly. I pull the coffee mug away from the center of the spinning pad to increase the polishing effect (speed) and move it in to the center to reduce it.

Make sure you feel the temperature of the newly polished ball to tell you how you did. You should feel that it has a warm, even temperature. If you have hot and cool spots, you need to lighten up on the pressure when you push the cup with the ball into the pad.

This takes me about 10-15 minutes to have my Aramith ball set playing like new. The best part is I had everything I needed to do this in my garage already and I didn't have to fabricate anything.

Yikes, that's patience. I bought an oil change bucket for 6 bucks. You know, one of those low profile, slide under the car buckets. I lined it with some scrap carpet using liquid nails. I throw the balls in, dab some Aramith cleaner on them, roll em around by hand a bit, and then just buff them all at once with one of those cheapo Ryobi buffers from home depot.

 

[lumberman]

I use brillianize in my ball star cleaner. Works like a charm. Balls look like they are still new out of the box.

 

[dr_dave]

After a little research through the forums it seems that there is a debate over which method is best for cleaning pool balls. This makes no sense. Pool has been around forever, why can't we figure out the best way to clean the balls???

One problem is that the product you use to clean the balls can have a radical effect on how balls play, especially with how much the balls throw and how this changes over time. For more info, see the following video:

NV D.16 - Pool ball cut-induced throw and cling/skid/kick experiment

Regards,
Dave

 

[Tramp Steamer]

One problem is that the product you use to clean the balls can have a radical effect on how balls play, especially with how much the balls throw and how this changes over time. For more info, see the following video:
NV D.16 - Pool ball cut-induced throw and cling/skid/kick experiment
Regards,
Dave

All of my comments on this thread have taken more of a sarcastic approach to how balls are cleaned, some humorous, some not so humorous.
Dr. Dave, you're a smart guy. Wouldn't you say the best, and most logical way to solve this dilemma, regarding dirty balls, would be to simply follow the directions on the box, or instruction sheet, that came with the balls? Or, am I missing something here? :smile:

 

[dr_dave]

... Wouldn't you say the best, and most logical way to solve this dilemma, regarding dirty balls, would be to simply follow the directions on the box, or instruction sheet, that came with the balls?

Sounds good to me, unless the instructions recommend a cleaning or polishing product that is known to cause excessive and variable throw and cling.

Regards,
Dave

 

[jalapus logan]

What about Meguiar's vs. Novus 1. I've used the Novus 1 (recommended to my friend by Bludworth) for years and was happy with that, but it is special order. I've recently switched to Mequiar's (recommended by Diamond Billiards, and maker of the polisher) primarily because you can purchase it at more locations. But they DO play differently for sure. The balls definately throw and play differently. I think that maybe the Novus 1 might be better, but I think that I may be biased becaused that is what I used for so long.

Also used the Aramith cleaner, but by hand and it is expensive.

Thoughts?

 

[3kushn]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Jewett View Post
I've never used a dishwasher for that, but I recall a report of a very bad experience with one. Maybe they were using the wrong soap.
I use Aramith polish and rub the balls by hand and then buff them with a towel. Plain soap does not buff out scuff marks and miscue marks on the cue ball.

A non-abrasive soap such as a liquid with a degrease feature should work. :smile:

Using soap will get them clean but they won't shine like new without abrasives.
That's why Aramith cleaner contains very mild abrasive and the Restorer has slightly larger grain.

If crap and scratches are quickly getting on the balls then the playing surface is not clean. It has to come from somewhere. Keep the table clean too.