OB Shaft Cleaning and Conditioning
Care and maintenance of OB Shafts is really not any different than that of other shafts.
If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, then by all means find a competent cue smith and have it done for you. It usually doesn't cost much and is money well spent.
Here's how we do it:
We start by removing the surface dirt and hand oils. This is most effectively done with a mild abrasive like the dark side of a Q-Wiz. If you are interested in purchasing an OB Q-Wiz, you can do so on our website HERE
It only takes a light touch and one or two quick passes. The goal here is to remove the dirt and grime, not wood.
Next we clean the shaft using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser soaked with denatured alcohol. The magic eraser can be found at any grocery store, and the denatured alcohol can be found at most home improvement or hardware stores. We use the denatured alcohol instead of rubbing alcohol because it has much less water content. Rub the eraser up and down the shaft until it comes clean. This will raise the grain, which will need to be resealed afterwards.
Now, you will need to lightly sand and polish the shaft to smooth out the raised grain. We recommend the smooth side of the OB Q-Wiz for this. It is an abrasive, so don't get carried away, but it is very light. This should make your shaft feel smooth to the touch, but it will still feel like wood as it hasn't been sealed yet.
You really should re-seal your shaft anytime you clean it. Cleaning not only takes off any dirt and grime, but also the sealed surface that helps to keep your shaft clean and smooth. We recommend lacquer based sanding sealer. Some water based sealers will work as well, but the lacquer based sealer will dry quicker. It's ok to put on 2 or 3 coats as long as you let each coat dry before applying the next one. Once the sealer is built up and dry, just polish the shaft again with the smooth side of the OB Q-wiz until your shaft feels smooth. You can add a paste wax if you like. Many use a carnuba floor wax with great results. Just wipe it on and let it crust up. Then rub it off with a paper towel. It should take some effort to do it right.
