I Recently Bought a 16 Ball Clean Gleem polisher. Thank you to 2 members here, and another fellow I met on another forum, who were CG owners, that I searched out to get information from before making such and expensive decision. Without their personal recommendations, I would have waited for a Diamond or Ballstar. I have been reading and researching for weeks. I considered the CG, Diamond, Ballstar, and Bludworth. I excluded the Bludworth for various reasons, so I was deciding between the CG, Diamond and Ballstar. I chose the Clean Gleem for the following features that are UNIQUE to Clean Gleem:
1st: It's available! I called everywhere and no one expects to have a BallStar in stock for AT LEAST 4 months. Diamond likewise has at least a 3 month lead time.
2nd: CG Seemed like a very good value. They were running a special with FREE shipping of this 40 lb. monster! A $79.00 savings.
3rd: Unlike the other two units I was considering, the Clean Gleem can clean as few as one ball, or up to 16 at a time. The others require either 8 or 16 balls at a time or they will not be in in balance and can malfunction. Frankly, the Bludworth also offers this option of random numbers of balls, but I just was not sold on that model.
Playing 9 Ball? Clean Gleem can clean just the set of 10. The 8 ball unit would have to run twice.
Just need to freshen up a couple of cue balls? Clean Gleem does that perfectly.
Want to clean your entire set after every session? No problem.
I own many sets of balls for my table. With Clean Gleem to do the cleaning, I can play with a different set each day and don't need 20 to 30 minutes to clean them up by hand. Just toss them in the Clean Gleem, spritz on their recommended cleaning spray, and in 3 to 5 minutes, put them in the box and put them away.
4th: Every time I play, the balls are clean, and consistent in play. My sets all throw, and respond the same. It makes for a much more consistent game. Still, I assume this to be the case with any of these high end models.
5th: Maintenance? ... Need to replace the cleaning strips? No worries... buy a roll of 3/4" Velcro Loop Tape at the fabric store, cut to size, and replace for a few dollars. All of the others seem to have much more expensive maintenance parts.
HOW WELL DOES CLEAN GLEEM ACTUALY WORK?
1: Clean Gleem is SURPRISINGLY quiet! Honestly... the Timer clicking is louder than the machine! (I'm not an electrician, but ... is there a quieter timer they could use?) I have the Clean Gleem sitting on a metal lateral file at waist high. I thought sitting on that metal surface it might be super loud. I was going to put carpet squares / pads under it, but It runs at a whisper.
2: I read the very few reviews I could find, and watched every video I could find. I also managed to communicate with 3 other owners. ALL THREE were very clear that they were pleased with the cleaning quality. One had owned a Diamond in the past, and another had owned a Ballstar. Again, they were very convincing that the CG cleaned as well as the other high end machines.
FOR ME THOUGH, the Clean Gleem LOOKED like it might be less effective as the balls seem to spin on a very straight axis. That said, here is my actual REAL PERSONAL experience: In reality, the balls do tumble somewhat as the machine runs, but more importantly, they vibrate against the entire diameter of the cleaning pad. The Clean Gleem DOES A GREAT JOB whether you are just freshening the set, or if they are very dirty, and need a lot of work. My table has leather pockets, and I had several balls with pocket marks. The first time I used it, I was very impressed that ALL of the contact marks and pocket marks were completely gone. The set looked brand new after a 5 minute cleaning.
3: The 16 ball Clean Gleem is BIG. It is also HEAVY at about 40 lbs. You need some space. There is an 8 Ball unit available, but I have the space and wanted the full size machine for the reasons I mentioned earlier. I am glad I bought the full sized unit. If you need or want a small unit you can place on a shelf or put in the closet after you are finished using it, there is an 8 ball model that is much smaller and lighter, but for me, the 16 was my preference. The Diamond, whether 8 or 16 ball model, is also HUGE. The Ballstar is the most compact model and can be easily kept on a shelf, table, or placed in a closet when not in use.
4: Clean Gleem, and ALL of these other high end machines clean the balls without the balls ever touching or clacking together. I am very aware that I could make a classic "$50.00 Bucket Polisher" but it doesn't take an engineer to know that running a bucket polisher where the balls constantly rub against each other is speeding up the aging process and wearing the finish on the balls. These machines clean each ball softly and individually.
Now that I have owned and used the Clean Gleem, the cleaning results are OUTSTANDING! And that is the most important point of all. I suspect that if I compared the Clean Gleem to the Diamond, the Ballstar, or even the Bludworth, all of these high end machines will likely clean the pool balls comparably, and very well. No cleaner will ever be as efficient as your hands, eyes, Aramith cleaner, and elbow grease. When your cue ball has a lot of chalk marks and miscue marks, it will still need some hands on cleaning. In my experience, if you choose the Clean Gleem, you will be pleased with your purchase.
CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is my 2nd unit. The first one had to be replaced. When it arrived, the motor assembly was rattling around in the box and one end of the machine was damaged. This was NOT because of the shipper. The end of the motor assembly that connects to the far wall had been pre-drilled and started, but never screwed in and tightened to the end. The bar was only screwed in to the side wall about 1/4" deep. About 3/8" of the screw head on the outside was sticking out of the attachment bar on both sides and had never been fully screwed into the side wall. I have a picture of this if anyone needs it, but it's difficult to see unless you really zoom in on the screw head. During assembly, the block was started, but never fully attached, and the result was the heavy motor broke loose, and the unit destroyed itself during shipping.
While I wasn't happy about this, Steve at Clean Gleem was PERFECT at taking care of this. He responded to my contact within an hour. He shipped a replacement out the next business day, with a tag to send the other unit back. The replacement unit is perfect. This is SUPER IMPORTANT because these things COULD happen with any unit. Sometimes things just happen. If there is a problem, their support is very responsive and they do the right thing. I am VERY pleased with my new Clean Gleem machine, and with the customer service that comes with it. Highly recommended!
As of this writing, the Clean Gleem is also a good value in this high end market:
Clean Gleem 16 Ball $499.00 + $79.00 Shipping I was THRILLED to get the FREE SHIPPING Deal so I actually paid only the $499.00
Diamond 16 Ball $700.00 + $125.00 Shipping
Bludworth 16 Ball $595.00 + $58.00 Shipping
Clean Gleem 8 Ball $349.00 + Shipping (out of stock)
Diamond 8 Ball $500.00 + $125.00 Shipping
Bludworth (No 8 Ball Machine Available)
BallStar 8 Ball $525.00 + $40.00 Shipping
My CG 16 ball unit with the free shipping offer was $325.00 LESS than a Diamond 16.
$124.00 LESS than a Diamond 8
$152.00 LESS than a Bludworth
$66.00 LESS than a Ballstar (Ballstar would be the cost winner by $12.00 if CG was not on free shipping sale but it is an 8 ball model and I value the full sized 16 ball Clean Gleem)
1st: It's available! I called everywhere and no one expects to have a BallStar in stock for AT LEAST 4 months. Diamond likewise has at least a 3 month lead time.
2nd: CG Seemed like a very good value. They were running a special with FREE shipping of this 40 lb. monster! A $79.00 savings.
3rd: Unlike the other two units I was considering, the Clean Gleem can clean as few as one ball, or up to 16 at a time. The others require either 8 or 16 balls at a time or they will not be in in balance and can malfunction. Frankly, the Bludworth also offers this option of random numbers of balls, but I just was not sold on that model.
Playing 9 Ball? Clean Gleem can clean just the set of 10. The 8 ball unit would have to run twice.
Just need to freshen up a couple of cue balls? Clean Gleem does that perfectly.
Want to clean your entire set after every session? No problem.
I own many sets of balls for my table. With Clean Gleem to do the cleaning, I can play with a different set each day and don't need 20 to 30 minutes to clean them up by hand. Just toss them in the Clean Gleem, spritz on their recommended cleaning spray, and in 3 to 5 minutes, put them in the box and put them away.
4th: Every time I play, the balls are clean, and consistent in play. My sets all throw, and respond the same. It makes for a much more consistent game. Still, I assume this to be the case with any of these high end models.
5th: Maintenance? ... Need to replace the cleaning strips? No worries... buy a roll of 3/4" Velcro Loop Tape at the fabric store, cut to size, and replace for a few dollars. All of the others seem to have much more expensive maintenance parts.
HOW WELL DOES CLEAN GLEEM ACTUALY WORK?
1: Clean Gleem is SURPRISINGLY quiet! Honestly... the Timer clicking is louder than the machine! (I'm not an electrician, but ... is there a quieter timer they could use?) I have the Clean Gleem sitting on a metal lateral file at waist high. I thought sitting on that metal surface it might be super loud. I was going to put carpet squares / pads under it, but It runs at a whisper.
2: I read the very few reviews I could find, and watched every video I could find. I also managed to communicate with 3 other owners. ALL THREE were very clear that they were pleased with the cleaning quality. One had owned a Diamond in the past, and another had owned a Ballstar. Again, they were very convincing that the CG cleaned as well as the other high end machines.
FOR ME THOUGH, the Clean Gleem LOOKED like it might be less effective as the balls seem to spin on a very straight axis. That said, here is my actual REAL PERSONAL experience: In reality, the balls do tumble somewhat as the machine runs, but more importantly, they vibrate against the entire diameter of the cleaning pad. The Clean Gleem DOES A GREAT JOB whether you are just freshening the set, or if they are very dirty, and need a lot of work. My table has leather pockets, and I had several balls with pocket marks. The first time I used it, I was very impressed that ALL of the contact marks and pocket marks were completely gone. The set looked brand new after a 5 minute cleaning.
3: The 16 ball Clean Gleem is BIG. It is also HEAVY at about 40 lbs. You need some space. There is an 8 Ball unit available, but I have the space and wanted the full size machine for the reasons I mentioned earlier. I am glad I bought the full sized unit. If you need or want a small unit you can place on a shelf or put in the closet after you are finished using it, there is an 8 ball model that is much smaller and lighter, but for me, the 16 was my preference. The Diamond, whether 8 or 16 ball model, is also HUGE. The Ballstar is the most compact model and can be easily kept on a shelf, table, or placed in a closet when not in use.
4: Clean Gleem, and ALL of these other high end machines clean the balls without the balls ever touching or clacking together. I am very aware that I could make a classic "$50.00 Bucket Polisher" but it doesn't take an engineer to know that running a bucket polisher where the balls constantly rub against each other is speeding up the aging process and wearing the finish on the balls. These machines clean each ball softly and individually.
Now that I have owned and used the Clean Gleem, the cleaning results are OUTSTANDING! And that is the most important point of all. I suspect that if I compared the Clean Gleem to the Diamond, the Ballstar, or even the Bludworth, all of these high end machines will likely clean the pool balls comparably, and very well. No cleaner will ever be as efficient as your hands, eyes, Aramith cleaner, and elbow grease. When your cue ball has a lot of chalk marks and miscue marks, it will still need some hands on cleaning. In my experience, if you choose the Clean Gleem, you will be pleased with your purchase.
CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is my 2nd unit. The first one had to be replaced. When it arrived, the motor assembly was rattling around in the box and one end of the machine was damaged. This was NOT because of the shipper. The end of the motor assembly that connects to the far wall had been pre-drilled and started, but never screwed in and tightened to the end. The bar was only screwed in to the side wall about 1/4" deep. About 3/8" of the screw head on the outside was sticking out of the attachment bar on both sides and had never been fully screwed into the side wall. I have a picture of this if anyone needs it, but it's difficult to see unless you really zoom in on the screw head. During assembly, the block was started, but never fully attached, and the result was the heavy motor broke loose, and the unit destroyed itself during shipping.
While I wasn't happy about this, Steve at Clean Gleem was PERFECT at taking care of this. He responded to my contact within an hour. He shipped a replacement out the next business day, with a tag to send the other unit back. The replacement unit is perfect. This is SUPER IMPORTANT because these things COULD happen with any unit. Sometimes things just happen. If there is a problem, their support is very responsive and they do the right thing. I am VERY pleased with my new Clean Gleem machine, and with the customer service that comes with it. Highly recommended!
As of this writing, the Clean Gleem is also a good value in this high end market:
Clean Gleem 16 Ball $499.00 + $79.00 Shipping I was THRILLED to get the FREE SHIPPING Deal so I actually paid only the $499.00
Diamond 16 Ball $700.00 + $125.00 Shipping
Bludworth 16 Ball $595.00 + $58.00 Shipping
Clean Gleem 8 Ball $349.00 + Shipping (out of stock)
Diamond 8 Ball $500.00 + $125.00 Shipping
Bludworth (No 8 Ball Machine Available)
BallStar 8 Ball $525.00 + $40.00 Shipping
My CG 16 ball unit with the free shipping offer was $325.00 LESS than a Diamond 16.
$124.00 LESS than a Diamond 8
$152.00 LESS than a Bludworth
$66.00 LESS than a Ballstar (Ballstar would be the cost winner by $12.00 if CG was not on free shipping sale but it is an 8 ball model and I value the full sized 16 ball Clean Gleem)
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