Clean pool balls make difference

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livemusic

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have no idea what my pool balls are... came with 1974 Brunswick table that my dad bought and now I have it... but they have never been cleaned until now! When I soaked the pool balls in bleach/water, "stuff" started oozing off within seconds. I let them soak a few minutes and then scrubbed them all thoroughly with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I have no idea, maybe bleach was not good, but it worked lol. I only used it because on a youtube it was recommended and these balls had 44 years of dust, dirt, cola and fireplace smoke. I got them shining like new. I couldn't believe the difference in appearance.

I bought a set of old mint condition Brunswick Centennial pool balls from member Kerry here and they look brand new. I am really surprised at the difference between my old balls and these brand new condition Centennials. The Centennials run out further and just seem to shoot better. And sure are purty! I will not be using the old balls any more.

How often do you guys clean Centennial pool balls and how do you do it? Is there are quick way to do it that you could do on a routine basis? I can use commercial cleaner if necessary.

Again, surprised at the play improvement.
 
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livemusic said:
I have no idea what my pool balls are... came with 1974 Brunswick table that my dad bought and now I have it... but they have never been cleaned until now! When I soaked the pool balls in bleach/water, "stuff" started oozing off within seconds. I let them soak a few minutes and then scrubbed them all thoroughly with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I have no idea, maybe bleach was not good, but it worked lol. I got them shining like new. I couldn't believe the difference in appearance.

I bought a set of old mint condition Brunswick Centennial pool balls from member Kerry here and they look brand new... and I am really surprised at the difference. The balls run out further and just seem to shoot better. And sure are purty!

How often do you guys clean pool balls and how do you do it? Is there are quick way to do it that you could do on a routine basis?

Again, surprised at the play improvement.
Click to expand...

Machine only. I use the Ballstar. I don't like to work with bleach on anything.
 
No bleach. No ammonia. Get some Aramith ball cleaner. I like to do it by hand while listening to music.

But you probably haven't ruined them. The chemicals might affect the surface and make them sticky. If they have lots of throw that might be the cause. Aramith ball restorer might get the surfaces back to normal -- it is more abrasive than the cleaner.

Some cleaners will make the white parts turn purple, or at least used to -- I haven't tried that in a while. They turn back white after the chemicals dissipate.
 
I just KNEW I forgot something a little extra I could have included when I sent those vintage Centennials to you last week, sir!

.....A bottle of the Aramith Billiard Ball Cleaner. Blue label.

That’s the secret. By hand, like Bob recommends as well. Some great music and a favorite cold beverage. Unless you prefer your cognac lightly warmed.

~ K.
 
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i used to be a nit for using a ball polisher


now i just use aramith cleaner, and wipe clean with windex

balls play the same as far as i can tell
 
ctyhntr said:
In addition to Aramith Ball Cleaner, I would check out Aramith Ball Restorer.
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We better address this Aramith product difference quick, since there is a huge difference between the RESTORER and the CLEANER, and what each is intended for.

I’d hate for someone to order the green label “restorer” and then scream bloody hell on the forum for this advice - in the wrong hands of course.

I’ll be brief.

Never use the RESTORER unless the balls you need to “clean up” are literally nasty AND you need to get the funk and gunk off of them in seconds - because it is significantly more abrasive than the cleaner. I wouldn’t recommend it. Especially in a ball cleaning machine. Period. It will do damage. Don’t believe me? Try it on one half of a a spare striped ball and then use the CLEANER on the other half. Inspect under a bright light. You will gasp. So be prepared.

Use the Aramith Billiard Ball Cleaner.

Caveat emptor.

~ K.
 
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I am an ardent fan of Centennial pool balls. I always have at least one new backup set on the shelf,
plus my travel set which is not used as much as before since Blue Fin Billiards added several new sets.

Remember that cleaned and polished pool balls look terrific but have minimal cling/throw until the set
has been played awhile. With added use of set, you'll notice the difference which is significant.

I clean my set of pool balls after being used every 5-6 times or as soon as as I notice any marks or
the set just begins to look dull in appearance. I have a Ballstar so it only takes two cycles and Voila!
 
Bavafongoul said:
Remember that cleaned and polished pool balls look terrific but have minimal cling/throw until the set
has been played awhile. With added use of set, you'll notice the difference which is significant.
Click to expand...



WORTH NOTING: If using the Aramith Billiard Ball Cleaner, you will find no variance in ball play (unnoticeable) .....Assuming they were wiped thoroughly with a microfiber towel after hand/machine cleaning - as tested and verified by Dr. Dave as well.

That’s my personal experience using the Aramith Cleaner for over a decade and on literally hundreds of ball sets.

~ K





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Bob Jewett said:
No bleach. No ammonia. Get some Aramith ball cleaner. I like to do it by hand while listening to music.

But you probably haven't ruined them. The chemicals might affect the surface and make them sticky. If they have lots of throw that might be the cause. Aramith ball restorer might get the surfaces back to normal -- it is more abrasive than the cleaner.

Some cleaners will make the white parts turn purple, or at least used to -- I haven't tried that in a while. They turn back white after the chemicals dissipate.
Click to expand...
One must definitely be careful what they use to “clean” balls. For more info, see the video and other info here:

ball cleaning and surface treatment resource page

Enjoy,
Dave
 
Texas Carom Club said:
i used to be a nit for using a ball polisher


now i just use aramith cleaner, and wipe clean with windex

balls play the same as far as i can tell
Click to expand...

But you are only cleaning 3 balls :D
No need for ball cleaner. ....just sayin ....:thumbup:
 
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