Cleaning balls: wtf happened?!

7stud said:
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I wanted to clean a set of balls that probably hadn't been cleaned in 10 years. I didn't have any specialty pool ball polish, but I read something online that said to soak the balls in lukewarm water and add a mild detergent, like Palmolive. I happened to have some Palmolive, so I put the balls in a bucket of warm water, then I added a bunch of Palmolive liquid. I let the balls soak for about 5 minutes, then I selected a ball, and I swished a very soft brush against the ball for no longer than 5 seconds, then I rinsed the ball in cold water, then I dried the ball, and I set the ball aside and I moved on to the next ball. The whole rack looks like that.
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Buy a set of dynasphere bronze for 115 bucks call it a day.
 
Bob Jewett said:
I think the pertinent part of that point is that we can't be sure what the counter top was made from. Pool balls have additives other than plain phenolic resin to get the needed color and density. Pure phenolic resin is too light. I imagine that chem lab counter top resin has a special formulation that makes it as inert as possible.

But I agree (again) with your main point -- use pool ball products to clean and polish pool balls. I go with the manufacturer's recommendation.
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Tough crowd here as always.

All I was trying to do is prompt some folks to do some research. Seems I may have failed........Again.
I haven't read this entire thread to find see if a polymer expert chimed in.

So it seems the resin used for billiard balls is a Phenolic resin vs a Resole type Phenolic resin.

The article I put up was titled " Phenolic Resin vs Epoxy Resin.

Of course there can and should be research to improve characteristics of your product and I'm sure Saluc has done their homework.

The BASIC compound although is the same.

My last chemical list from Chem Top I'm sure would hold true with Saluc. Why would Saluc add something to their product (if possible) that would add vulnerabilities. Selling millions of sets, they can't afford to sell a product that's more susceptible to stupidity. Cleaning with Nitric Acid for example. Oops I think Nitric is a no no. Point made I hope.

Mr Jewett,
I'm trying to do some research and you reply with nothing but speculation.
I'm good with being wrong. I'd like to know why. Is that too much to ask? From an Engineer?

rexus31? ... Please.. Take a look

This isn't the final verdict since nobody will disclose everything. Seems the counter top folks are using the same basic material. IMO that means the same Chemical Resistance. Gee Wizz? I'm hearing billiard balls should never be in contact with WATER!!
Please
https://www.xometry.com/resources/materials/phenol-formaldehyde-resin/



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3kushn said:
Tough crowd here as always.

All I was trying to do is prompt some folks to do some research. Seems I may have failed........Again.
I haven't read this entire thread to find see if a polymer expert chimed in.

So it seems the resin used for billiard balls is a Phenolic resin vs a Resole type Phenolic resin.

The article I put up was titled " Phenolic Resin vs Epoxy Resin.

Of course there can and should be research to improve characteristics of your product and I'm sure Saluc has done their homework.

The BASIC compound although is the same.

My last chemical list from Chem Top I'm sure would hold true with Saluc. Why would Saluc add something to their product (if possible) that would add vulnerabilities. Selling millions of sets, they can't afford to sell a product that's more susceptible to stupidity. Cleaning with Nitric Acid for example. Oops I think Nitric is a no no. Point made I hope.

Mr Jewett,
I'm trying to do some research and you reply with nothing but speculation.
I'm good with being wrong. I'd like to know why. Is that too much to ask? From an Engineer?

rexus31? ... Please.. Take a look

This isn't the final verdict since nobody will disclose everything. Seems the counter top folks are using the same basic material. IMO that means the same Chemical Resistance. Gee Wizz? I'm hearing billiard balls should never be in contact with WATER!!
Please
https://www.xometry.com/resources/materials/phenol-formaldehyde-resin/



​

​

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What’s the need to use water and detergent when there are readily available products to properly clean them without the risk of damage?
 
My curiosity has been piqued. I'm not sure why soap and water would hurt a pool ball, but I'm going to try it. :ROFLMAO:

I just bought a cheap-O 8 ball, online, and when it arrives, I'll drop it in a bucket of soapy water. It's supposedly "made of high-grade polyester resin which provides exceptional scratch and impact resistance". We'll see. :D
 
Banger said:
My curiosity has been piqued. I'm not sure why soap and water would hurt a pool ball, but I'm going to try it. :ROFLMAO:
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I'm not a chemical scientist but my gut tells me water can not be harmful for phenolic pool ball in any imaginable way. Also, ordinary soap like we use daily to wash hands and/or body can hardly hurt - if applied for a short time.
Would love to learn the results of your survey :D Maybe keep that ball there for a) 24 hrs b) a week c ) a month. (I'd bet even a month "in the soapy deep" will do nothing to that 8-ball, though it depends whether you miss on the soap type or not).
 
Vahmurka said:
I'm not a chemical scientist but my gut tells me water can not be harmful for phenolic pool ball in any imaginable way. Also, ordinary soap like we use daily to wash hands and/or body can hardly hurt - if applied for a short time.
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I tend to agree, but who knows. The interesting thing, is that there are many different brands of phenolic carburetor spacers in the performance car world (Google it). If phenolic resins can withstand various automobile fuels/additives, then why should water and soap be an issue?

But as I said, we'll see. 😀
 
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I’m going to throw an 8ball in the pool and see how it looks on Labor Day. I’m also going to bury one for 100 years and see what happens. When they look exactly like the ones people used Aramith cleaner on I will feel so smart 🙃
 
rexus31 said:
What’s the need to use water and detergent when there are readily available products to properly clean them without the risk of damage?
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All I'm saying is there's folks that say pool balls should never be in contact with water. Not that water alone is a good agent for cleaning unless you drop your peanut butter and jelly sandwich on a rack of balls.

saluc cleaner.jpg
 
I read through this discussion on all the different types of cleaners/polishes people like for their billiard balls and have a question. Why not use the manufacturer's billiard ball polish that they made for this purpose?
 
As for water, for years I cleaned the rec center's pool balls with damp paper towels because they had no actual equipment or supplies for the purpose. I dried them right away. I didn't notice any problem. When I clean balls these days, my last step is to rinse and dry the balls to remove any trace of the cleaner.
 
7stud said:
View attachment 705600

I wanted to clean a set of balls that probably hadn't been cleaned in 10 years. I didn't have any specialty pool ball polish, but I read something online that said to soak the balls in lukewarm water and add a mild detergent, like Palmolive. I happened to have some Palmolive, so I put the balls in a bucket of warm water, then I added a bunch of Palmolive liquid. I let the balls soak for about 5 minutes, then I selected a ball, and I swished a very soft brush against the ball for no longer than 5 seconds, then I rinsed the ball in cold water, then I dried the ball, and I set the ball aside and I moved on to the next ball. The whole rack looks like that.
Click to expand...
At least they all match!
 
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