Cleaning Irish Linen

[Slim Limpy]

.............

 

[WildWing]

Ok, As can be seen, no real pilling or fiber loosening has taken place.

But I need some stain/sweat/hand dirt protection regardless.

From my research, weighing all variables, wax in fact would offer better protection overall than Scotchgard.

So I think I'm left with waxing.

How do you apply paste wax to a wrap and know how much is enough.

I think I've captured the essence of your post. If, as you say, you don't have a pilling or fiber loosening after cleaning, then you probably have a synthetic wrap. If you've recognized that, you're more knowledgeable than a lot.

If synthetic, though not conclusive in the picture, I don't think you really need to do anything to it, though a mild bleach solution would lighten it a bit. A very fine wet sanding would make it as smooth as it's going to get.

However, If you'd like a bit of wax treatment, even on a synthetic wrap, that's fine. If you try a high quality wax, such as Renaissance, follow the instructions.

Wax paper, on the other hand, it's user friendly. And there are some who think it's not appropriate. Here is the assessment from Hall of Fame cuemaker Richard Black, who advises not to clean the wrap yourself, but if you're going to, wax paper as a final treatment is fine. Here are a couple pages from the one of the masters.

Hope this helps.

All the best,
WW

 

[Bavafongoul]

Bob Runde told me back in 1985 that the best way to keep Cortland Linen wraps clean is to never let them get real dirty. He explained every so often to wipe the wraps with a damp cloth
and then circular rub dry the wrap using a Terry Cloth towel. The wraps are allowed to dry for 5-10 mins and I can feel and see some flax strands from the cleaning process. To eliminate
that and restore the lustre and smooth feel, I glass burnish the wrap using a 12 oz. round beer glass that is perfectly smooth. Using short strokes at first gradually increasing to almost the
entire wrap by the end, I use a firm stroke and rub the wrap fast and very quickly. The purpose is to heat rub the wrap using the glass as an iron and son of a gun, Bob is right. My wraps
have zero issues & this is one of the reasons I am such a big fan of Cortland Linen wraps.....when properly cared for, it is the best darn wrap in the world as far as i'm concerned. Anyway,
try the glass burnishing on your Cortland Linen wraps even if you don't clean them. It really does work great. Press hard & rub fast. It cannot hurt your wrap.


Matt B.

 

[trueblu8]

A BIG YES!!! do not EVER use wax paper on an Irish Linen Wrap!!!!! You can make it look OK for the moment that way, but wax from wax paper is much too soft! It traps any dirt, chalk, powder, cigarette grime or anything else that comes in contact with it on the wrap and makes it a real ***** to clean properly afterwards! I've re-wrapped cues for free rather than clean one with wax like that on it! There are other products better suited for dressing Irish linen, wax paper is by far the worse!


Sherm

So glad I read your post before attempting to clean the white and green speck Irish linen wrap on this Jacoby cue. I will either use alcohol and a paper towel or Magic Eraser or a sponge with a little Dawn to clean it and then I'll finish it off with some q wax or butcher's wax. I was wondering how sticky or soft wax from wax paper would be. And you answered my question perfectly. Thank you.

 

[maha]

the original irish linen was cortland salt water fishing line. so water is the perfect thing for cleaning them. as jay said a damp paper towel and some soap does a good job. dont wet it too much and dont try to make it new. it is old.
never press it or put any product on it to make it smooth. the original came unpressed from the old makers. playing with it smooths it out and gets it to the perfect feel.

 

[L I F D 1]

Richard Black , (no one knows how he does it)

 

[Johnny Rosato]

Here is what I do and what you need for the cleaning process:
- sponge, double-sided with an abrasive side,
- dishwashing liquid,
- terry cloth towel,
- common sense

1) Start by applying a small and even amount of dishwashing liquid to the sponge. Wet and wring-out the sponge so that it is merely damp.

2) Grip the sponge and one section of the linen wrap in the palm of your hand and carefully scrub only that section of the wrap by lightly rotating your hand/sponge around that one section of the wrap. Be careful not to allow the wrap to become saturated.

3) Immediately dry the wrap with the terry cloth towel.

4) Rinse the sponge to remove the dirt.

5) Repeat steps 2 and 3 over the same section.

6) Work your way up the wrap 3" - 4" at a time until done.

7) Elevate the cue on the rail of your pool table or something equivalent to allow the wrap to dry,

I've successfully cleaned three or four original linen wraps using this method and have not damaged or loosened any of the thread.

The cleaning shown in the above pictures took me roughly 5 minutes.

I just used this method on my Rick Howard, white/green spec wrap.
Result is amazing!
(and I do know this thread is from 2016).