Cleaning old slate?

coolidge

Well-known member
The slate on my GC IV looks a bit dingy. Darker in the playing field vs the slate under the rails which I'm assuming is from the lighting, but seems weird. I have wiped it down a few times with a damp cloth during assembly but wondering if a scrubbing with soap and water is recommended to clean the chalk and nasty oil and sweat from people playing it over the years in a pool hall? Not looking to make it pretty but before the new cloth goes on just wondering if mechanics clean the slate with anything beyond a damp cloth.
 
The slate on my GC IV looks a bit dingy. Darker in the playing field vs the slate under the rails which I'm assuming is from the lighting, but seems weird. I have wiped it down a few times with a damp cloth during assembly but wondering if a scrubbing with soap and water is recommended to clean the chalk and nasty oil and sweat from people playing it over the years in a pool hall? Not looking to make it pretty but before the new cloth goes on just wondering if mechanics clean the slate with anything beyond a damp cloth.
Not in my experience. Once the cloth is installed it is inconsequential to the playability. So long as there isn't anything on the surface that could cause imperfections in the playing surface after the cloth is installed, making the slate spotless is a waste of time.
 
The slate on my GC IV looks a bit dingy. Darker in the playing field vs the slate under the rails which I'm assuming is from the lighting, but seems weird. I have wiped it down a few times with a damp cloth during assembly but wondering if a scrubbing with soap and water is recommended to clean the chalk and nasty oil and sweat from people playing it over the years in a pool hall? Not looking to make it pretty but before the new cloth goes on just wondering if mechanics clean the slate with anything beyond a damp cloth.
Not a mechanic, but I cleaned mine with a slightly damp cloth, then followed it up with a cleaning of Isopropyl Alcohol. Slate is a really durable material, as long as you're not using something that will attack slate or soak in (like oils) I'd think you will be ok. Just let it dry good afterwards.
 
Not a mechanic, but I cleaned mine with a slightly damp cloth, then followed it up with a cleaning of Isopropyl Alcohol. Slate is a really durable material, as long as you're not using something that will attack slate or soak in (like oils) I'd think you will be ok. Just let it dry good afterwards.
I hit a test spot with water, dish soap and a sponge with a blue non scratching scrub pad, zero effect on the slate grunge, maybe it's oxidation. Anyway I'm calling it good with just the damp cloth wipe down.
 
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