Cleaning the cue

Oldwestside

Oldwestside

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was shooting with an A-player today and noticed he had a spray bottle of alcohol and a cotton pad. He was constantly cleaning the butt and shaft with the pad which was damp with alcohol. We were not in a serious match and I was no challange for him.

Is this the correct way to keep the cue clean?

Thanks
 
Oldwestside said:
I was shooting with an A-player today and noticed he had a spray bottle of alcohol and a cotton pad. He was constantly cleaning the butt and shaft with the pad which was damp with alcohol. We were not in a serious match and I was no challange for him.

Is this the correct way to keep the cue clean?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Sounds like a germaphobe to me!
 
I'll ask the question in a different way.

What is the best way to keep your cue clean?

Thanks
 
Oldwestside said:
I was shooting with an A-player today and noticed he had a spray bottle of alcohol and a cotton pad. He was constantly cleaning the butt and shaft with the pad which was damp with alcohol. We were not in a serious match and I was no challange for him.

Is this the correct way to keep the cue clean?

Thanks
Click to expand...

On the finished areas use any type of cleaner wax that you would use on an Automotive finish. Then use a Carnuba Car wax and a soft cloth, and buff it out.

For the shaft do not use any of the cue products because they contain bleach which is not good for wood. Bonami is a great product you can use to clean a shaft, apply it to a very lightly damp cloth and rub the shaft with it. Then take a clean lightly damp cloth and and remove the excess cleaner. Then take a dry cloth and rub the shaft until warm, next take a piece of cardboard and burnish the shaft until it is shiny and warm.

This may take a few treatments if the shaft is very soiled to clean it up. Last apply some cue wax or any good Carnuba wax and rub it on the shaft, wipe off the excess and then burnish it with cardboard until shiny smooth, and warm.

Remember when using cardboard DO NOT USE ANY WITH WRITING ON IT because the ink will transfer, just like using a dollar bill.

Hope this helps!!!
 
Good info. manwon. I have been using Magic Eraser with alcohol. Then burnish with colorless leather pad. I don't know if the end result compares to your method though.
 
That is just what I was looking for, thanks so much; you're a class act.

Best regards,

Jerry
 
Oldwestside said:
I was shooting with an A-player today and noticed he had a spray bottle of alcohol and a cotton pad. He was constantly cleaning the butt and shaft with the pad which was damp with alcohol. We were not in a serious match and I was no challange for him.

Is this the correct way to keep the cue clean?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Just make sure you don't have a cue that is finished with shellac. Alcohol breaks it down and removes the finish.

Does anyone use shellac, anymore? I know some of the older cues that are still around have a shellac finish on them.

I generally wouldn't use alcohol on my cues, because it can be a bit harsh to some finishes. If you don't believe me...

1. Test the alcohol on your car's finish.
2. Try taking a bottle of alcohol to the finish on your wife's or mother's expensive dining room table and see if you survive.
 
JesPiddlin said:
Just make sure you don't have a cue that is finished with shellac. Alcohol breaks it down and removes the finish.

Does anyone use shellac, anymore? I know some of the older cues that are still around have a shellac finish on them.

I generally wouldn't use alcohol on my cues, because it can be a bit harsh to some finishes. If you don't believe me...

1. Test the alcohol on your car's finish.
2. Try taking a bottle of alcohol to the finish on your wife's or mother's expensive dining room table and see if you survive.
Click to expand...

I totally agree, in fact I would not use alcohol at all. It can cause damage to any finish, and it will also break down by drying out exposed wood such as shafts. I would recommend products that will clean without effecting the stability of finishes and woods!!

Have a good night!!
 
Cleaning your cue

Richard Black once told me to clean the finished section of a cue, just wipe it with a soft cloth with a small amount of Pledge, then wipe it off with a clean cloth. Has worked for me. Leaves no residue or sticky feel. On my shafts I us alcohol (very small amount) about once a month or so.
 
I personally would never use alcohol it can damage the finish..sounds to me the player might be suffering from OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorder to constantly clean with alcohol..hey whatever works he is an A player so it's working for him..:)
 
I just take it around the corner from my house and have Charlie's pro shop clean it on the lathe. He can do a better job on the lather than any cleaning product.
 
Oldwestside said:
I'll ask the question in a different way.

What is the best way to keep your cue clean?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Water and leather that is all you need unless you have had a serious incident.

take 2 dish towels the thin ones just a bit thicker than bedsheets. dampen one of them.. not wet just damp clean your shaft with a tight fist and move the cloth softly at first folding it various ways until chalk stops coming off on the cloth.

then do the same with the dry towel

after a thorough rubbing with the dry cloth take a piece of undyed leather smooth side to the shaft. grip as tight as you can and stroke your shaft until the friction builds up enough heat that you can't hold the leather anymore. rotate the shaft continually as you do this to get even contact on all sides.

Pay closest attention to the "sweet spot" the front part of your shaft that rests on your bridge hand usually the first 12- 15 inches of the shaft.

you will get the smoothest shaft on earth if you use this method regularly. the varnished portions of the cue should come clean with just a damp towel remember to dry it thoroughly.
 
Last edited:
softshot said:
Water and leather that is all you need unless you have had a serious incident.

take 2 dish towels the thin ones just a bit thicker than bedsheets. dampen one of them.. not wet just damp clean your shaft with a tight fist and move the cloth softly at first folding it various ways until chalk stops coming off on the cloth.

then do the same with the dry towel

after a thorough rubbing with the dry cloth take a piece of undyed leather smooth side to the shaft. grip as tight as you can and stroke your shaft until the friction builds up enough heat that you can't hold the leather anymore. rotate the shaft continually as you do this to get even contact on all sides.

Pay closest attention to the "sweet spot" the front part of your shaft that rests on your bridge hand usually the first 12- 15 inches of the shaft.

you will get the smoothest shaft on earth if you use this method regularly. the varnished portions of the cue should come clean with just a damp towel remember to dry it thoroughly.
Click to expand...

this method is only intended for solid wood cues if you play with plastic or plywood your on your own.
 
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