cleaning with lighter fluid

SILVER__WOMBAT

CHARLIE DONT SURF
Silver Member
ok so iv heard alot of ppl clean there cues with lighter fluid...my ? is what kind of lighter fluid...kingsford stuff for a grill or zippo stuff of a lighter...does it make a difference...there made of different stuff:confused:
 
SILVER__WOMBAT said:
ok so iv heard alot of ppl clean there cues with lighter fluid...my ? is what kind of lighter fluid...kingsford stuff for a grill or zippo stuff of a lighter...does it make a difference...there made of different stuff:confused:

NO - don't use either. You may want to do a "Search" on cleaning shafts to see what other do but lighter fluid is a no no. Much better and SAFER ways to do it.
 
I've used cigarete lighter fluid for several years and I like it for cleaning up right after using the shaft. It takes off what I've put on there during the period of play. I've not had any success using lighter fluid to clean a dirty shaft.

For a really dirty shaft I've used Cue Clean, which is an abrasive cleanser and which worked well. I've used Soft Scrub which is less abrasive but I didn't have a lot of success with it on really dirty shafts. The best and least abrasive appears to be Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I couldn't believe how easily that product cleaned up very stained old shafts with no abrasive soap... just a very minimal damp with water and the dirt/chalk/grime came off immediately leaving the shaft ready for burnishing. I've seen it recommended to use it dampened with alcohol. I haven't tried that. All my shafts are clean now.
 
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Everyone laughs like hell when I tell them I have to burnish my shaft. Whats so amusing about that. huh. TELL ME THAT WOULDYA!!!
 
cleaner

I sometimes use softscrub. It is a white creamy cleaner. I use a piece of table cloth to appy and then wipe it off with a clean piece of cloth. If you leave the cleaner on for a few minutes it will bleach the wood to a lighter color. I don't leave it on long. This stuff is a mild abrasive. Some "experts" say this is a no no. After I use this cleaner I use cue sandpaper. I then use cue wax and finally leather to burnish. I only do this whole process mayber once or twice a year. It helps to keep a moist cloth handy while player on often wipe your hand to keep them clean and stop the transfer of oil and dirt to the shaft or wrap.
 
kaznj said:
I sometimes use softscrub. It is a white creamy cleaner. I use a piece of table cloth to appy and then wipe it off with a clean piece of cloth. If you leave the cleaner on for a few minutes it will bleach the wood to a lighter color. I don't leave it on long. This stuff is a mild abrasive. Some "experts" say this is a no no. After I use this cleaner I use cue sandpaper. I then use cue wax and finally leather to burnish. I only do this whole process mayber once or twice a year. It helps to keep a moist cloth handy while player on often wipe your hand to keep them clean and stop the transfer of oil and dirt to the shaft or wrap.

There's a product called QClean that looks similar to soft scrub...I'd bet it's about the same thing.

As far as alcohols, lighter fluids, gasoline, or whatever, it'll eat the finish off of the cue! Keep those things as far away as possible!

Actually, to be completely honest...why the heck do you want to clean your shaft? Is it turning blue? ...so what?
 
Here's how you do it:

First, soak a large towel in lighter fluid, preferably the type you would use to start a charcoal grill, but anything that has at least three warnings on it saying, "DANGER! FLAMMABLE!".

Second, while the shaft is still wet, locate any dings or scratches on the shaft, the best way to do this is by repeatedly striking the cue against a very sharp corner and then quickly feeling for a ding, this is what Chinese philosophers call "revealing the Ding".

Once you've located a sizable ding in the shaft, and before the lighter fluid has dried, take a match, light it and quickly hold it to the spot where you located the mar, this will cause the grain to raise and the ding will vanish.

Don't be discouraged if a few shafts spontaneously combust, this is a known and accepted risk in the cue cleaning business.

Or, you could search for "slip stic" shaft conditioner. You'll spend $20 on it and it'll clean your shaft for well over two years.
 
MattRDavis said:
Here's how you do it:

First, soak a large towel in lighter fluid, preferably the type you would use to start a charcoal grill, but anything that has at least three warnings on it saying, "DANGER! FLAMMABLE!".

Second, while the shaft is still wet, locate any dings or scratches on the shaft, the best way to do this is by repeatedly striking the cue against a very sharp corner and then quickly feeling for a ding, this is what Chinese philosophers call "revealing the Ding".

Once you've located a sizable ding in the shaft, and before the lighter fluid has dried, take a match, light it and quickly hold it to the spot where you located the mar, this will cause the grain to raise and the ding will vanish.

Don't be discouraged if a few shafts spontaneously combust, this is a known and accepted risk in the cue cleaning business.

Or, you could search for "slip stic" shaft conditioner. You'll spend $20 on it and it'll clean your shaft for well over two years.

Dude you totally forgot to use your sarcastic font. :D
 
supergreenman said:
Dude you totally forgot to use your sarcastic font. :D

I pray night and day for a sarcastic font.

Unfortunately, all my calls to Microsoft are met with, "We're too busy eating crow over this Vista affair!" and "How did you get my home number?"

For now, I suppose I'll settle with Palatino Linotype as my sarcastic font... or my porn name... I've yet to decide.
 
MattRDavis said:
Here's how you do it:

First, soak a large towel in lighter fluid, preferably the type you would use to start a charcoal grill, but anything that has at least three warnings on it saying, "DANGER! FLAMMABLE!".

Second, while the shaft is still wet, locate any dings or scratches on the shaft, the best way to do this is by repeatedly striking the cue against a very sharp corner and then quickly feeling for a ding, this is what Chinese philosophers call "revealing the Ding".

Once you've located a sizable ding in the shaft, and before the lighter fluid has dried, take a match, light it and quickly hold it to the spot where you located the mar, this will cause the grain to raise and the ding will vanish.

Don't be discouraged if a few shafts spontaneously combust, this is a known and accepted risk in the cue cleaning business.

Or, you could search for "slip stic" shaft conditioner. You'll spend $20 on it and it'll clean your shaft for well over two years.

:eek:
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I've used Mr Clean magic eraser on my shafts and they work wonferfully well.
 
MattRDavis said:
Here's how you do it:

First, soak a large towel in lighter fluid, preferably the type you would use to start a charcoal grill, but anything that has at least three warnings on it saying, "DANGER! FLAMMABLE!".

Second, while the shaft is still wet, locate any dings or scratches on the shaft, the best way to do this is by repeatedly striking the cue against a very sharp corner and then quickly feeling for a ding, this is what Chinese philosophers call "revealing the Ding".

Once you've located a sizable ding in the shaft, and before the lighter fluid has dried, take a match, light it and quickly hold it to the spot where you located the mar, this will cause the grain to raise and the ding will vanish.

Don't be discouraged if a few shafts spontaneously combust, this is a known and accepted risk in the cue cleaning business.

Or, you could search for "slip stic" shaft conditioner. You'll spend $20 on it and it'll clean your shaft for well over two years.
that's "releasing the inner Ding" NOT "revealing the Ding" :D
 
????????????

Whats wrong with a little dirt on shaft. Before I put my cue in case I wipe down butt with soft cloth- do the same to shaft then remove chalk from tip burnish shaft with leather do not burnish ferrule put both in case. Trust me the longer you repete this routine the slicker shaft will become an it will always stay the same size. Always use rough side of leather try it you'll like it.
Pinocchio
 
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