Did I ruin my balls?
- Thread starter iNViD
- Start date
Er, try soap and water to see if you left cleaner on there. You probably scoured the finish off. Aramith ball restorer may help but they are probably ruined. 
Er, try soap and water to see if you left cleaner on there. You probably scoured the finish off. Aramith ball restorer may help but they are probably ruined.
what finish? they are a solid phenolic.
RiCHiE$RiCH
Banned
Wow. That sucks.
As others have suggested, your local pool hall with their ball polisher and ask their advice. If you're left up to doing it yourself, try the most mild car wax you can find and work your way up the grits. Kinda like sharpening a knife. A microfiber towel would also be a good idea with those car waxes. Best of luck and let us know how it goes
*edit wait, I guess that's not the same as knife sharpening. Anyways, start off fine , you can always go more aggressive. FYI I suck at sharpening
*edit wait, I guess that's not the same as knife sharpening. Anyways, start off fine , you can always go more aggressive. FYI I suck at sharpening
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if they don't skid, they're not ruined.
it's called "improved".
it's called "improved".
So if I've just accidentally invented a ball that doesn't skid I'm going to be a millionaire. And you guys are gonna have to get a cut too.
Looks like you just have to scrub them a bit, try using a magic eraser on them and see if the stuff comes off.
If not, they don't look all that bad if they play OK, I'd leave them as is. There are plenty of sets that were made to look like that on purpose.
If not, they don't look all that bad if they play OK, I'd leave them as is. There are plenty of sets that were made to look like that on purpose.
I noticed on the 3 and 8 there are some clear areas. On the 8 it looks like an abrasion but on the 3 they look clear as if the Mr Clean didn't adhere to those areas. Hopefully, it's just a film on the balls.
I agree with the others, check at the local pool hall or visit a billiard supply store and see if you can rent a cycle on their ball cleaner.
I agree with the others, check at the local pool hall or visit a billiard supply store and see if you can rent a cycle on their ball cleaner.
put them in the dishwasher with NO soap.
They definitely polish them up, though. If you scour that polish off and get them re-polished or something by Aramith, they will be a different size.
They have a finish. Yes it is solid phenolic but it is highly polished phenolic. And when a harsh cleanser is used it eats away that nice buffed finish and leaves a pot marked surface.
They now look like the old speckled balls from the turn of the last century. They WERE in style back then.
Well there is a silver lining in every cloud ... even this debacle. When you replace them you can get a set of Centennials. :grin:
Don't put them in the dishwasher.
Don't use some other Mr. Clean product on them.
Don't use car care products on them.
I would not use a pool hall's ball machine and if it were my machine I wouldn't let you use it.
Get Aramith ball polish or Chem-Pak ball cleaner and polish. Put on a light coat of polish and let it dry. Rub it off. Repeat.
Those polishes are mildly abrasive and help remove whatever you have gotten onto the surface. The will also remove scuffs and abrasions.
Don't use some other Mr. Clean product on them.
Don't use car care products on them.
I would not use a pool hall's ball machine and if it were my machine I wouldn't let you use it.
Get Aramith ball polish or Chem-Pak ball cleaner and polish. Put on a light coat of polish and let it dry. Rub it off. Repeat.
Those polishes are mildly abrasive and help remove whatever you have gotten onto the surface. The will also remove scuffs and abrasions.
Sell them for $35?
