Finish Problems ...

WilleeCue

WilleeCue

The Barefoot Cuemaker
Silver Member
Doing a new shaft for an existing cue.
Used masking tape to protect the finish of the forearm but when the tape was removed a large portion of the finish lifted with it.
This is not a cheap offshore cue but a fairly new, supposedly high quality American made product.
Defiantly not auto clear coat and more like a thin lacquer finish.

This is the first time in 10 years this has ever happened.
Any other cue repairmen run into this?

Now, instead of making a bit of money on a new shaft, I have a free refinishing job to do and will end up losing money thanks to this cheap finish.

Should I send the original cue maker a bill for upgrading his work?
 
Finish Problem

Feather sand back into the finish. Then use water white laquer. It dries in a couple of hours. This has happened to me, I now use paper under my mask on any cue that I didn't build. I think this is a lesson learned. Hope this helps...
Good fortune Willicue
P
 
I have this happen about once every three months. Its one of those things that makes me lose my mind and swear a little(lot).
 
sonofthunder said:
Feather sand back into the finish. Then use water white laquer. It dries in a couple of hours. This has happened to me, I now use paper under my mask on any cue that I didn't build. I think this is a lesson learned. Hope this helps...
Good fortune Willicue
P
Click to expand...

Good tip.
Wish I had done that.
Thank you.
 
WilleeCue said:
Doing a new shaft for an existing cue.
Used masking tape to protect the finish of the forearm but when the tape was removed a large portion of the finish lifted with it.
This is not a cheap offshore cue but a fairly new, supposedly high quality American made product.
Defiantly not auto clear coat and more like a thin lacquer finish.

This is the first time in 10 years this has ever happened.
Any other cue repairmen run into this?

Now, instead of making a bit of money on a new shaft, I have a free refinishing job to do and will end up losing money thanks to this cheap finish.

Should I send the original cue maker a bill for upgrading his work?
Click to expand...

You just live and learn. This has happened to me a number of times. Twice by the same make, high dollar cue maker. I now turn down working on this man's cues and tell the owners the reason for not working on them.

Dick
 
Willee, use seran wrap from now on instead of tape. It relies on static to adhere to the cue rather than adhesive, and won't lift the finish when peeled off. Lesson learned the hard way.
 
Willee, ever hear the phrase, you touch, you own. It tough action and we all have been there. With all the new guys trying to break into the business, their are just as money that won't work on certain cues anymore.
 
repair

Willie,
Letting the original cuemaker know there was a problem with their work would be a professional courtesy in my mind. Remember they can't fix a problem without knowing it exists. If it was my cue, I would like to know so that I could change my way to make a better product. If I had already corrected that flaw then I could let the repair person know the situation.

We're all in this together, why not help each other? We've all fixed someone's mistakes at times and had to eat it. We all have made missteaks at times, too. How would you like to be treated if the position was reversed?
Tom Gedris, Triple Cross Cues:cool:
 
One more tip.

You said you used masking tape!? Some of that stuff has pretty strong adhesive. If I'm taping over a finish, I use the blue painter's tape. Painter's tape will protect the finish, but not stick quite so strongly.

I don't know about "billing" the original maker, but, if it were me, I'd certainly like to know that there may be a problem with my finishing technique.
 
Last edited:
I only use duct tape brand painters tape. I tried shurgrip from wallmart a while ago and ran into this issue as well.
 
Michael Webb said:
Willee, ever hear the phrase, you touch, you own. It tough action and we all have been there. With all the new guys trying to break into the business, their are just as money that won't work on certain cues anymore.
Click to expand...

Mike, that is partly why I was so steamed up about it.
I have had some time to calm down and think.
I take full responsibility for the damaged finish even though I know it was a bad finish to start with.
The tape I used was the blue painters stuff and I never have had it damage a finish before.
I will not even say anything to the fella about the quality issue other than to explain the extra time I needed with "I damaged the finish and had to fix it".
I will not "talk down" the cue maker to the owner of the cue or make any comment about the quality of materials used to make it.
I will fix it, it will look great, and he will be happy with the new shaft for it. Life will be good once again.

I guess this is just part of paying due's, Mike ... I hate paying them like this but it happens.

Thanks everyone for some really good tips on avoiding damage like this in the future.

I think the suggestion to send a polite email to the maker of this cue is a good one.
I will tell him about this so he will be aware the finish he used on this cue was not up to the quality that is normally associated with his name.
I would want someone else to do the same for me.
 
WilleeCue said:
Mike, that is partly why I was so steamed up about it.
I have had some time to calm down and think.
I take full responsibility for the damaged finish even though I know it was a bad finish to start with.
The tape I used was the blue painters stuff and I never have had it damage a finish before.
I will not even say anything to the fella about the quality issue other than to explain the extra time I needed with "I damaged the finish and had to fix it".
I will not "talk down" the cue maker to the owner of the cue or make any comment about the quality of materials used to make it.
I will fix it, it will look great, and he will be happy with the new shaft for it. Life will be good once again.

I guess this is just part of paying due's, Mike ... I hate paying them like this but it happens.

Thanks everyone for some really good tips on avoiding damage like this in the future.

I think the suggestion to send a polite email to the maker of this cue is a good one.
I will tell him about this so he will be aware the finish he used on this cue was not up to the quality that is normally associated with his name.
I would want someone else to do the same for me.
Click to expand...


Nope, not paying dues, it's very aggravating. But some guys don't understand the proper steps to make the finish bond well. I see it all the time as you do, every time someone talks about sealing a cue, those same old guys post their 1 to 5 minute cures to sealing the wood.
 
a quick tip from being in the auto collision/ painter industry for quite a while is that when your putting tape on your finish first put the tape on your jeans or t shirt 2-3 times and the tape will still stick but not to the point where it wil lift finish.:grin:

hope this helps
 
Had this happen to me once when I was installing a leather wrap. You just don't know what you'll run into working on other peoples stuff. If I had built the cue, I'd appreciate an email or call. Good luck
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top