home done cue polishing

cyrex

cyrex

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Can auto polishing compound be used to buff up the finish on a cue? Is there a good way for the average joe to bring out a good shine on a cue? I'm pretty handy and own a grinder wheel with a buffing pad. Polishing rouge? ~Thanks.
 
Yes auto polishing compound will buff most cue finishes. Be careful with your buffing wheel as I have eaten right through the finish with one before. So go real lightly after it or you may have a bad day. Riouge will do it also on some finishes. I would try the auto compound first. You can even use the auto compound by hand on a cloth, but it takes several minutes of brisk rubbing to bring out a shine. I knew a cuemaker who hated circular scrathes left by lathe polishing so bad that he would spend hours rubbing the cue by hand to keep from getting them.
 
Be careful when you're doing any power polishing. Chris is correct in that it's possible to go right through the clear. You're better off to try a very mild compound first unless the finish has bad scratches or scuffs. Two that I use are Meguiars "Scratch X" and 3M "Finesse". Do a search and you'll find them mentioned often by the CM's who frequent this forum. My business is cars, and the areas most fouled up by a novice are always the peaks, edges and tight curves. Your cue is 29 inches of curved surface. It's a lot easier to screw up than a big flat hood or door. You can always go more aggressive with your compound in any bad areas if necessary, but you can't go back once you have polished too hard.

Bill
 
Thanks!

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like going by hand at first is the way to go. A little elbow grease is cheaper than a refinish. My cue doesn't have any big scratches.. just the buttsleeve is kind of dull looking.
 
I'm not a cue maker but I've done my share of polishing.

I recommend NOT using rouge or rubbing compound. Try using auto polish (not wax... polish) as polish has a little bit of abrasive in it, or a very light cut polishing compound. Take a couple minutes extra with a less abrasive compound and use a very soft wheel. As has been said, it won't take long to cut through the finish, especially if you use an agressive compound or wheel. A slower speed is also helpful to avoid cutting too much.
 
I've used 3M "Finesse it" to remove that dull look from my playing cues. The cues don't have any dings, just minute surface scratches that can give the finish a hazy appearance. I put a few drops of the polish on a soft rag and simply polish it by hand. After a few applications, the finish comes out looking like glass! I think the key is to apply light pressure with rapid movement.
 
polishing your cue

Cyrex, Your just talking about the butt of the cue get some spray detail solution and put it on the rag first and rub it out. I like Q Slick for the Shaft

Johnny
 
Hey Rex,

I have Chris Hightowers cue buff. works great on my cue. Your more than welcome to come over and use my lathe after you get tennis elbow:p give me a call when your free.
 
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