I Hate It When My Shaft Turns Blue...

Lux said:
How much chalk are you applying? If you are fiendishly grinding your cue into the chalk like a screwdriver like most pool players do, then what is there to wonder about staining the shaft? I agree with Lisa here. Chalk modestly and regularly wipe your hands and shaft in between frames. A lightly damp cotton face cloth is all you need. My cue is oiled ash which is porous and highly susceptable to blueing, but it isn't stained one bit.
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I'm not over-chalking or anything. I've seen people try to start a fire inside the cube... It's ridiculous... and a waste of chalk.

It's not that my shafts are stained. Currently, they look great! I've been using nothing but tan chalk ever since I started with some nicer equipment and would like to switch to blue. I just want to make sure that my shafts continue looking great.

My main objective from this thread was to find out if bluing of the shaft was inevitable (no matter how much care you take) when using blue chalk. I see that this is not the case.

It looks like I will be continuing with the Qwiz and adding a magic eraser and a couple of cotton cloths to the case. Hopefully I can find a place to pick up some Blue Diamond this weekend.
 
Try Mike Gulyassy's "Shaft Freeze" product. The shaft stays slick to the touch and never gets that chalky blue patina. I've had it done for 3 of my cues and I have been pleased with the results.
 
You can do this yourself or have a repairman do it.
Clean the shaft good once. Magic Eraser wetted with alcohol (not drinkable kind). If your shaft is really blued it might be necessary to use sandpaper on it. This where you might prefer a repairman to do that for you.

Sometimes I have to use ME, a shaft cleaner and very fine sand paper to get all of it, then go over with ME again. Clean ME residue off with alcohol, then go over with a sanding sealer. After that wax and burnish your shaft.

After the shaft is waxed, its easy to keep it that way by wiping the shaft down regularly and washing your hands if they feel gritty from the chalk or sweating.

Once a week or so depending on how much you play, you can continue to wax and burnish your shaft. Once you have a nice build of wax on your shaft, if you need to clean it, all you're doing is removing a layer of wax and adding more.

Depending on how good you are about it, you will find that shaft maintenance becomes easier.

Having a repairman do it once for you is a good idea, then if you set up a regimen of regular cleaning and waxing, you will find that visiting the repairman becomes less and less necessary.

Of course there are many ways of doing it, everyone has their preference, this is only the way myself and others do it.
 
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Good point. We can't get denatured alcohol where I live. I asked the pharmacist and he didn't know what I was talking about. Of course there might be other sources in the city that I don't know about.
I get the kind with 99% Isopropyl alcohol and thats as close as it gets.
 
Another vote for Shaft Freeze

I'm another of the fussy ones that doesn't like dirty shafts and ferrules. Shaft Freeze is the answer. Clean forever.
 
I use shaft burnishing papers to put an ultra-smooth finish on the shaft. This pretty much seals up all the pores in the wood and helps prevent the chalk from penetrating/sticking to the wood. I also put one of those cheap plastic/rubber caps on the tip to keep the chalk out of my case (http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=194336).

Cheers,
RG
 
Are you all sure that the bluing of the shaft has anything to do with the chalk that YOU are using(serious question not trying to be condescending)?
I have always thought it comes from dirty tables (most people use blue chalk). I shoot 95% of the time on my home table (kept very clean) and have NEVER had any significant bluing on my shafts. I have a friend who bought a brand new cue and within a few weeks his shaft was cover with the bluing. He shoots 99% of the time at a bar. Look at your hands when you are done shooting. I'm pretty sure that's where the bluing comes from. Just a thought.....
 
Blue Hog ridr said:
Good point. We can't get denatured alcohol where I live. I asked the pharmacist and he didn't know what I was talking about. Of course there might be other sources in the city that I don't know about.
I get the kind with 99% Isopropyl alcohol and thats as close as it gets.
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Lowes or Office Depot...or any large hardware store where they sell paint...typically in the paint section with the lacquer thinner.

Lisa
 
simplestroke said:
Are you all sure that the bluing of the shaft has anything to do with the chalk that YOU are using(serious question not trying to be condescending)?
I have always thought it comes from dirty tables (most people use blue chalk). I shoot 95% of the time on my home table (kept very clean) and have NEVER had any significant bluing on my shafts. I have a friend who bought a brand new cue and within a few weeks his shaft was cover with the bluing. He shoots 99% of the time at a bar. Look at your hands when you are done shooting. I'm pretty sure that's where the bluing comes from. Just a thought.....
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And a great thought it is!

I might be able to test this. I have an old beater cue that I take to the bar. I'll have the shaft professionally cleaned and start using tan chalk at the bar. I can use blue chalk at home and at the pool hall and see if the bar cue shaft still blues.

Those bar tables can get pretty nasty.
 
Mikey Town said:
And a great thought it is!

I might be able to test this. I have an old beater cue that I take to the bar. I'll have the shaft professionally cleaned and start using tan chalk at the bar. I can use blue chalk at home and at the pool hall and see if the bar cue shaft still blues.

Those bar tables can get pretty nasty.
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Your problem might not be chalk at all.
Think you have been shooting too many balls that are froze.

..check temperature of shaft and get back to us...:cool:
 
If you play pool with a wood shaft, there is nothing you can do avoid it getting down into the wood fibers. Every time you shoot with a rail bridge, or lay the cue down on the table, it is going to pick up dirt and chalk regardless of what color chalk you're using. Every time you touch something, you pick up dirt and the oils from your hands mix it all in. Every stroke you take, you are rubbing in all that stuff into your cue. Unless you want to use a fiberglass shaft, or seal the shaft like the butt is sealed, you are facing the inevitable.

Avoiding your shaft from getting dirty is like avoiding the sunshine when going outside. I don't mean to sound harsh, but you just have to accept it. You can clean it, but too much cleaning and sanding will wear it down.

I rather enjoy the nice, shiny coating cues have when they get blue over the course of time. The mixture of dirt, chalk, oils and what not give the shaft a rather desirable character.... IMO. I think once you get used to it, you will be a lot less stressed.

Kamui does have a new chalk and I will be trying it out in a day or so.

Mikey Town said:
I'm currently using tan Master Chalk for two reasons:

1. I have tan cloth on my home table.
2. I have heard from quite a few people that tan chalk can help keep your shafts looking nicer since the color of the chalk dust basically matches the wood.

I'd like to experiment with other chalk, primarily Blue Diamond since it gets such great reviews, but I don't want to sacrifice the looks of my cue... I've never been a fan of the "blueing" effect that chalk dust can have on a shaft. I think it would be easier to re-sell a cue in the future without the blue effect also.

I'm not really worried about my cloth... Hopefully I'll be recovering with some Simonis Tournament Blue in the near future ;)

What actually causes blueing in the shaft though? Is it carelessness and/or apathy by the people who don't mind it, or is it the chalk? If you do use blue chalk (like most do), is it possible to prevent the discoloration by simply keeping your shaft in mind and making sure to clean it often?

I don't think I'm the only person out there like this, but I'm the only one that I know. Does anyone else feel this way about the color of their shafts?

Also, I remember seeing a post a little while back that was sort of a teaser for a new kind of chalk. It looked white, or grey. A lot of people were guessing that it might be a new chalk by Kamui. Did anything come of that yet?


Thanks for your time,

Mike
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My bigger concern is the blueing of my balls.....the shaft, not so much.....

Best habits to keep up...

Remove chalk before you store it in the case
When chalking, keep the cue horizontal and brush it over lightly
Clean it every couple of months

Those three things together should keep your shaft clean....

Oh, and stay away from da easy wimmins :D
 
Master's sells a new clear colored chalk. Problem is finding it when you put it on the table.
 
Mikey Town said:
Do you know how I might be able to acquire some of the new Kamui chalk? Or is it just in the testing phases and not openly available yet?
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I have been selected as a candidate for a case study they're doing. It is not available to the public as far as I know. I am sure you will hear of it when it becomes available. I use Blue Diamond, have been using it for a couple years now and absolutely love it. I am also a huge fan of Kamui Tips and because of that, that is the only layered tip I offer in my shop. If the chalk is anything like the tip, it is sure to be a winner. I am not sure of the confidentiality of the testing process, so please forgive me if I don't reveal any further details at the moment. All I can say for now is that there is a new chalk.

Good Luck in your current situation, and I hope you find your answer.
 
NewStroke said:
Master's sells a new clear colored chalk. Problem is finding it when you put it on the table.
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I tried it, I could never tell when I had enough chalk on the tip...

So, instead, I no longer use any chalk and don't allow it to be used on my home table. So, no chalk, no blueing :)
 
I think it's part of the game. It just looks like you play pool. If you worry about it that much clean it really good, hang your cue on the wall, retire from the game, and admire your perfectly clean shaft every day!:thumbup:
 
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