Keeping a cue balls in the trunk. Is it weather sensitive

[brentinps]

I bought a new Instroke leather 3x5 cue case to replace my 3x5 cowboy vinyl.

I used to keep a red dot cue ball in the jump pocket. No cases really are made for that and I am not going to test the zippers and stretch the material in my new case.

QUESTION: Billiard equipment are protected by good cases and woods are sensitive to temp changes so cues should not be kept in your trunk for extended periods of time.... this is known...

But what about red dot cue balls..which are likely made of phenolic.

Can they be left in the trunk for extended times and will extreme temp changes effect the play/precision???

Wondering, Can't keep it in my case.

 

[victorl]

I'm no expert but I can't see anything happening to phenolic due to temperature changes.

Just to be safe though, I'd just keep the ball in the front pocket of my jeans. All the time.

 

[brentinps]

That's funny...that pocket is pretty well occupied.... and would not be not very comfortable: wallet, keys, and... thank you for the courtesy of your reply.

I am thinking like you.... w respect to phenolic... but temperatures in the summers and winters can be pretty extreme.

I guess a cue ball is solid phenolic material.... not like a golf ball which has a core and layers... but I am unsure about that fact. Thus... this post.

 

[cammel8]

That's funny...that pocket is pretty well occupied.... and would not be not very comfortable: wallet, keys, and... thank you for the courtesy of your reply.

I am thinking like you.... w respect to phenolic... but temperatures in the summers and winters can be pretty extreme.

I guess a cue ball is solid phenolic material.... not like a golf ball which has a core and layers... but I am unsure about that fact. Thus... this post.

Heres the thing. Phenolic is hard like that because its baked at like 500 degrees. unless your car is getting that hot I wouldn't think the ball would be effected by heat. As far as cold it is plastic, it shouldn't effect the longterm playability of it. However if they are in a car that is below freezing over night, you will see a slight difference in the play until they warm up but nothing significant and it surely won't hurt them in any way.

 

[mattb]

Temperature changes will affect how they play until they adjust to room temperature. I keep a set of balls (Cyclop TV set) in my truck year round because I like a good set to play one pocket with. I have never had an issue due to temperature change and they still play great. While they are cold, they seem to play slow but after about 30 minutes they seem to play normal. A place I play at keeps their balls on top of a small beer cooler where the heat from the back comes up and noticably warms them up. They play fast and seem to slide easier. But, like the others, 30 minutes later they play back to normal.

 

[sfleinen]

I would think that the main difference between wooden cue equipment (i.e. cues) and plastic/phenolic balls is just that -- the material.

Wood "moves" with temperature changes. Plastic does not. (Incidentally, tools with fiberglass handles are used over those with wooden handles in environments of extreme temperatures -- wood handles are known to be very brittle in extreme cold.)

Other than making sure the cue ball warms up before you start playing with it (to avoid any inconsistencies in play), I would think no harm would be done to the ball.

-Sean

 

[macguy]

I bought a new Instroke leather 3x5 cue case to replace my 3x5 cowboy vinyl.

I used to keep a red dot cue ball in the jump pocket. No cases really are made for that and I am not going to test the zippers and stretch the material in my new case.

QUESTION: Billiard equipment are protected by good cases and woods are sensitive to temp changes so cues should not be kept in your trunk for extended periods of time.... this is known...

But what about red dot cue balls..which are likely made of phenolic.

Can they be left in the trunk for extended times and will extreme temp changes effect the play/precision???

Wondering, Can't keep it in my case.

Oddly enough, it may change color. I have had cue balls stored and when you take them out they have turned yellow. They seem to turn back as they are exposed to light. Have no idea why???????

 

[brentinps]

Thanks everyone for your experiences and opinion. Guess I'll be keeping my cue ball in the trucnk for play. Funny how not cue cases are designed to carry a cue ball without stretching the zipper seams.

 

[Bob-O-Rama]

Oddly enough, it may change color. I have had cue balls stored and when you take them out they have turned yellow. They seem to turn back as they are exposed to light. Have no idea why???????

Phenolic based resins can undergo oxidation, producing strongly colored compounds which are primarily red or yellow. Exposure to UV will bleach these dyes. So I can believe your experiences. To test it, put a sacrificial yellowed ball out in the sun for an hour and see if the sun exposed side is a different shade.

-- Bob