Questions about "sealed" vs. "naked" linen wraps

[DogsPlayingPool]

I have a couple of less expensive cues, a McDermott for one, that seems have some sort of sealant or coating over the linen wrap. I also have a cue by a high end maker that does not have this but rather the linen appears to have nothing over it at all.

Though it may be, I'm not sure the coating is a clear coat like that which protects the rest of the cue. But it is definitely something rather than nothing on the custom cue by the high end maker. It almost fells like a wax coated linen rather than a clear coat, if this makes sense at all. Perhaps it is just a different linen with the less expensive cues using some sort of waxed linen and the higher end stuff using a more natural but higher cost material.

My questions are, what are linen wraps such as on the McD's sealed with and what are the reasons linen wraps are sealed or not? Or is it just some sort od waxed/coated linen rather than a sealant over the whole wrap.? Are there any particular reasons why I am finding this on the lesser expensive cues and not on the high end maker's stuff? I am wondering if it is because it is easier with a mass production cue to finish it, including the wrap, before spraying the clear coat on the batch as the last step (if that's what the coating is). I appreciate any insight you can provide on when and why a maker chooses to coat their wraps or not, and what is used. is coated linen typically not done on higher end cues? What are the considerations for a company or cue maker to seal a linen wrap or not?

Thanks in advance for the responses.

 

[ratcues]

The only maker to actually spray over the wrap is Meucci. Everyone else presses and burnishes the wrap to finish it. They may also use different sealers or wax on it. There are a number of options. It may also be that one wrap is older than the other, causing it to feel different.

My point is, a cue maker/cue smith can make a wrap feel the way you want it to feel.

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

The only maker to actually spray over the wrap is Meucci. Everyone else presses and burnishes the wrap to finish it. They may also use different sealers or wax on it. There are a number of options. It may also be that one wrap is older than the other, causing it to feel different.

My point is, a cue maker/cue smith can make a wrap feel the way you want it to feel.

Is it the cue maker that will coat or wax the linen or does the stuff come like that from the mill (kind of like waxed covered shoe laces)? Your reply actually brings up another question I have - what exactly is "pressing" wrap and also burnishing wrap basically the same thing as burnishing a shaft?

Thanks.:wink:

 

[ratcues]

The linen is not coated with a wax. I press my wraps wet to flatten the threads then press/burnish it once it is dry. Sometimes, I run a bead of sealer over it, depending on color.