Sanding your cue

Sanding

I have used sandpaper for 49 years, 200 grit, and just 'lightly' sand it every now and then, not all the time, and never had a problem with the shaft getting thin. Sometimes, how you do it is just as important as what you use to do it.

I don't care to use baby powder, too messy to deal with.
 
Snapshot9 said:
I have used sandpaper for 49 years, 200 grit, and just 'lightly' sand it every now and then, not all the time, and never had a problem with the shaft getting thin. Sometimes, how you do it is just as important as what you use to do it.

I don't care to use baby powder, too messy to deal with.
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Yeah,baby powder seems to penetrate into the shaft wood after awhile.
 
For years, I would clean my shafts regularly (about once per month). I would use a small amount of dish soap and hot water on a paper towel to remove the chalk and then wipe dry. This would raise the grain, so I would then sand with 200 grit sand paper. Eventually I noticed that this was causing the shaft to get thinner.

Now, I don't worry about it as much. I don't necessarily like the shaft dirty, but I don't sand as much, so it doesn't wear as much. That being said, if replacing the tip, I'll clean the shaft and sand very lightly (just enough to smooth it out) with 2000 grit sandpaper. As someone said, the Mr Clean eraser works really well. But anything with water still raises the grain, so I still have to sand lightly.

When done, I use caranuba wax to seal the shaft (doesn't really keep it clean, however). I don't know if this is recommended any more...maybe old school

John
 
Even using a fine grit like 2000, it still is sandpaper and you will be removing
material. One thing you might or will notice in time is that you will eventually see an hour glass shape just under your ferrule. That is where you stop the sandpaper.

As far as Graphite shafts. There is a product, Sil Kleen. All that is, is a lady's hair care product. If you go to the pharmacy and look for any product for the Frizzies thats what will work. The small bottle of Sil Kleen costs about 6 bucks for a few drops. I use Pantene. Its not anything that will last a long time but its good for a quick fix, specially on a graphite shaft.
That bottle of Pantene will last you almost a life time.
Just a few drops on the shaft, rub it in with your hand and polish it with a paper towel.
 
I recently started using mr. magic eraser with 91% isopropyl alcohol. Then I would use fine shaft slicker to polish it, but I really like the leather idea and will be using it from now on.
 
Snapshot9 said:
I have used sandpaper for 49 years, 200 grit, and just 'lightly' sand it every now and then, not all the time, and never had a problem with the shaft getting thin. Sometimes, how you do it is just as important as what you use to do it.

I don't care to use baby powder, too messy to deal with.
Click to expand...

I'm astounded that anyone would use sandpaper on a shaft, of any grit, but 200 grit? You've got to be kidding. I wouldn't even use 200 grit to shape a tip.

0000 synthetic steel wool (it's white and hard to find) removes microgunk and leaves the shaft undamaged. Takes a little more work but it's worth it. I've seen the Q-wiz's recommended but never tried one. I think they would be similar.
 
SeanC said:
I recently started using mr. magic eraser with 91% isopropyl alcohol. Then I would use fine shaft slicker to polish it, but I really like the leather idea and will be using it from now on.
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I looked at Magic Eraser and didn't see any contents listed. No thanks. The same for the other shaft cleaners. What's in them? Big secret.
 
2000000000000000000000 grit will remove wood, Its not necessary to use abrasives on shafts-except when they are first new every few hours 2 or 3 times. then a terry cloth and the water from drying your hands is enough, too much dampness is bad-so use a big towel.
 
CallShotCowboy said:
I use one of those green scour pads, you get to do the dishes with and it seems to get the job done.
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thats worse than sand paper, it really takes the wood off, sure it works but you will need new shafts often if you pay alot. I used them for a while before I learned there was a better way to get the same result without destroying my shaft. To be fair it does take a long time to learn how to care for shafts, anyone who's played pool for a long time has butchered a few shafts.
 
Have you tried a good old terry cloth? Grit is grit, but I understand your point. It does make the shaft feel glassy. I don't think it "cleans" any better than cloth but it does give it a different feel, just as burnishing with a piece of leather gives the shaft another type of feel.

But look at this logically. Why should a 2000, 4000, or 6000 grit paper take the grease off that a cloth couldn't? If you answer if the grit does it, then the grit is too much. I think you should just wipe with a cloth every time you go to the table.
 
risky biz said:
I looked at Magic Eraser and didn't see any contents listed. No thanks. The same for the other shaft cleaners. What's in them? Big secret.
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Melamine foam. According to the article, it's abrasive.

The article is here. http://home.howstuffworks.com/magic-eraser.htm

I've used one for quite a while and haven't removed enough wood to be noticable. I have a 314-2 shaft. I don't belive it's actually removing any wood. I do wax with Butcher's so this might be protecting the wood.
 
Pangit said:
I use 2000 grit on my cue almost every other day, or when it "feels" sticky. If I could get 4000 grit I would. Like burnishing paper. Pretty much polishing the shaft. It doesn't really reduce the size of the shaft, and even if it does, it's VERY gradual. I think it's great. Extremely slick. Efren likes it. Good enough for me. Is there any "negative"?
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Check the women pro's on TV. They generally wipe the shaft and butt with a Terry cloth towel between games.
 
Blue -

So I asked my wife about Pantene. Apparently Pantene makes lots of products. What exactly is the Pantene product for frizzies you use? Thank you.

Bumpa
------------
> As far as Graphite shafts. There is a product, Sil Kleen.
> All that is, is a lady's hair care product. If you go to
> the pharmacy and look for any product for the Frizzies
> thats what will work. The small bottle of Sil Kleen costs
> about 6 bucks for a few drops. I use Pantene. Its not
> anything that will last a long time but its good for a
> quick fix, specially on a graphite shaft. That bottle of
> Pantene will last you almost a life time. Just a few drops
> on the shaft, rub it in with your hand and polish it with a
> paper towel.
 
chevybob20 said:
Melamine foam. According to the article, it's abrasive.

The article is here. http://home.howstuffworks.com/magic-eraser.htm

I've used one for quite a while and haven't removed enough wood to be noticable. I have a 314-2 shaft. I don't belive it's actually removing any wood. I do wax with Butcher's so this might be protecting the wood.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. It wasn't a big secret at all!!!

Anything will remove wood from the shaft, even time itself (given enough time). It's about what you're happy with. Alcohol+magic eraser works wonders for me. I also use wax from time to time.
 
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