Shaft Cleaner/Sealer...

Zims Rack

Promoting the Cueing Arts
Silver Member
Is alcohol okay to use when cleaning shafts if diluted a little with water? What is a good liquid to clean dirty shafts with?
Is a diluted laquer okay to use as a shaft sealer?

The reason I'm asking is, I received some shaft sealer and cleaner with my lathe and the container is labeled what it is, but not it's exact compsition. After smelling both of them, I found some common items that smell the same.

Help please!!
Zim
 
Well, the rule of thumb normally is to never use any cleaner that contains water, including isopropyl alcohol. The best stuff i've found is denatured alcohol. You can buy it in a big can at walmart for like 4$. It's pure alcohol and my shaft has never swollen or the external grain become soft. If you do use something with water. Make sure the cleaner is cold so that the wood doesn't expand and the pours get bigger in the wood which would allow water absorbtion faster. Also as soon as you put it on.. Wipe it off as quickly as possible then burnish.

Try the denatured alcohol... It's great stuff.
 
Shaft Cleaner

I Am Always Trying New Things To Clean Old Shafts. I Pick Up Junk Cues From Local Players That Are Beat Up, And See What I Can Do With Them. Try Fast Orange, Or Gojo, Hand Soap On A Towel, If You Are Looking To Get Them Clean. Wipe With A Dry Towel Only, Do Not Add Water. Wipe Again With Fresh Dry Towel, And Then Burnish. The Pumice Gets The Dirt Out But Isn't Gritty Enough To Take The Wood Down. Try That You May Like It. I Have A Buddy That Uses Outdoor Deck Bleach, But I Don't Know If That Will Hurt The Wood.
 
Alchohol can be bad for some glues and finishes. You won't find a sealer anywhere local (like a hardware store) that is the same as the shaft sealer you got with your lathe. Thinning down laquer will not give the same results. Ask Blud as he and I have used pretty much the same type of sealer for years and it is not a hardware store item. As for the cleaner you won't find anything that strong in the hardware store either. But you can find some weaker cleaners that are very simliar at hardware store. You have to be careful with your cleaners as some have reactions with chalk and turn ferrules purple. No kidding. The best cleaner that I ever found for cleaning shaft wood would sometimes totally destroy the color in ferrules made out of hard materials like cue balls are made of. It would also turn the chalk spots on cue balls purple. And the purple was permanent. Watch out for cleaners with heavy bleach as they really don't clean any better, but simply dye (bleach) the chalk dust white while destroying the fibers in your shaft wood. Shafts look better after bleaching but you are damaging the shafts.
Back to alcohol for second. Some have had it cause tips to start coming loose on the very outside edge of the ferrule. It is probably acting like a reducer and breaking down the glue. Laquer thinner can do the same thing. I still have not discovered the perfect sealer or cleaner but just continue using the best I have found so far. All I have tried had their down sides. So we keep learning and hopefully someone some day will invent the perfect products.
Chris
 
Hey Zim

I have been using Chris's products for several years. They are the best I have found. You have seen what they can do.
Don P. :cool:
 
jhendri2 said:
'Um, update a hick here, what products does Chris make?

thanks,

Jim
Chris Hightower makes a shaft cleaner, sealer, and shaft wax. They all work very well.
Don P. :cool:
 
jhendri2 said:
'Um, update a hick here, what products does Chris make?

thanks,

Jim
Chris Hightower www.cuesmith.com has many products available. He makes the Cue Smith Lathe in various models, has cleaner and sealers available, along with many tools and wood variations. Check out his site, you wont be disappointed. I currently have a Mid-Size Cue Smith lathe and LOVE IT!!
I know his products work, just thought I would try to get them locally. I will be ordering more from Chris next month.

Zim
 
Thanks fellers, I bookmarked his page. I'll place an order with him next time I'm in need.

Learn somthin' new everyday!!

Jim
 
For awhile everyone was exclaiming how well Mr. Magic Eraser worked on cleaning shafts. Did someone discover a big problem with that product? If so what was the problem? I try to wash my hands before playing and wipe down the cue with a barely dampened terry cloth after playing, and then burnish with a piece of leather or 1800. Even so eventually the cue needs a cleaning and I am approaching that time
 
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