Simonis 860 - Damp Towel

[DrCue'sProtege]

seems like i am starting to have a problem with skids, now that my new cloth is several weeks old. when they removed the old Simonis 860 there was alot of chalk dust on the slate, and they told me that could be causing the problem with the skids.

anyway, was just wondering if its ok to clean Simonis 860 with a damp cloth? seems like i did that before, and for some reason or other got those very small, little tears in the cloth at various places. some people speculated they were jump shot tears, but that wasnt what caused it because i hadnt used the jump cue. others said the damp cloth wouldnt harm the 860.

thoughts? will a damp cloth get the dust off of the slate thats under the cloth? do i need to run a vacuum over it?

DCP

 

[Southpaw]

seems like i am starting to have a problem with skids, now that my new cloth is several weeks old. when they removed the old Simonis 860 there was alot of chalk dust on the slate, and they told me that could be causing the problem with the skids.

anyway, was just wondering if its ok to clean Simonis 860 with a damp cloth? seems like i did that before, and for some reason or other got those very small, little tears in the cloth at various places. some people speculated they were jump shot tears, but that wasnt what caused it because i hadnt used the jump cue. others said the damp cloth wouldnt harm the 860.

thoughts? will a damp cloth get the dust off of the slate thats under the cloth? do i need to run a vacuum over it?

DCP

You should NEVER wet the cloth. Take a brush and a dirt devil...works the best.

Southpaw

 

[cuejoey]

Use the Original Quick Clean by David Hodges...also get the large microfiber brush they sell..you may have to clean the table twice but it will look like new..it is well worth the price ..

 

[DrCue'sProtege]

Use the Original Quick Clean by David Hodges...also get the large microfiber brush they sell..you may have to clean the table twice but it will look like new..it is well worth the price ..

where can i find this stuff?

i bought a couple of cans from Steve Tipton in Peoria at a WPBA event a few years ago. its in a white can, and sprays white stuff all over the table. is this the same stuff? i used to just wipe it off with a white towel.

DCP

 

[cuejoey]

where can i find this stuff?

i bought a couple of cans from Steve Tipton in Peoria at a WPBA event a few years ago. its in a white can, and sprays white stuff all over the table. is this the same stuff? i used to just wipe it off with a white towel.

DCP

NO..it will say David Hodges Quick Clean..they are NOT close to the same formula...there was alot of posting about this about 2 years ago on AZ..there was talk of a person that tried to copy his formula and pass it off as the same BUT they do not work the same..if you watch pool on tv ocasionally Hodges is seen cleaning the tables for the pros.....i am not good with computers so i cannot provide links to past AZ posts..but there was alot of discussion about this if you look up the old threads..i only bought his and i know it works ..it will work better than you can imagine..i had white worn out looking lines on my table from doing the X drill and others..HIS product took it out !!! good luck let us know how it did for you.. i bought my can about 2 years ago..can't remember from whom..some pool hall pro shops may have it and most of the online pool/billiards/cue sites carry it..

 

[TheBook]

seems like i am starting to have a problem with skids, now that my new cloth is several weeks old. when they removed the old Simonis 860 there was alot of chalk dust on the slate, and they told me that could be causing the problem with the skids.


DCP

Are they saying that they did not clean the chalk off before putting the new cloth on? Now it is your problem. Something does not sound right here.

 

[DrCue'sProtege]

NO..it will say David Hodges Quick Clean..they are NOT close to the same formula...there was alot of posting about this about 2 years ago on AZ..there was talk of a person that tried to copy his formula and pass it off as the same BUT they do not work the same..if you watch pool on tv ocasionally Hodges is seen cleaning the tables for the pros.....i am not good with computers so i cannot provide links to past AZ posts..but there was alot of discussion about this if you look up the old threads..i only bought his and i know it works ..it will work better than you can imagine..i had white worn out looking lines on my table from doing the X drill and others..HIS product took it out !!! good luck let us know how it did for you.. i bought my can about 2 years ago..can't remember from whom..some pool hall pro shops may have it and most of the online pool/billiards/cue sites carry it..

thanks for sharing, sounds very interesting.

was wondering how long a can will last? should i buy two? and whats the deal with the special brush, where can i find one of those? i checked a couple of websites that had the Hodges spray, but didnt see anything about a brush?

DCP

 

[DrCue'sProtege]

Are they saying that they did not clean the chalk off before putting the new cloth on? Now it is your problem. Something does not sound right here.

i wiped it off myself when the slate was exposed, and still downstairs in my garage/poolroom. when you play 2-4 hours a day, seems like its easy to get alot of chalk dust in there.

DCP

 

[Ballistic Billiards]

or

I think he's talking about the chalk dust that has accumulated since
the cloth was put on.

Dirt devil and a brush.
-coop

Are they saying that they did not clean the chalk off before putting the new cloth on? Now it is your problem. Something does not sound right here.

 

[cuejoey]

thanks for sharing, sounds very interesting.

was wondering how long a can will last? should i buy two? and whats the deal with the special brush, where can i find one of those? i checked a couple of websites that had the Hodges spray, but didnt see anything about a brush?

DCP

Buy just one can..i bought mine about 2 years ago and it still has ALOT in it..i use it about once per month..my table is in a climate controlled room no windows and NO smoking .depending on your enviroment and budget you may use it everyday or whatever..when buying a microfibre brush buy the biggest one..some sites that carry the spray also have the brush but don't advertise that they do..at least that's what i found out ..call the site and ask them and it is well worth it...good luck..

 

[powderburner]

I use a vaccume anytime I see chalk dust on the cloth. In fact I like chalk different colored than the cloth that is easier to spot before it gets rubbed down into the cloth. Use a vac with a upholstery type fixed soft brush.

The other stuff was advertised to sound much like David Hodge's and even used his picture to hype the product. That alone is enough reason to stick with the original in my book.

The David Hodges microfiber brush I have is sorta like a dust mop head and makes it very quick and easy to wipe the table off. I also use a Sam's microfiber towel, seems to work ok. I would guess I use cleaner maybe after vaccuming the table 20 times so two cans will last quite a while.

 

[david hodges]

You can find it at Quick-Clean.com

 

[CaptiveBred]

I have not cleaned my table or balls in at least 4 months I like to keep my equiptment similar to anything I may play on in competition! And I am pretty lazy sometimes...

However, I have used damp rags on simonis many times... I don't see any harm. When playing the ghost, I'll wipe down the pocket facings and opening cloth so balls will fall easy (like brand new cloth, everything falls for the first week).

I used to use a vacuum when I obsessed about it. Just make sure you have a good filter or it will blow the chalk dust all over the room...


Only risk I see with a damp rag would be on your joints if they used a product like "Durhams Rock Hard Putty". If its bees wax, you'll be safe. Durhams disolves in water quite easily... that is what I use...

 

[Vahmurka]

That's just the way they clean the cloth at Pool Fusion room in Manila, Philippines. They wrap a brush in a damp towel and clean the cloth with that brush moving it from one long rail to the other.
I don't see anything wrong with dampening the cloth, for instance in case you want to remove pits from tapped rack moistening them is a way to go. It doesn't damage the cloth. (I'm talking about pure water, it's not the same story with beer and coke though )

 

[DrCue'sProtege]

ok, i went down into my garage and checked the old cans. they are white, and say David Hodges Quick Clean on them. they spray that white shaving cream type stuff all over the table. its what Steve Tipton was using at Peoria a few years ago to clean the tables during the WPBA event.

i assume thats not the same stuff? and its not as good as what you guys are talking about?

DCP

 

[Jaden]

That's just the way they clean the cloth at Pool Fusion room in Manila, Philippines. They wrap a brush in a damp towel and clean the cloth with that brush moving it from one long rail to the other.
I don't see anything wrong with dampening the cloth, for instance in case you want to remove pits from tapped rack moistening them is a way to go. It doesn't damage the cloth. (I'm talking about pure water, it's not the same story with beer and coke though )

If you do though, you'd want to use distilled water so that when it evaporates, it doesn't leafve behind mineral deposits.

 

[Purdman]

If you do though, you'd want to use distilled water so that when it evaporates, it doesn't leafve behind mineral deposits.

The KEY Word here Jaden is DAMP. I use a micro fiber towell and a small spray bottle. I don't wet the towell. I also use a dry wall extension and sanding head that the towell clamps on. I will spray the surface of the towell and do half the table. Spray it again and finish. The extension allows me to do the whole table from one end. There isn't anything to dry. I brush the tanle first.
Purdman

 

[Black-Balled]

I have not cleaned my table or balls in at least 4 months I like to keep my equiptment similar to anything I may play on in competition! And I am pretty lazy sometimes......

Ha! So true. I played a big event that had new balls/ cloth/ tables...every time I shot I was thinking, "how can I be expected to adjust to this?!"

 

[JimS]

You can find it at Quick-Clean.com

I use it on my Diamond. Great stuff. www.quick-clean.com

You need the started kit. Yeah I know it's $50 but you need that brush thingee... like has been said above. Just do it and your table will be the better for it.

 

[sygfrid]

anyway, was just wondering if its ok to clean Simonis 860 with a damp cloth? seems like i did that before, and for some reason or other got those very small, little tears in the cloth at various places. some people speculated they were jump shot tears, but that wasnt what caused it because i hadnt used the jump cue. others said the damp cloth wouldnt harm the 860.

thoughts? will a damp cloth get the dust off of the slate thats under the cloth? do i need to run a vacuum over it?

DCP

Yes you can

When I was still managing bowling & billiard halls, we would BRUSH the cloth first to loosen the dirt especially in between the weaves of the cloth. Then we would VACUUM the cloth to pickup the loose dirt that'll eventually go down after they'd flown from brushing. We would finish the cleaning process with wiping the cloth with a DAMP CLOTH to soften/dilute any powder/dusts that are stuck in the fibers of the cloth & that can't be removed by brushing nor by vacuuming. Also, using a damp cloth brings back the rich color of the cloth. I had observed that whenever we'd change cloths after 3-6 months of heavy usage, the dust on the slates are a lot less than those that are maintained by brushing and/or vacuuming alone.

If you're familiar with HAND-WASHING, you'll notice that the cloths are cleaner when they are hand-washed rather than when machine-washed. I think it's because the dirt in between the fibers are shaken loosely more this way. I guess the concept is similar with using a damp cloth for the billiard cloth. In addition, MICROFIBERS are highly recommended as they can trap dirt easily in between its fibers so that when you wipe your cloth, the dirt will actually be removed rather than be pushed further down the cloth.

I also noticed that the pinholes are the result of SCRUBBING rather than BRUSHING the cloth softly as the bristles of the brush can get caught in between the weaves especially with Simonis cloths as it's quite thin.

If you're running a pool hall, it's best to clean the table after use or in between usage. If you own a table at home, you can clean it at the end of the day