I get a lot of old cues with very dirty wraps. I recently received an old Model 5 Palmer from the 1960's with a rare Bob Meucci vinyl veneered forearm. The cue had Cortland or similar line and it was in good shape, just very dirty and stained from years of improper storage and exposure to humidity.
I've sent my wraps off for cleaning by cue makers with mixed results. You never know how a wrap is going to clean up under the dirt and the cleaning technique will vary based on what sort of stains are on it. If a wrap is worn out and you clean it, you just have a clean worn out wrap. So I learned now clean them myself and just have them replaced if I'm not happy with the wrap's final condition.
Here's how I cleaned this one and the photos are shown below.
1. Cleaning: I used a household spray cleaner, in this case, Clean and Simple (409 is good too) and sprayed it until the wrap is saturated, then rubbed it with a dry cloth to remove the dirt and grease. I let it dry, but there were still stains. You can do this more than once to clean a very dirty wrap. Some cleaners with soap will need to be followed by a cloth with clean water.
2. If Stained: Since there were still stains, I used a mixture of water and bleach, 8 parts water to one part bleach, rubbed it on with a cloth and let it dry. The wrap was now very clean but and had bristles like whiskers and was stiff.
3. Smoothing: After letting it fully dry, at least 3 to 4 hours, the wrap will now be stiff and the fibers will be raised. These are small fibers like hair that lift off the string when dampened. Take a piece of 1500 to 2000 git sand paper and use one hand to hold it on the wrap and the other to turn the cue. Work your way up and down the linen until smooth - it doesn't take much pressure or sanding to get a perfectly smooth wrap.
4. Sealing: It's best to seal the wrap to help keep it clean. I use wax paper and rub it up and down the linen until it gets nice and hot and transfers the wax to the linen. This leaves a finish similar to pressing.
5. A cue maker can press the linen after it's cleaned. They use a lathe and a linen press with rollers or a wooden block for a final super smooth finish. If the linen is not smooth enough, I'll have it pressed afterward.
If a wrap can't be cleaned, I have them replaced (by Scot Sherbine) for $40 with the closest to original wrap. I like to save them when they're in good shape. The pics make the linen look white bit that's the lighting - it's a white with green spec and the old linen is softer and closer to string than today's polished cords.
Before and after shown below. The wrap is soft and feels like new.
Chris
I've sent my wraps off for cleaning by cue makers with mixed results. You never know how a wrap is going to clean up under the dirt and the cleaning technique will vary based on what sort of stains are on it. If a wrap is worn out and you clean it, you just have a clean worn out wrap. So I learned now clean them myself and just have them replaced if I'm not happy with the wrap's final condition.
Here's how I cleaned this one and the photos are shown below.
1. Cleaning: I used a household spray cleaner, in this case, Clean and Simple (409 is good too) and sprayed it until the wrap is saturated, then rubbed it with a dry cloth to remove the dirt and grease. I let it dry, but there were still stains. You can do this more than once to clean a very dirty wrap. Some cleaners with soap will need to be followed by a cloth with clean water.
2. If Stained: Since there were still stains, I used a mixture of water and bleach, 8 parts water to one part bleach, rubbed it on with a cloth and let it dry. The wrap was now very clean but and had bristles like whiskers and was stiff.
3. Smoothing: After letting it fully dry, at least 3 to 4 hours, the wrap will now be stiff and the fibers will be raised. These are small fibers like hair that lift off the string when dampened. Take a piece of 1500 to 2000 git sand paper and use one hand to hold it on the wrap and the other to turn the cue. Work your way up and down the linen until smooth - it doesn't take much pressure or sanding to get a perfectly smooth wrap.
4. Sealing: It's best to seal the wrap to help keep it clean. I use wax paper and rub it up and down the linen until it gets nice and hot and transfers the wax to the linen. This leaves a finish similar to pressing.
5. A cue maker can press the linen after it's cleaned. They use a lathe and a linen press with rollers or a wooden block for a final super smooth finish. If the linen is not smooth enough, I'll have it pressed afterward.
If a wrap can't be cleaned, I have them replaced (by Scot Sherbine) for $40 with the closest to original wrap. I like to save them when they're in good shape. The pics make the linen look white bit that's the lighting - it's a white with green spec and the old linen is softer and closer to string than today's polished cords.
Before and after shown below. The wrap is soft and feels like new.
Chris
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