That silky feel of the new shaft.....

Wolven

Wolven

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I think we all know how nice a new shafts can feel. It is a very smooth feel. I hope someone can give me a few answers on the following:

What is the best product to make the shaft feel soft and slick?
What do the manufacturers do to achieve this, what do they use?
Would type of a sealer affect the feel as well?
What is the best sealer?

Thanks for any input...
 
SlipStic
Tried it a month ago and love the feel of the shaft.
Clean it after each session and still holds up.

Myron
 
I never have used slip stic but I use Q-Slick if you have a lathe and can get it worked in real good it's some great stuff...;)
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Wolven said:
I think we all know how nice a new shafts can feel. It is a very smooth feel. I hope someone can give me a few answers on the following:

What is the best product to make the shaft feel soft and slick?
What do the manufacturers do to achieve this, what do they use?
Would type of a sealer affect the feel as well?
What is the best sealer?

Thanks for any input...
Click to expand...

One of the biggest problems with cue shafts is how to keep them moisture free. Your best bet is to put nothing on your cue shaft at all. People have tried everything from waxes to polishers (sometimes called slickers). The problem is that all products break down fast and worst is that they mix with moisture from the air and your hands. The result is "gunk" and your cue shaft is now a grit magnet making it much worse than before. The break down begins the moment you start stroking your cue.

All you need to do is make sure your cue shaft is conditioned with a conditioner that does not mix with moistures. Use a non-abrasive material such as leather to burnish the shaft once and a while, and keep a dry cloth around while you play.

Some people use sand paper or abrasive materials, plastic or paper. This will take away a layer and make the shaft seem smooth temporarily. If you do not mind your shaft slowly becoming thinner because you will eventually replace it, this method is probably not that bad.

In some regions, the humidity is so high that it seems that nothing works, in which case; 1. use a glove, 2. use a little powder - a good conditioner ( one that is moisture free and does not mix with moistures) will minimize the amount of powder needed and it will last super long.

In all cases, keep the shaft conditioned to protect it and a good conditioner will help maintain that new shaft feel.


Also, if your cue shaft came with a lacquer on it, you probably want to remove it.
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Here is my method, I haven't found anything that works better so far:

Wipe down the shaft with a damp paper towel to open up the grain.
Wipe down with isopropyl alcohol to remove any chalk or crap.
Wipe down with Ronsonol lighter fluid to remove any remaining gunk and close the grain up.
To maintain, use Ronsonol, and when the shaft gets dirty again repeat these steps.
 
I like to burnish with leather very often. About once a month I will use burnishing papers and then apply Slipstic. I like how slippery Slipstic makes a shaft.
 
> I'm planning on trying the Slip-Stic very soon,because there is always something better,but this is what I do to mine. Even with a brand new shaft,I take whatever they put on there off,unless I really like it,which is rare,and also take the sprayed finish back quite a bit closer to the joint collar,usually stopping 2" or so from the joint. For removing their sealer,I use denatured alcohol. I start with 1000 and smooth up the ferrule/wood joint by hand without the lathe turning. I move to 1200 and 1500 before applying a fresh coat of my own sealer,and use a little more than most. I lightly polish the sealer coat with 2000,then buff with a white polishing compound. I apply a nice thick coat of carnauba wax,and let it air dry for 15 minutes or more. I buff it out with a cotton rag,and reapply. I buff this out good and slick with a cotton rag moistened with a little 3-M Finesse-It,and let it dry. I then take the shaft out of the lathe and screw my cue together. I take several air strokes,and look for sticky spots,and polish those out with 3600 Micro-Mesh. All I have to do to keep my shafts feeling the same ALL the time is wipe them down with a rag,and occasionally a burnishing with a worn-out piece of 2000 or the Micro-Mesh. Sure they turn color cause my hands sweat,and it does take me 30 minutes or so to prep them this way,but NO one that has ever hit a ball with my cue can say with a straight face that they've ever felt shafts that slick,and I've had probably 30 tell me that they were TOO slick for their tastes. On a brand new shaft,they shine like they were clearcoated,with absolutely no drag. For humid or hot conditions,I use a different shaft that is just sanded with 2000 periodically,and has no sealer or wax on it. The methods I use and the results I show people brings me practically ALL the repair business in my area,at least from those that know me. Or in case time is an issue,you can just play with them right out of the box and keep them wiped down,and occasionally sanded with 2000 or some of the plastic lapping film that is sold as burnishing paper,and be just as happy. Tommy D.
 
clean/slick shafts

henho said:
Here is my method, I haven't found anything that works better so far:

Wipe down the shaft with a damp paper towel to open up the grain.
Wipe down with isopropyl alcohol to remove any chalk or crap.
Wipe down with Ronsonol lighter fluid to remove any remaining gunk and close the grain up.
To maintain, use Ronsonol, and when the shaft gets dirty again repeat these steps.
Click to expand...

I like Henho's advice above, it's very effective and inexpensive.

Will say that my cuemaker made a second shaft for me and I understand he used "french wax" applied while on the lathe I'm sure. After two years this particular shaft is clean, smooth, slick and resists chalk stain.:) Avoid sandpaper IF AT ALL possible.
 
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Wolven said:
I think we all know how nice a new shafts can feel. It is a very smooth feel. I hope someone can give me a few answers on the following:

What is the best product to make the shaft feel soft and slick?
What do the manufacturers do to achieve this, what do they use?
Would type of a sealer affect the feel as well?
What is the best sealer?

Thanks for any input...
Click to expand...
Here, running short on time but read this post from BDhttp://www.billiardsdigest.com/ccboard/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=ccb&Number=222034&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1
 
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