Ways to remove shaft discoloration?

V

vratner

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Hi all. I recently bought a couple of used cues, and one of the shafts has this greenish/blueish tint to it, which drives me absolutely insane. I mean, the cue is beautiful, and to me it just takes away from the way it looks/shines. I did some research before posting here, and it seems that a combination of oil/grease/dirt from hands with using blue/green chalks would cause this effect. Some people recommend using wax, others furniture polishing remedies. But I thought before trying any of those methods I would ask the pros and people who have successfully dealt with this situation. So what does it take to remove this discoloration? Can it be removed completely, or just partially? Can I do it myself, or should I send it somewhere? Any help is greatly appreciated. Oh, the wood is maple. Thanks in advance.

-Vlad
 
vratner said:
Hi all. I recently bought a couple of used cues, and one of the shafts has this greenish/blueish tint to it, which drives me absolutely insane. I mean, the cue is beautiful, and to me it just takes away from the way it looks/shines. I did some research before posting here, and it seems that a combination of oil/grease/dirt from hands with using blue/green chalks would cause this effect. Some people recommend using wax, others furniture polishing remedies. But I thought before trying any of those methods I would ask the pros and people who have successfully dealt with this situation. So what does it take to remove this discoloration? Can it be removed completely, or just partially? Can I do it myself, or should I send it somewhere? Any help is greatly appreciated. Oh, the wood is maple. Thanks in advance.

-Vlad
Click to expand...

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser!

http://www.mrclean.com/en_US/magic-eraser.do

its the only thing I use for everything! Go to any CVS, Walmart, Home Depot, hardware store, etc and pick up a box for a few bucks.
 
lol...Magic Eraser x 3 or is it 4..lol

I've received some real deeply stained blue shafts on cues I've purchased and even though I like my shafts cleaner looking never though twice about it since I found Magic erasers. I use mine with a tiny bit of water but other people will recommend using them with alcohol to prevent raising the grain as much as water could. I then burnish the shaft with a piece of leather after each cleaning and depending on feel sometimes apply a thin coat of wax. I do it all without a lathe or cue repair guy but either of those would be ideal :) A really badly stained shaft might take a couple cleanings but most come clean fairly quickly.

I'm sure you'll get some really good cleaning tips besides what I've offered.

If you search AZ for shaft cleaning there is lots of information. I'm just partial the magic erasers as it always does the job well on my cues.

Good shooting to you,

Kevin
 
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Thanks, everyone. Seems that we have a consensus here :) . I will give it a try tonight, and will post the results. Thanks again.
 
If they are really bad, then a lathe would help you out better.

I generally use Isopropyl on the Magic Eraser but you can also use ammonia.

Ammonia will help out the ME and cut dirt a bit better.

For really bad shafts, I use Acetone. It will dissolve any chalk dust and make the shaft look like the day it was first screwed onto the butt.

Keep in mind that I keep the Acetone in the shop to dissolve CA glue from my sometimes clumsy fingers.

Acetone will also melt or soften certain types of material used for joint collars and ferrule material so you never want to go right to the end.

Caution is recommended. Never use Acetone on a laminated shaft.
 
liquid

any liquid is going to raise the grain...................................................
all very good advice.
I would reseal the shaft after cleaning it.
MMike
 
strmanglr scott said:
Which leads me to my question of, does anyone know of something to prevent it from happening?
Click to expand...

1) After cleaning, wax the shaft with Butcher's Bowling Alley wax or one of the many cue waxing products out there.

2) In chalking your cue, be a "painter", not a "grinder". Lean your cue somewhat to the side so that the small amount of chalk dust you do produce falls to the floor, not down the shaft.

3) Keep your hands clean.

4) Accept that even with these practices your cue will still become discolored over time and require maintenance.
 
People use many different wood sealers and wax.

Myself, I use a shaft sealer from Chris Hightower. 2 coats, burnish and a couple of coats of wax and burnish.

You don't need a lathe to put on a sealer and wax.

Some may put a coat of wax on weekly. Before waxing, one might use one of those Q Whiz pads to take a little of the wax off before applying new.

Its inevitable, you will get chalk on your hands and the shaft. The only thing you can do is prolong it by maintaining your shaft properly.

Keep your hands clean. Wipe the shaft off with a damp paper towel and dry after use.
 
vratner said:
Hi all. I recently bought a couple of used cues, and one of the shafts has this greenish/blueish tint to it, which drives me absolutely insane. I mean, the cue is beautiful, and to me it just takes away from the way it looks/shines. I did some research before posting here, and it seems that a combination of oil/grease/dirt from hands with using blue/green chalks would cause this effect. Some people recommend using wax, others furniture polishing remedies. But I thought before trying any of those methods I would ask the pros and people who have successfully dealt with this situation. So what does it take to remove this discoloration? Can it be removed completely, or just partially? Can I do it myself, or should I send it somewhere? Any help is greatly appreciated. Oh, the wood is maple. Thanks in advance.

-Vlad
Click to expand...

Do not use wax or furniture polish. You do not want to do anything that will give your cue shaft tack.
 
strmanglr scott said:
With use it will come back with use of course.

Which leads me to my question of, does anyone know of something to prevent it from happening?
Click to expand...

Here's what I do - hope it's helpful to you: After cleaning the shaft with alcohol and Magic Eraser, I give it two coats of Bowling Alley Wax. After each playing session, I'll give the shaft a quick once over with a strip of Magic Eraser (I cut a piece about 3/4x3/4x4 which fits into my cue case). This will clean it very well. About every month or two, I'll give the shaft another coat of wax (which is a cleaning wax). This will keep that shaft looking like new and keep it very slick. Maintenance will only take a minute or two after each playing session and you'll never have a dirty shaft again.
 
more important is cleaning the shaft after play with a towel BEFORE you put it back in the case. if the case is already dirty with chalk use a shotgun cleaning rod.

carl
 
Try taking some Mothers Chrome Polish thin it with a little water and burnish the shaft with a soft cloth, not only will it clean it, the shaft with be smooth as glass. Paul Fanelli showed me this 20 years ago. Works like a charm...
 
Cue

Thanks to all who provided the tip using the magic eraser as i recently got a cue with the dirtiest shaft i have ever seen and i went to target bought some m. Eraser and you should see the results. Its hard to believe just how good this works........ Think i'm now going to try out the chrome cleaner to see just how slick i can get the shaft.....nothing like azbilliards
 
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