Yellowed balls- Is there a fix?

R

RiverCity

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I recently bought an old unused set of Albany/Hyatt balls that have been in the box, and they have yellowed. The balls are 'new', never played, so its not dirt etc.
Ive researched it quite a bit, and some people say just expose them to sunlight and the color will get whiter. Ive seen some people mention denture cleaning tablets even.

Is there a for sure way (and Im not talking about sanding them down.... :D) that anyone knows about, that will return discolored phenolic balls to something closer to white?

Thanks!
Chuck
 
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A couple of afternoons placed in the sunlight........you need to rotate the striped balls after awhile (say a day) so both sides get sunlight........it should help quite a but......especially with the long summer sunshine hrs.
 
What color did they ultimately become....................and remember.........................swollen isn't a color, nor is itchy.
 
Balls

I know a guy that has a pool ball restoration gig, a proprietary formula for restoring old phenolic pool balls.
It's a very tedious procedure but can bring the balls back from where they once were- white and clean like new.
I'll get time to post pics later.



Rob.M
 
I bought a set of early Aramith Centennials that were new in the box (blue box). They were flawlessly shiny, but were yellowish instead of pure white. I've had them in play for a couple years now and they have lightened up a bit, but still are not white. Maybe I'll try the sunlight treatment.
 
I bought a bunch of sets for a local pool hall that were yellowed.....within a month or two of being played with.....they turned white.
 
Bavafongoul said:
What color did they ultimately become....................and remember.........................swollen isn't a color, nor is itchy.
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They went Black after a day or so, but didn't fall off ... Praise the Lord.
2nd Wife had No sense of humor when it came to "other women".

Back on Topic - I have an Old, Perfect Set of Centennials which have yellowed.
I'll definitely try the Sun method. Thanks
 
dontlitethat said:
I know a guy that has a pool ball restoration gig, a proprietary formula for restoring old phenolic pool balls.
It's a very tedious procedure but can bring the balls back from where they once were- white and clean like new.
I'll get time to post pics later.
Rob.M
Click to expand...

I'm curious if Ultra-Violet light will work ?
 
Please post some pics after the sunlight treatment, I'm quite interested about this :)
 
The ball companies charge $250 a set and they can't, or don't want to stop the balls from yellowing after making them for a few 100 year? Total BS. Johnnyt.
 
Johnnyt said:
The ball companies charge $250 a set and they can't, or don't want to stop the balls from yellowing after making them for a few 100 year? Total BS. Johnnyt.
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Just go get your own PhD in chemical engineering and make it happen.

Unfortunately, UV light and oxidation are brutal and it costs a LOT of money in materials to resist the effects of these issues.
 
Rockin' Robin said:
I bought a bunch of sets for a local pool hall that were yellowed.....within a month or two of being played with.....they turned white.
Click to expand...

I have found this to be a reasonable solution.
On a personal table, it may take much longer because of lack of use.
The bottom line for me is that the balls play good, yellow or not.

The sunlight method will not be uniform.....just play pool, they'll be fine.
 
Yellowing comes with age. My balls are like rays of golden sunshine (without a breath of fresh air). :smile:
 
ideologist said:
Just go get your own PhD in chemical engineering and make it happen.

Unfortunately, UV light and oxidation are brutal and it costs a LOT of money in materials to resist the effects of these issues.
Click to expand...
I don't need one. The ball companies have them, but don't want pool balls to last forever. They need repeat sales. Johnnyt
 
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