Cue question?

Question

whats the best way to clean a cue stick other than takeing it to a pro shop

Answer 1

Actually the dollar bill thing works quite well, if you use a new one.  it's an old trick one I've used for years.  I'm told a new bill has about the same coarseness as 600 sandpaper.  not entirely sure about that, but it wouldn't suprise me.  in bars I've actually added one other little trick, and yes I do use chalk on my hands.  the trick is that I put a little bit of the chalk on the dollar and rub it down, it ends up ruining the nice clean appearance of the bill (barmaids still take it, especialy as a tip), but works almost like wet sanding the excess talc falls away and I get a very smooth cue when I'm done.

Answer 2

First off, don't use anything abrasive unless you bought your cue at Walmart. Scouring pads can damage your cue.

Here's a method I was taught by one of the top cuemakers in the U.S.:

Buy one of those Mr Clean Magic Erasers. They can be found at any supermarket. Cut about a 1" strip, and soak it in the highest concentration of rubbing alcohol you can find. (You use rubbing alcohol because you NEVER want to put water onto your shaft). Then simply rub the cue clean. If you have dishwashing gloves wear those when you do it, otherwise pick up the Magic Eraser with paper towels so you don't get the alcohol all over your hands.

After the shaft is clean, burnish it with a piece of un-dyed leather, or very, very fine grade sandpaper. You don't want to take any wood off the shaft, just rub it until it is smooth.

There are also some cue specific cleaning products out there that you can find at billiard stores (online or brick and morter).

Answer 3

Hopefully you're asking about a wood cue and not graphite or fiberglass.  I usually use one of those green abrasive pads that you probably have in  your kitchen.  It will sort of sand it down a bit but it gets rid of that layer of dirt that builds up due to oil/sweat, chalk, and that baby powder/ talc, that some players use.  I do not clean my stick often maybe 2 times a year(I don't use the talc powder it's the biggest reason a stick gets dirty) and I play pool everyday.

When you do this you will notice the difference in the cue sliding across your bridge immediately.

If you don't beleive me try it on a bar stick first

Take Care

Hey matt wouldn't the finest sandpaper you can find be an abrasive

Answer 4

Just take a little bit of powdered detergent like tide or comet and sprinkle it on a damp rag. Rub the rag vigorously over the shaft and dry it off as soon as you are done. You may want to put a piece of scotch tape around the tip so you don't get it wet , that would possibly ruin it. After you dry it off thouroughly use a piece of scotchbrite on it. To finish it off wrap a dollar bill around it and rub it down hard. It should feel better than new. I understand Matts reluctance to use water but as long as you dry it off right away it won't hurt a thing. I have a lot of money wrapped up in cues and I wouldn't do anything to hurt them. I have cleaned my shafts this way for many years and haven't damaged one yet. I know the dollar bill thing sounds a little strange but theres something about the ink on a dollar bill that works really well.