Should I use baby powder to smoothen my cue stick?

Question

Would there be any problems if i used baby powder? since the oil on your hands gets on the shaft, i figured baby powder would smoothen it a bit, is this correct or would it mess up my stick? and what house hold products can i use to clean my cue? i've used alcohol preps to clean the tip of my cue and the ferrule, is there any problem with this method? any suggestions would help! thanks.

Answer 1

I have boxes full of billiard trophies (mostly nine ball, because it is EASIER than eight ball, straight pool, one pocket, etc... !), and I have owned my own stick since my mom gave me a Meucci oldie at age ten. It's your preference, I never use hand chalk or powder, but I don't think it'll harm the shaft. I just keep my hands clean, washing them before and during play. Every couple of years or so, and it has been as long as four (never use sandpaper often), I'll refinish my shafts starting with 1000 grit sandpaper, then 1500, and lastly 2000. I then finish it with four or five heavy coats of Minwax Finishing Paste, letting it completely dry between coats. A big gripe of mine is a shaft that is not PERFECTLY smooth and real, real slippery feeling!

Answer 2

First only use chalk on cue stick. baby powder will become doughy when you sweat. Second use "Old English Furniture Soap" to clean cue. Alcohol will dry it out and cause splintering.

Answer 3

baby powder only works good when you first put it on but it makes a mess everywhere then a sticky residue when you sweat thru it or your hands get dirty with chalk and the table...keep your shaft clean, guys at the pool room used to use a lil leather piece to rub down shafts...some people use those thin knit gloves on the bridge hand, that works also, but the best thing is to keep your hands and shaft clean...good luck and play well!

Answer 4

smoothen is not a word. it's smooth! I wouldn't put powder on the cue itself, put it on your hands and that should help with the sweaty palm issue.

Answer 5

no, use sand paper.

Answer 6

instead of putting it directly on the cue I would just sprinkle a little on to your hands and rub it into your skin that will give you a nice smooth movement on your cue

Answer 7

what i do that really works is i rub chalk on my hand and on the cue stick

Answer 8

Since your ferrule is most likely plastic, there shouldn't be any problem with using an alcohol prep to clean it.  If you're chalking properly, the ferrule should stay clean.  If you're getting a blue ring along the middle of the ferrule, it's an indication of improper chalking.  Be sure not to get any alcohol on the leather tip or the wood shaft.  As far as keeping your shaft smooth, there are products on the market specifically designed for this purpose.  Don't risk damage to your cue by using anything that you would just find around the house.  There is very fine grit sandpaper that you can use to smooth the shaft.  I believe it's marketed under the name, "Q-wiz".  There is also a good product called "cue silk".  A couple of drops rubbed into the shaft will make it feel more smooth.  These products can be found at any billiards supply store.  Any kind of powder that you use will end up making a mess, on your cue, your hands, and the table.  Cone chalk and baby powder should be outlawed.  You may want to just keep a towel handy to wipe your hands off if they get sweaty.  If you continue to have problems, you might want to consider wearing a glove.  Some people just seem to sweat excessively and this is a good way to keep it off of the cue.  Doingitright44 makes a good point.  Regular cleaning of your cue will take care of a lot of these issues.  For general cleaning, just a damp cloth quickly followed by a dry cloth will usually do the trick for cleaning your cue.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 9

Steel wool works great to smooth out your cue. Gets a real smooth surface. I've been doing it for years.I take off the varnish off my cue.

Answer 10

I just have  my cue put on the lave once every 2 to 3 weeks. Works fine. I dont really need any type of hand chalk.