Keepin' her clean. . .

What is the safest way to keep the 314 shaft as smooth and clean as possible? Better still: Neil, how do you take care of your own shaft?

[dags_lax]

I don't know what Niel does but my hands sweat a lot so I wash my hands constantly. If you keep your hands clean and dry your cue shaft will stay clean and smooth. One other thing that I will do two or three times a year is to use a little bit of mineral spirits (paint thinner) on a terry cloth towel to clean the shafts that I use on a regular basis. I want to emphasize that you should stay away from the use any chemical solvents on your shaft as much as possible as they will break down the fibers of the wood. A slightly damp cloth followed by a very light sanding with bay cloth or 1500 grit or finer sandpaper and burnishing with a piece of leather will give you a shaft smoother than glass. I only use a wax on the shafts of the cues that I don't play with. Remember a blue stained shaft is only a cosmetic thing and doesn't affect the playability of the shaft one bit, where constant sanding and the application of chemicals will.

Most importantly wash your hands before you shoot the first rack. Your may think your hans are clean, but they are not. Start with clean and dry hands and keep your hands clean and dry when you are shooting!

[Pool Addict]

I saw this in the WPCs recently. First of all, play in a well air-conditioned room where the air stays dry and humidity is low. Now here's what I saw: Get a bucket of ice with some water in it. Dip your hands in the cold water when your hands get sweaty then wipe it dry with a clean towel. What this does is keep your hands at a lower temperature thus stopping it from sweating..... :) Maybe this might work...:) And this lessens the need for powder since your hands are always dry...

[dags_lax]

Don't get me started on powders. They are only a short term solition as they will absorb the sweat on your hands and stick to the cue shaft making the problem worse in the long run! Also when powder gets on the balls, the cloth, and the rails, some really strange and unpredictable things can happen.

[Neil Fujiwara]

No powder, especially as a cleaner.

I actually like my shaft to get quite dirty, the oils in your hands build up a nice patina on the wood that is smooth if you keep it clean.

Before playing, I will wash my hands and with the paper towel that I just used to dry my hands I will wipe down the cue. I may need to do this 2-3 times a session depending on how long I play.

Other than that, I will use Karseal cue wax, a burnisher, and CueSilk, then the burnisher again.

My shaft does not look new, nor do I expect it to look new if I have played with it. I understand that many people like their shafts to remain clean and new looking. I don't believe that will be possible until they invent clear chalk.

Before playing, I will wash my hands and with the paper towel that I just used to dry my hands I will wipe down the cue. I may need to do this 2-3 times a session depending on how long I play.



The water won't warp the shaft?

[Neil Fujiwara]

If you look at the paper towels after using them, they are not very damp.