Cue Care
The information on this page is provided courtesy of Mike Wooldridge www.HandMadeCues.com
You are playing in the final of the club championship. The score is 2-2 and it's a black ball game. You step up to the table, knowing that if you pot the black, you are the new club champion!
You carefully weigh up the shot, your nerves are shot to pieces but it's a straightforward pot, and you know this is your big chance to win. You place you feet in position and calmly lower your chin to the cue...
But wait! What's happening? Your cue feels like it's been dipped in glue and your skin is sticking to the cue with every movement you make! How can you possibly cue the shot smoothly?
You stay down on the shot anyway, grimly determined that this will not put you off but a little voice whispers in your head... "this feels really uncomfortable doesn't it?"
You draw the cue back and BANG... you miss! And what do you say to your friends after the game? 'My cue felt so sticky I just couldn't cue the ball properly. I can't believe I missed that black off the spot!
The following simple guidelines will help keep your cue silky smooth and in prime condition so this never happens to you...
Cleaning
DO - Always ensure your hands are clean and dry and free from grease and grime. If your hands feel sweaty, take the time to go and wash them but make sure you dry them thoroughly. If they're slightly damp your cue will drag over the bridge and feel sticky.
When you pick up your pint or another drink, the moisture on the outside of the glass makes your hands a little wet. You pick up the cue and now that's a little wet. Keep your cue dry!
DO - Keep your cue clean by occasionally wiping it with a damp (not dripping wet) cloth and then immediately buff it dry with a clean cloth, like a Cue Towel. This really works wonders with your cue and will leave it feeling super smooth.
If your cue has become particularly dirty, you may need a little help to break down the grease, so you can use one of the specialist cleaning products available.
DO - Apply cue oil to the shaft. This gives a smooth finish for comfortable cueing, an attractive appearance that ages naturally, and helps to stop the cue from drying out.
To maintain this finish, apply some cue oil occasionally, give it time to 'soak' into the wood, then buff it dry with a clean cloth. If the cue appears 'dry', repeat the application as many times as necessary.
It will not hurt the cue to put too much oil on because the wood will only take what it needs, but if you use it excessively, you may find it will feel slightly sticky. However, it will soon feel smooth again by regular buffing with a dry cloth.
It is a waste of time applying oil to the cheaper lacquered/varnished cues because the oil cannot get into the wood. Simply clean them as above. This will be good enough.
DO - Keep your cue in a case when not use. This protects it and helps to prevent it from warping.
Maintenance
DO NOT - Rub the shaft of your cue with sandpaper or abrasive pad. This is not the answer. This will destroy the finish of the cue, wear away the shaft, and scratch the surface, thereby attracting dirt. It may also allow moisture in and can affect the stability of the wood.
If you want your cue to feel smooth, simply clean it as above. Throw away those little bits of sandpaper and green/red 'scouring' pads in your case. You do not need them to make your cue feel smooth.
DO NOT - Lean your cue at an angle against the wall, or leave it near heat, e.g. a radiator. This is a sure-fire way of warping your cue!
DO NOT - Leave your cue in your car, or anywhere else that is likely to get cold or damp. This can cause the cue to 'sweat' and become very sticky, as well as cause any glue joins to raise, and possibly cause it to bend.
DO NOT - Bang your cue on the floor or the table, or throw/drop it! This can cause a number of problems, including dents on the shaft, splits in the butt, weights coming loose, broken joins etc., etc..
I have been known to hurl my cue from one end of the club to another in a fit of rage. But it's ok for me to do it, because I can make myself another one! ;-)
Q: What do you do the next time you are about to play that all important shot?
A:
- You stop.
- You take the time to wipe down your cue with a damp cloth.
- You buff it dry with a clean cloth.
This will only take a few seconds but you will get down on the shot with a silky smooth cue, and there will be one less worry in your mind distracting from playing the shot well.
You will pot the black.
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