Simple Cue Maintenance

Complete Pool Cue Maintenance

It is necessary to have your cue professionally cleaned or repaired at regular intervals, but weÕd like to share some simple tips to follow before, during, and after play that will increase its longevity. Your maintenance will reduce the costs for professional care and increase your overall performance. We believe if you take advantage of pool cue maintenance, it will give you the advantage on the table!

Before play we recommend washing your hands, wiping down the cue with a soft cloth, brushing off the table and checking your tip. The same can be said for after you finish playing. Joint protectors are always helpful, as well as keeping an eye on warp. Make it a habit to do these basic things before and after play. Next, letÕs discuss other things you can do to get the most out of your cue components including the tip, ferrule, shaft, wrap and butt.

The more you care for your tip, the less you will have to replace it; itÕs just that simple. A Dime Custom Cue will come custom-scuffed and ready-to-go, but the tips of some new cues will need to be shaped and scuffed. We are happy to do this for you or you can do it yourself with one or more of many products available, like the Tip Pik, Cue Cube, Brad Scuffer or a Tip Tapper. In doing it yourself, just scuff the tip to your preferred roundness - about the size of a dime if you put the dime flat against the ferrule and tip. Repeated scuffing is the best way to keep your tip in good repair. We recommend doing this as often as you need, but try not to take the tip down too far. It is time to scuff your tip if you miscue more than usual, as it is likely the tip is no longer holding the chalk. The condition of your tip can also affect the accuracy and precision of your shots - all the more reason to protect and maintain it.

It is common for a tip to become misshapen and begin to look like a mushroom after several hours of pool playing. It will start to come out wider than the ferrule. It is possible to repair this yourself by trimming off the ŌmushroomedĶ portion, but we recommend having it professionally repaired. It is easy for us to do, and inexpensive and quick for you. Sometimes, itÕs just better to replace the tip entirely. A professional can help you make that decision, keeping your overall cue maintenance and performance in mind.

Keeping the ferrule clean will depend on what type of ferrule it is. Synthetics, like Ivorine, Melamine (Ivorine III) or Aegis, are tough to clean yourself, and you should never try to sand a synthetic ferrule, as this will make it worse. Synthetics are best cleaned professionally on a lathe. If you have an ivory ferrule, you can just rub the ferrule clean with a barely damp cloth. As with most aspects of cue maintenance, check the manufacturerÕs recommendations. Sometimes ferrules crack and need to be replaced, but this happens less often than tip replacement.

Cleaning the shaft can be accomplished with a variety of shaft cleaners or wipes, but again, check the manufacturerÕs instructions to avoid any warranty issues. Simply wiping it down with a cloth, towel, napkin or soft leather to remove any chalk will do the job. This will minimize build-up and a dull appearance. This simple method will work on most cues, but you can always call us if you have any questions. If you want a great, new, slick feel to the shaft, we will be happy to clean, seal and wax it for you. If there are deeper nicks and dents, you can bring it in for a recondition or do it yourself with some of the Cue Doctor products.

If your wrap is worn you can use the Cue Doctor dent buffer to smooth it out, but a new wrap can dramatically improve the look, especially if it is dirty or old. Our only concern would be if your cue is an antique or collectible; you may wish to consider the value before altering anything with the cue.

Forearm and butt maintenance is similar to that of the shaft; just wipe it down with a towel. Most Dime Custom Cues are handcrafted with exotic woods that make them fairly easy to maintain. You can always get it refinished and buffed if it has a lot of dings and dents. Also, there are professional ways to repair cues that are not wood, making any flaws virtually invisible.

As always, the goal is to minimize the stress you put on the shaft. Living in Florida, we know the difficulty of keeping a cue out of the heat and humidity, and limiting the cueÕs exposure to moisture and damp conditions. One suggestion is never leave your cue in the car!

Taking advantage of these suggestions for pool cue maintenance and care can be of great benefit to your performance and your wallet. And of course, if you need any help along the way, we are always here for advice, evaluation and service of your cue.

Keep on Playing!



Article by Krysta Brown Copyright 2009 Dime Custom Cues