Cleaning balls

[Staezione]

Has onyone an idea how they cleaning the balls on the tour? They're always like brand new on the tele.
If i play let's say 10 frames with my aramith crystalate (brand new balls), after these frames the balls tend to bounce of the cushions. When i clean them with polish the balls don't bounce anymore, at least, for 10 frames, whereafter it all starts over again..
Also we wash our hands before we start playing.
Personally i don't like to clean the balls that often because it takes me a lot of work and time.

On youtube there are some clips with custom ball cleaning machines but never with instructions to make it.
And spending 500,00 £ on a ballstar is waaay to much imo

Greetings from Belgium

[RunningSide]

No idea what they do on the tour, but here is what I did. I was annoyed of ballstar etc. pricing like you.

IMG_1370.jpgdetails.JPGplan.JPG

This is a rough prototype, I started testing with. However, it is working so well that I don't mind anymore about it's awful outfit, so I'm not planning to make another one. There is a variable speed polishing machine (diam. 180mm, approx 25-50€) inside the box. I needed to leave the handle outside that I can reach the speed control wheel. There is 6 speed, but only slowest and second slowest speeds are usable (the second slowest is already absolutely horrifying speed). Only true negative with this polisher is that it is noisy.

I add few drops of aramith ball cleaner to each ball, spread/rub it fast over the balls with cloth, put the balls in slots, and let the machine work for 3-4 minutes (as long as the balls are not only clean and polished, but also they must be totally dry). Then I change the balls, three rounds needed total (I leave the cue ball to go all three rounds). I get very shiny and clean balls quite easily.

Basically, it is only a simple box, where the polisher is attached on the bottom, the "spinning slot wheel" is attached to polishing plate. I wanted a machine where in balls are not making contact while operation.

cheers!!

[DandyA]

Has onyone an idea how they cleaning the balls on the tour? They're always like brand new on the tele.

I once heard commentators discussing this (sorry, can't remember which ones) and they were saying a new set of balls was used for each table for each round ... so R32, R16, QF, SF, F all use new balls ...

I can't vouch for this being true but it's what they said and might explain why they are so reactive ...

[DeanH]

Staezione, I am sure they get new sets for each tournament, not heard about new sets for each round, like they often recloth for each round at the major events.
The tournament balls are Aramith TC which are phenolic (not crystalate) which may perform differently as you describe.
Also, when you say you "polish" your balls, what do you use? Please don't say "furniture polish", I went to a club once and the old man there was very proud that he had recently polished all the balls with Mr Sheen and we had the worst game ever, as the balls slid all over them place
Bouncing off cushions can be indicative something else.
cheers

[Neil Taperell]

I Believe you are right DandyA , the players used to buy a set of balls after each Tournament. Used to be very cheap as well .

[Byrom]

No idea what they do on the tour, but here is what I did. I was annoyed of ballstar etc. pricing like you.

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This is a rough prototype, I started testing with. However, it is working so well that I don't mind anymore about it's awful outfit, so I'm not planning to make another one. There is a variable speed polishing machine (diam. 180mm, approx 25-50€) inside the box. I needed to leave the handle outside that I can reach the speed control wheel. There is 6 speed, but only slowest and second slowest speeds are usable (the second slowest is already absolutely horrifying speed). Only true negative with this polisher is that it is noisy.

I add few drops of aramith ball cleaner to each ball, spread/rub it fast over the balls with cloth, put the balls in slots, and let the machine work for 3-4 minutes (as long as the balls are not only clean and polished, but also they must be totally dry). Then I change the balls, three rounds needed total (I leave the cue ball to go all three rounds). I get very shiny and clean balls quite easily.

Basically, it is only a simple box, where the polisher is attached on the bottom, the "spinning slot wheel" is attached to polishing plate. I wanted a machine where in balls are not making contact while operation.

cheers!!

Wow a inventor - I am impressed

[mythman69]

Wow a inventor - I am impressed

Me too. Now if he could only invent a cue that never missed. I would buy one.

[The Stig]

I know it takes for ever and its tedeous but i clean mine with the aramith ball cleaner, they look great after a good clean. The table we use the pocket leathers seem to leave white spot marks on the balls so they need a regular clean, i give them a light clean once a week and a good clean about once every 3 weeks.

[Chappy5]

I just use some nice warm very mild soapy water and clean them with that and a Chux cloth! Quick dry with a microfiber towel and all done!

Some stubborn chalk stains on the Whote ball take a bit of elbow grease to get off but all in all i find it a cheap method that works!

[grimreaper]

I use warm water and metho .

[laverda]

I too use Aramith Ball Cleaner but I do it wearing a pair of boxing glove inners. The thumb on my right hand is used to apply the cleaner and work any stubborn marks and then I just polish by rolling the balls between my gloved hands (without the right thumb of course). Once done, the balls are perfect and the gloves go in the laundry for a wash and dry and then they're ready to use next time...

I'm not sure if it is quicker but the gloves certainly make it easier on the hands cause I'm not working the cloth against the balls, the balls get worked against the cloth, if that makes sense lol

[j6uk]

warm water and fairy liquid

[Suke]

can we put them in a dish washer?

[Staezione]

can we put them in a dish washer?

I've tried this but they do need polish afterwards which again takes alot of time

[Smeeagain]

Me too. Now if he could only invent a cue that never missed. I would buy one.

Don't know about a cue that never misses but you can get one with a loser sight ...... Www.cuesight.com - sorry if it's been posted before ......