Sticky new cue

[addicted]

I've just bought my first decent cue after years of playing with the cheaper end of the market, it appears to be varnished which makes the action sticky , my first thought would be to sand the varnish off , would this be ok? and what would i use to keep the wood in good condition? The wood is ash
thanks in advance

[abhi147]

Even I have the same problem
You can sand the varnish off it will spoil the cue

You can use some polish remover kind of a thing
But the best is to play with for a month or 2 and the polish will start to wear off on its own

[cantpotforshíte]

What make and model of cue is it? if it is a decent cue, then it shouldn't have a varnished finish.
I bought a Peradon hand spliced cue second hand for my girlfriend about a year ago. I think it had been made about 1990 and had hardly been used, and came with that horrible gloss varnish which made it unplayable. I wasn't sure if it was meant to be that way (if it was the fashion at the time) or if it was just a protective varnish, but it had to go, so I sanded it off carefully, starting with 320 grit sandpaper and slowly working through finer grades (400, 500) then on to wet and dry paper, (600, 800 and finishing with 1000 grit wet and dry.
She's used it for a year since and it hasn't needed oiling yet. SHe just wipes it once in a while with a clean slightly damp cloth.
The finish is silky smooth and it feels great to play with.
The biggest danger with sanding a cue is that the sandpaper will remove the summer grain from the ash, which is softer, and leave the harder winter grain behind (or is it the other way round?), leaving grooves and bumps which feel nasty.
The way to get over this is to put the sandpaper against a flat piece of wood so it works more like a file and doesn't mould to the grain.
You may as well have a go at it, as a glossy varnished cue is useless.

[addicted]

its a Barracuda gold medal, nothing fancy but it is a nice piece of wood and nicely balanced, I don't know if it is a varnish finish it looks it so i'm assuming it is

[burwatchampion]

Send it to a cue maker like Mike or Bitter they would finish it well for you

[Mr O]

I would just buy some 600 grade wet-n-dry paper and use that. Keep it in your case to use again if you get the same problem.

[burwatchampion]

I would just buy some 600 grade wet-n-dry paper and use that. Keep it in your case to use again if you get the same problem.

Yes just keep on sanding your cue down when i feels sticky

[Watford]

Even I have the same problem
You can sand the varnish off it will spoil the cue

You can use some polish remover kind of a thing
But the best is to play with for a month or 2 and the polish will start to wear off on its own

What
Varnish remover
It will wear on its ownyeah right!!!
I had a Peradon lacquered on butt varnish wore where I held it after a few years. Good luck waiting.

Remember to seal afterwards if you sand - linseed probably.
Not sure worth sending to a maker to do.

[BITTER]

Barracuda gold medal ?

Knowing where it's made I would not want to re finsh it.

[Clarkey3262]

I've just bought my first decent cue after years of playing with the cheaper end of the market, it appears to be varnished which makes the action sticky , my first thought would be to sand the varnish off , would this be ok? and what would i use to keep the wood in good condition? The wood is ash
thanks in advance

0000 grade wire wool

finish with either oil (eg linseed) or wax (bees wax, craftsman cues do a very good wax as well)

DO NOT USE sand paper or anything designed to remove wood.

Hope this helps

Chris

[addicted]

quick update : after a chat with Martin Chesworth i decided not to use any abrasive on the cue , Martin recommended a pad to just take the top surface off the finish then to use a wax , so i'm going to take a visit to his shop and have a chat , in the mean time i used a damp cloth to rub down the offending area then a soft clean cloth to clean the cue, result no more sticking at the mo

[Mr O]

Yes just keep on sanding your cue down when i feels sticky

on a cheapo cue yes. depends what has been used, but if you need to remove the offending finish you'll need at least 600 grade if not slightly coarser. Then obviously you can work with finer stuff, in between oiling or whatever. I've got 30,000 micron paper, but wouldn't waste that on a cheap cue
But there's not a lot wrong with carrying some 600 grade in your case and just give your cheap cue a light rub down now and again. Far better than being unable to cue properly cause some sticky crap makes the cue about as much use as a one legged man in an arse kicking contest

[unclevit]

I've just bought my first decent cue after years of playing with the cheaper end of the market, it appears to be varnished which makes the action sticky , my first thought would be to sand the varnish off , would this be ok? and what would i use to keep the wood in good condition? The wood is ash
thanks in advance

I saw people using extra fine sandpaper, but sanding process should be very slowly, and lightly (don't hold the shaft in your hand while sanding, put it on the table, sand and spin around). Take time. After the varnish is gone, apply little cue oil, leave it for a night or two, then wipe the shaft with soap/warm water. Towel dry.

[Watford]

then wipe the shaft with soap/warm water. Towel dry.

Oh don't start me off Unc!
Too late!

Yep take it in the bath with you give it a good bubbly soak.
Then dry out on radiator.
You'll even be able to pot round corners

Sorry I know I've come out with this type of thing many times before.
I don't tire of it though.

I once saw some one say 'boil a kettle and pour it on your cue' It seemed serious but maybe he didn't like the poster

[unclevit]

Oh don't start me off Unc!
Too late!

Yep take it in the bath with you give it a good bubbly soak.
Then dry out on radiator.
You'll even be able to pot round corners

Sorry I know I've come out with this type of thing many times before.
I don't tire of it though.

I once saw some one say 'boil a kettle and pour it on your cue' It seemed serious but maybe he didn't like the poster

Perhaps add some minerals into the water too