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Just bought a maximus ultimate from craftsman and i am really happy with it. Having owned a couple of cues from JP including up to recently a 1 piece special cue this new one is, in my humble opinion, superior. Better looking ash and feel.........BUT, for some reason, passing my understanding, the people at maximus thought it would be a good idea to cover the bottom 3rd of the cue in some kind of thick lacquer or varnish. Not that it bothers me too much but i just think that it would have felt and looked so much better with a simple oil finish like other top end cues. Anyway, im not complaining really but just wondering if i can remove the lacquer without risking any damage to the cue. Be advised i am clumsy as i am stupid. Thanks.
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Yes you can remove it best to use about 240 grit thinly and evenly until it feels right being very careful around the badge else you'll scratch it, then oil and/or wax ( i would oil the whole cue personally ) but if you're not confident it would be better to let a cue maker do it as it wouldn't cost that much i'm sure craftsman would have done it for you no problem when you bought the cue, not sure if you collected it or had it posted in which case you wouldn't have known about the finish.
Be careful though as sometimes the lacquer can be hiding imperfections such as lighter spots in the ebony, so if it doesn't bother you I wouldn't worry, i don't mind it i think it stems from using old cues that were all lacquered butts generally, i think it helps with gripping the cue, as the butt can be too smooth sometimes with an oil finish, the shaft being a nice smooth oil finish is the main thing.Last edited by CueAntW147; 23 December 2016, 04:45 PM. -
Wow what a poor finish if laquered!Comment
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The best finish I have experienced recently was on an Andy Gibbs cue purchased through adr and an old John Parris cue that I took to JP and had the ferrule replaced and they refinished the cue as part of the procedure in replacing the ferrule.
Both finishes in my opinion were great, you could feel the wood (it wasn't saturated in oils). and the cue glided through my bridge hand.Comment
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0000 Wire wool usually gets lacquer off in a few seconds.Comment
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Thanks very much. Seen a video on the Mike Wooldridge website so might give it a go. I did actually collect the cue from craftsman but it wasnt til i cleaned it with a cloth i noticed the lacquer. The actual shaft feels very nice.Comment
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Nope, I've had cues that had a lacquer on them and it seems to get it off pretty easily. Suppose it depends on how thick the layer of lacquer is applied.Originally Posted by jonny66 View PostComment
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Every reason to not use wire wool on an oil finished cue, for any reason! If it can remove lacquer and polish a brass ferrule, just imagine how much wood you are ruining when you give your cue a 'rub down'. No sand paper, wire wool of any other abrasive on an oiled finished cue.Originally Posted by narl View PostComment
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Not a poor finish at all, its done by the request of Craftsman. All their imported cues like Phoenix and Maximus and when they had Niche cues in all were lacquer finished. Some people like it, to be honest it does actually give a good grip and its only the butt section and actually protects the exotic wood and enhances the look and colour of the wood.Originally Posted by sealer View Post
Green Baize who are also a distributor of maximus cues request an oil finish on all their cues. So as I said its not a poor finish, its just a choice for the buyer.Comment
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well i think it cheapens the look ever so slightly.Comment
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Oil for me every time.Comment
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Part of the reason for lacquer is to protect the cue after it's finished and while it travels as that part of the world is humid and ships are cold and clammy. I would personally go for an oil finish; it's interesting that different importers request two different finishes. CC requesting lacquer finishes is odd; they used to stock all their cues from Thailand in oil finish. I know because I bought some. Have customers really walked in and said 'can you please put some ronseal on this please?'Originally Posted by cueman View PostLast edited by Big Splash!; 24 December 2016, 11:41 AM.Comment
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A real good highly polished oil finish can harden and look like lacquer at times.Comment
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I got mine from Green Baize, it's a lovely cueIt's hard to pot balls with a Chimpanzee tea party going on in your head
WibbleComment
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