Hello and advice on sanding a cue

[carlossparky]

Hello boys and girls i am a newbie so please be gentle with me.I have just treated myself to new cue and would like to make it an oil finished cue.I would appreciate any advice on whats the best type/grade of sandpaper to remove the varnish.Also any tips on best way to do it.
Thanks in advance Carl.

[culraven]

Not as easy as it sounds, all depends on quality of the grain and how it has been prepared before it was varnished!
Getting the varnish off is the easy part, but then you'll probably have to refill the grain and refinish working up through 400 -1200 grit and finishing with 0000 wire wool.

[ste bed]

1st of all what make of cue is it ? is it all solid wood ie the splices or is it painted on then varnished over because if it is you will
Take the lot of when you sand. If it is all solid then start with a 1000 grit don't take to much off its very easy then go up to 1500 grit.
Then I go to wirewool 0000 grade making sure you don't take to much off its easy even with fine papers and wire wool. Then go up again
To 2000 grit then again to 2500 then I use dave coutts cue oil its abou 10£ for a small bottle but out of all the oils I have used this imo
Is the best soaks in very quick and doesn't take ages to dry do 2 coats maybe 3 allowing to dry inbetween and buffing each time with
A dry cloth. I then go back to the 2500 its so fine it doesn't look like its doing anything but it gets it super smooth.

Also when sanding try to sand the cue in very long strokes try to cover as much of the cue as possible instead of just sandjng little bits
At a time if that makes sense. Other members will have there own way but this is how I do it plus take you time

[les147]

I have finishing paper that goes down to 12000 grade! It will polish anything! Even Perspex without scratches.

[carlossparky]

Thanks for your reply the cue is a machine spliced Craftsman cue.I have already ordered Coutts oil and 0000 wire wool.Could i do the job with just the wire wool.
Best regards Carl.

[stejohn]

craftsman cues are usually wax finished? If the cue is sticky wipe it over with a damp cloth then quickly buff with a dry cloth.
Edit: If its new it should not require any re finishing!

[jim evans]

try rubbing it down with turps or thinners first will fetch most stuff off,use the wire wool and the turps or thinners,see how it feels if its took most of the wax or varnish off you can then see about sanding with 1000 wet and dry then go bigger 1200,1500,2000

[ste bed]

Not as easy as it sounds, all depends on quality of the grain and how it has been prepared before it was varnished!
Getting the varnish off is the easy part, but then you'll probably have to refill the grain and refinish working up through 400 -1200 grit and finishing with 0000 wire wool.

400 grit jesus I could sand halfway through the cue in 10 minutes with that.

[culraven]

I use 400 wet and dry to take the varnish off, all depends on the cue though.

[ste bed]

I use 400 wet and dry to take the varnish off, all depends on the cue though.

I have often found thst over the years if a cue is that heavily varnished best leave it there as its either hiding somthing or covering
Something

[jrc750]

If a cue is that heavily varnished you shouldn't of bought it in the first place !!

[culraven]

If a cue is that heavily varnished you shouldn't of bought it in the first place !!

It's not my fault people keep lieing on ebay! Lol I've stripped down a few chinese cues for people now, and have to admit when i first started I took it really slow with super fine paper, but after you've done a couple you know you can knock a good few lairs of varnish off before you get anywhere near wood.