Always keep your cue in a good quality case (ideally a rigid box type), when not in use do not leave the cue leaning in a corner. Do not store cue and case near to a heat source (near a radiator or direct sunlight).
Do not leave cue in a car boot as it is hot during the day and cold and damp at night, rapid temperature and humidity changes are bad for the cue.
During play, if the cue becomes sticky, wipe it down with a slightly damp cloth and buff dry immediately. Never sandpaper the cue, this removes the protective sealer on the shaft leaving bare wood and also gradually wears away the cue shaft.
Occasionally, (3-6 months depending on the amount you play) treat the cue with raw linsead oil. Wipe cue down with a damp cloth and dry. (If cue is very dirty, mild detergent can be used) do not use to much water or this can cause the cue to swell. Apply oil onto cue with a cloth or paper towel, leave overnight to soak in, buff cue with a clean cloth until smooth and dry and no residue is visible on clean cloth. Then wipe with damp cloth and dry and buff.
If cue is jointed, occasionally clean brass faces of joint with very fine wire wool (00-00 grade). Dirt or grease on the faces of joint can effect the contact when striking cue ball.
Retipping your own cue
1. Cut off old tip.
2. Clean off old glue and remains of old tip. ( scrape with craft knife blade )
3.Make sure top of cue and ferrule is perfectly level. (this can be done with cue top sander for best results.)
4.level back of tip with abrasive paper, on a level surface holding tip between thumb and forefinger.
5.Apply glue to top of cue. ( Ideally 2-part epoxy resin glue, such as Araldite or gel superglue if in a hurry )
6.Gentley place tip on glue and center up. Press down firmley. Wipe off excess glue then gently release pressure. Leave overnight for glue to cure.
7.Turn cue upside down on cutting board and trim off excess tip to size of ferrule.
8.With a flat file shape a rough dome on tip, filing from centre of tip to outside edge.
9.With fine abrasive paper smooth sidewall of tip into ferrule, making sure not to touch the wood of the shaft bellow the ferrule.
10.Finnish off dome with a tip shaper.
Copyright Parris Cues, London 1999
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Parris Cues, London 1999