Why are Pool Cues Lacquered?

8/19/2009 8:28:42 AM

Why are Pool Cues Lacquered?

At home I have a very smooth, sanded finish cue. However at most bars and most friends houses, the cues are lacquered, making it very hard to slide in my hand. I use the grip that looks like you are holding a pen - not sure what it is called.

It seems like with any pool cue grip, you'd benefit from a smooth finish rather than this lacquer that is so common.

Is that not correct?

What purpose does the lacquer on a pool cue it serve?

daviddoria

Why are Pool Cues Lacquered?

Replies & Comments

quickshot on 8/19/2009 10:50:31 AM
Good question. At most bars you will find the cheapest cues money can buy because of the abuse they take. As for home tables, many people do not know how to take care of a cue, so whent the original laqcuer wears off they just relacquer them so they will look shiney. They do noy realize they are ruining the cue. Forget the bars, but maybe ypu can enlighten your friends on the proper care. Whether or not they will listen is something else again. Look at it this way: you take care of your sticks and that's all matters.

daviddoria on 8/19/2009 2:23:36 PM
@Quickshot - thanks for the quick reply! OK, we'll forget the bars - those cues are just bought to stand the abuse as long as possible.

So why is there originally lacquer on the cues if it is better for it not to be there? Should it be sanded off? Or purchased without lacquer?

Thanks, Dave

quickshot on 8/19/2009 3:20:32 PM
It is a special look good lacquer that appeals to the buyer's eye. Once it wears off the cue depends on your loving care. The lacquer also protects the cue from damage during handleing. Do not relacquer a cue. For me the best thing that can be put on a cue after it is cleaned and sanded is Carbarnuba wax the same as you use on a car. Other people have other approaches. I put two coats when I clean the shaft. It comes out as friction free as you could want.

Mitch Alsup on 8/20/2009 9:56:02 AM
I suspect {with humor implied} that the first cues to get lacquered were lacquered because the cue-smith liked the smell of lacquer. {I know I do}

However {in all honesty} the modern lacquers are catalized and do not take a new coat like the old lacquers. No rebonding between layers occurs. If you ar egooing to take it off, take it dow to the wood and build up a new coating in its entirety.

quickshot on 8/20/2009 11:49:03 AM
Hmmmmm interesting. So that's how the sniffer generation got started.

Stay with the wax Dave. Some people will use a very good furniture wax and polish also.

Bev Stayart on 8/22/2009 10:59:55 AM
Thanks for the advice about how to re-lacquer a cue by first taking it down to the unfinished wood before re-lacquering it.

quickshot on 8/22/2009 7:48:42 PM
I would not relacquer it. It will wear off again. And unless you are an expert forget it. The shine on the cue is for show. I will explain how I keep my stick slick and I'm sure you will get others also.

What you will need: Mr Clean magic eraser. Available in any super market. Alcohol. Sand paper...minimum 1200 grit Wax...carbarnuba (auto wax)

First tape the ferrule a the tip.

Use the Magic eraser as instructed. Very slight damp. No heavy pressure. Put some alchol on a rag and give the shaft a quick wipe just to remove any residual dirt. Sand it lighlly until very smooth to the touch and then wipe it down with a soft rag. Then wax it according to instructions on the can. Let wax dry and polish it.

This is my way. Other people have other ways.

Why are Pool Cues Lacquered?

Title: Why are Pool Cues Lacquered?
Author: daviddoria (David Doria)
Published: 8/19/2009 8:28:42 AM