How to Seal a Pool Cue Shaft

how to seal a pool cue shaft

Pool cue shafts are an important investment and need to be treated as such. Taking care of your pool cue shaft will help it last longer and can even make your game better. One thing you can do to take care of your pool cue shaft is by sealing it.

When you use a sealer on your pool cue shaft, you are left with a smooth finish that protects the cue shaft from moisture, dirt, and oils. You can seal your pool cue shaft with a wax or a liquid solution depending on your preference.

Sealing your pool cue shaft is an incredibly beneficial and easy process and won’t take you long at all. You will just need to clean the shaft first and have a shaft sealer that is right for the job. It will protect your shaft from scratches, dents, and dings that can be irritating. 

How to Seal a Pool Cue Shaft

Before you begin sealing your pool cue shaft, you will need to make sure it is completely clean. It will need a deep clean to remove all oil, dirt, and fingerprints from the surface and ensure the sealant sticks to the surface with ease.

Deep Clean the Pool Cue Shaft

To deep clean, you will need to have sterile alcohol wipes. Wrap one wipe around the pool cue shaft. Hold on to the wipe and start rotating the shaft. Rub the alcohol wipe up and down to evenly distribute the alcohol and lift off dirt. Repeat this process until the entire shaft has been wiped with the alcohol.

If you don’t want to use alcohol wipes, there are also liquid cleaners specifically designed to be used with a pool cue shaft. You would just need to apply a small amount of cleaner to a paper towel or lint free cloth. You want the cloth or paper towel to be damp, but not wet. You will use the same cleaning method as described with the alcohol wipe.

As you clean, you might notice that the cloth or wipe starts to have a greenish blue color to it. This is chalk dust that has clung to the surface after you chalk the cue. The more you clean, you will notice that less residue is coming off. When there isn’t any residue coming off at all, the shaft is clean, and you can move on to the next step.

Burnish the Shaft

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You will then need to lightly burnish the shaft. Doing this will help get rid of any knicks on the shaft as well as smooth the surface. After you have the surface ready to go, you can apply the sealant.

How to Burnish a Pool Cue Shaft

When you burnish your pool cue shaft, you are making sure it is clean and free of any debris while fixing any faults in the surface. If there are dings and dents in your pool cue shaft, burnishing will be able to smooth them out and make the surface look as good as new.

Burnishing your pool cue shaft is the technique that gives the surface a smooth and polished appearance. The friction that is created heats up the wood, making it expand, and close any pores. The process is extremely easy and doesn’t require any special equipment.

There are several products available to you for burnishing your pool cue shaft. You can use a Magic Eraser, Cue Shaft Slicker, or pads specifically designed for burnishing. Soft leather also gets the job done and you can cut some from an old belt or shoe. In a real pinch, you can even use a piece of paper.

You will need to wrap the burnishing device around the pool cue shaft. Rotate the cue stick while moving the burnishing tool quickly up and down the shaft. Repeat the process regularly to keep your pool stick clean and in good shape.

A simple pool cue Burnisher like this one will do just fine. It will remove all the dirt and oil that has accumulated on your shaft as well as help smooth it out.

Apply Shaft Wax to Your Pool Cue

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When you apply wax, you will want to apply it to the entire length of the shaft. Let it dry for around three minutes or until the wax turns white. This is what happens after the solvents in the wax evaporate and leaves just the pure wax. You will then buff off any excess wax with a clean and dry cloth until it’s slick. 

If you want to add a second coat of wax, you can, but it isn’t necessary. The wax will protect the wood grain from things like water, beer, oils from your hands, and scuffs. As long as the wax coating is even, you will be finished and have a clean, safe pool cue shaft.

To check the current price and availability of Silky Smooth Shaft Wax, click here to view the listing on Amazon.

How Do You Refinish a Pool Cue Shaft?

If your pool cue shaft is older and in need of a refreshment, you will want to refinish it. However, if you try to do it yourself and don’t do it properly, you risk damaging and ruining the pool cue shaft.

You will want to clean the surface with a clean towel to get rid of any chalk, oils, dust, or dirt that might be on the surface. You do not need to take apart the stick to refinish it, so this will save you time.

Next, you are going to burnish the shaft with a leather cloth that hasn’t been dyed. Evenly rub the cloth across the pool cue shaft, making sure that each part gets the same amount of pressure as every other part. The cloth will create some friction on the surface, making it a little more resistant to dirt.

Check to make sure there aren’t any scratches or dents left after burnishing. If there are, add a drop or two of water to the area and burnish again. The water and the friction will work together to even out any damages. 

When the surface is smooth and ready to go, you can apply a finish to the pool cue shaft. You can then apply a sealant wax after the finish has dried. Your pool stick will be looking good as new and ready to use in about one day.

Final Thoughts

Sealing your pool cue shaft has many advantages. It smooths the surface, protects the surface, and makes it easier for you to use. The process is simple and quick, only needing a few minutes of your time. Since your pool stick is an investment, you need to treat it like one by taking care of it.

There may be a time where your pool stick needs an upgrade, but you don’t want to give it up. You can refinish the pool cue shaft by yourself if you do it properly. This will give your current pool stick a makeover, allowing you to keep your favorite stick and not have to buy a new one. After you refinish, you will want to seal it to protect the new finish from any potential damage.

To seal your pool cue shaft, you will first need to make sure it is clean. Then, you will want to burnish and sand the surface to get rid of any potential scratches or dents that might be bothersome. You will then apply the sealer to the surface, wait a few minutes, buff it, and you will be good to go.

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