Playing pool is a fun hobby, especially if you enjoy spending time with friends or watching other people play.
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Many householders or owners of business establishments who enjoy this sport as a hobby often regard their pool table as a point of pride. They often place it at the center of the room or in inconspicuous spaces of their game and recreation areas. Thus, keeping their pride in tip-top shape through consistent and careful maintenance is important.
Many good quality pool tables at competitive prices are available, ensuring the longevity of your pool tables for up to 20 years or even longer. However, nothing ever really lasts without proper and regular care. Whether your pool table is for personal or commercial use, there is little difference in the maintenance methods. Overall, you need to know the right tools and appropriate techniques to preserve your pool table and extend its lifespan.
Proper Tools for Basic Routine Maintenance
The most basic tools for every cleaning are a table brush and microfiber cloth. The table brush has to have soft bristles as it brushes off dust without causing any damage. On the other hand, a microfiber cloth is a perfect tool to wipe any residual chalk dust or smudges on the table surfaces.
The next maintenance that should be consistent is ensuring the playing surface has an even level. A piece of maintenance tool called bubble level can be used to monitor the table’s level. When necessary, you can adjust table legs or use shims to achieve balance on the surface level.
More than the table, the cue stick also needs some level of maintenance. A tip shaper is used to maintain the shape of the cue tip, ensuring it is not flattened or mushroomed. A tip scuffer, on the other hand, helps keep the roughness of the tip’s surface. This can help with chalk retention and ball control.
Proper Maintenance and Repair of Cloth
The condition of the cloth is crucial in ensuring the accuracy and speed of your shots. To properly care for the fabric on the pool table, you need tools like a cloth brush and spot cleaner. A cloth brush is used to gently sweep away dust or any other particles that may accumulate on the top surface of the cloth. Spot cleaners work magically on minor spills or stains. Make sure to buy the spot cleaner designed for pool tables, as it can effectively wash away blemishes without harming the fabric.
If accidents lead to tears or, worse, burns, a patch kit works best in repairing the damaged parts. A patch kit contains the cloth material that matches the original one and some adhesive to patch up the tears, holes, or burned parts.
Proper Maintenance of Cushion and Rail
Your cushion is another key part of your pool table that needs the utmost maintenance. While most cushions are designed to last 20-25 years, without proper care, they are doomed to wither away. One way to tell if your cushion needs replacing is if you start hearing a deep “thudding” noise, and it will not provide as much bounce as when it is pristine. It usually means your rail has worn out and needs some repairing or, in most cases, replacing.
One tool to help assess the condition of the cushions is the cushion facing gauge. It identifies any unevenness on the surface that may affect ball bounce. A cushion facer is also a helpful tool that can reshape the cushions to their original form.
On the occasion that the rail rubber does need replacing, you will need to find an appropriate rubber replacement that matches the profile of the rails. You will also need high-quality rubber when securing the new rail in place.
Advanced Tools for In-Depth Maintenance
There are other thorough maintenance that you can do to secure the life of your pool table. One is re-felting or replacing the entire cloth covering the entire table surface. It is best to leave this process to professionals, but if you are feeling experimental, all you need is a staple gun and a rail assembly jig. These tools are necessary to secure the new cloth in its correct alignment.
Another possible maintenance or repair that you can do is for your slate. With just epoxy and clamps, you can repair the cracks and other imperfections and hold the slate pieces together. With this method, the table’s overall integrity and playability will significantly be restored.
Other key maintenance requirements are for the pockets and the pool balls. Establishing and abiding by pool table etiquette also prevents it from being worn down, especially when your equipment is mainly played by other people. Read this guide as a reference to your own written pool table guidelines.
A well-maintained pool table ensures an enjoyable session with friends or other people and preserves the value of your investment in pride and joy. With the right tools and knowledge, you can take the maintenance of your pool table into your own hands. By taking charge, you are sure to have countless memories spent around your pool table for years to come.
