Need help finishing an old billiard cue

Hi All,

This is my first post, and my knowledge in woodworks is little, so please be understanding.
I have been trying to restore an old billiard cue, the shaft is ASH and the BUTT is elbony. I have sanded it down with various grades of sand paper starting from 240 and going all the way to 1200. My question to you all is that i want to give the butt section of the cue a nice gloss finish, but i cant decide what to use. I have tried using bees wax but the finish looked quite dull. Finally i am thinking of using either shellac or poly, what would you guys recommend ?? and what would be the best way to apply either shellac or poly onto the butt of the cue ie. spray can or brush.

Thank you.

noel..

First thing I'll say is this is a 'gut' feeling. Having never made or repaired a Cue, only used them a lot when living in a Sergants Mess.

Cue's being what they are I'd go with a couple of coats of WiP for the handle, it gets lots of handling so anything lighter will wear fairly quickly.

However I always used to sand off any finish, on the top section, back to bare wood, as I found it slid easier over my bridge hand if things got a little sticky (warm). So I'd leave that unfinished.

Over to the experts.

Thanks for thw reply, but what is "WiP" ?? so sorry i dont know some of the wood working terminology.

Sorry that should have been WoP - Wipe on Polyurethane. A synthetic varnish available from the DIY sheds and other hardware outlets.

I suggested WoP, as Oils or Shellacs may become sticky in use, something you don't want over a snooker table.

But forum members who have made cue's may disagree and have a better suggestion for you.

Is there any difference between wipe on poly and the one you brush on ?? I think from memmory the brush on poly tend to be thicker when applied onto wood and also fills in pores a little better.

Assuming the same manufacturer, the thickness of the product will be down to the amount of thinners/solvent used. Between different manufacturers the same would apply but their may be a small change in the proportions of the ingredients.

So it comes down to your ability to apply the stuff, can you lay on one or two thicker coat smoothly or would two or three thinner coats, cut down between each coat, give a better finish.