Pool table maintenance is a matter of prevention rather than cure – the more you can do to avoid damage to a pub pool table, the more opportunity you’ll have to generate revenues by keeping it in regular use.
We know wear and tear is inevitable and in a busy pub, accidents do happen, so we’re always available to provide pool table maintenance and repair services when they’re needed.
But as far as possible, it’s best if you can keep your pool table in good condition on an ongoing basis, as this will make it more appealing to punters.
Here are some simple pool table maintenance tasks you can do in a matter of minutes, to keep yours looking great and working well.
1. Brush the baize
A quick brush can restore the appearance of the cloth on your pool table, with a light vacuum to pick up any bigger particles or crumbs.
Brush lightly in one direction, from the baulk end of the table (where the cue ball is dispensed) to the foot (where the black ball goes) once a week or whenever the table needs it.
Ironing should not be necessary on a pub pool table – it’s not a championship snooker table! – and we would suggest you avoid ironing the cloth unless you’re an expert.
2. Pool table covers
A good way to avoid dirt and debris on your pool table is to cover it when it’s not in use. Cloth covers protect against stains and spills, while a solid cover can give extra protection against impacts too.
Remember though, a pool table is not designed to be used as an ordinary table – so if you put a solid cover over it, still prevent people from using it to hold their food and drinks.
3. Legs and other wood parts
Any part of the table that is made of natural wood can be given a light polish if you want it to really shine.
Don’t spray polish directly on the table, as it shouldn’t come into contact with any non-wood parts – just apply it using a cloth and you should soon have sparkling pool table legs again.
4. Cue care
Finally, don’t neglect your pool cues, rests, triangle and balls, as they’re among the most important parts of the game.
Keep your cue tips straight and well-maintained, and provide plenty of chalk. Try to keep your balls together in matching sets too, especially if you have more than one pool table, as they may play slightly differently from different sets of balls.
For occasional pool table maintenance, such as replacing the cloth, redrawing the lines and dots, levelling the table or repairing the coin slot, just give Manco a call on 0161 870 7777 and we’ll send our experts out to take a look.