Table Care Guide
Maintenance
Proper care keeps your table playing true and looking sharp for decades. These guidelines apply to all C.L. Bailey products.
Playing Surface
Brush the cloth after every session using a soft-bristle pool table brush, always moving in one direction. Vacuum gently on a low setting once a month. Never use water, solvents, or household cleaners on the felt. If a spill occurs, blot immediately with a dry cloth. Consider re-felting every 3 to 5 years depending on usage.
Wood & Finish
Wipe the rails, legs, and frame with a soft, dry microfiber cloth weekly. For deeper cleaning, use a wood-safe furniture polish sparingly. Avoid placing drinks directly on the rails. Use coasters. Keep the table out of direct sunlight to prevent fading and warping. Maintain consistent room humidity (40 to 60%) to prevent wood expansion or contraction.
Slate & Leveling
Check your table's level every 6 months using a machinist's level. Minor adjustments can be made at the leg levelers. If the slate shifts significantly, contact your authorized dealer for professional re-leveling. Never attempt to move a fully assembled table. Always have it professionally disassembled and reassembled.
Pockets & Hardware
Inspect pocket liners and bolts quarterly. Tighten any loose hardware gently. If pocket nets show wear or fraying, replacements are available through your dealer. Keep ball return tracks clean and free of debris.
Shuffleboard Care
Apply shuffleboard wax (silicone spray or powder) before each playing session. Clean the playfield with a soft cloth and shuffleboard cleaner monthly. Never use water or abrasive cleaners on the playfield. Check the climatic adjusters seasonally to ensure the board maintains proper concavity. Store pucks flat and clean to prevent surface scoring.
Frequently Asked
Common questions
Brush the cloth lightly with a soft pool table brush, working along the length of the table from one short end to the other. On napped cloth, brush in the direction of the nap. A low-suction upholstery vacuum attachment can be used carefully on either cloth if dust accumulates. Avoid powerful vacuums, beater bars, and any wet cleaning. Detailed care guidance lives at /care-guide.
Most residential pool table cloth lasts five to ten years before showing wear that affects play. Worsted cloth (Velocity Pro) often runs on the longer end. Napped cloth (Mali) replaced on a regular cleaning schedule runs in the middle. Heavy daily use, sun exposure near a window, or liquid spills compress the cycle. Replacement is a half-day visit with your dealer.
A C.L. Bailey table lives best in residential interior conditions: roughly 35 to 55 percent humidity and 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with small daily and seasonal swings. Solid hardwood expands and contracts with humidity, and large swings stress the cabinet over time. A dehumidifier in damp basements and a properly conditioned room are the two most useful preventive measures.
Blot the spill immediately with a clean white cloth, working from the outside of the spill toward the center to keep it from spreading. Do not rub. Both Mali (Teflon-coated) and Velocity Pro resist initial absorption, which gives a few seconds before the liquid works in. If a stain remains after blotting, contact your dealer about cloth assessment or replacement.
Dust the cabinet regularly with a soft dry cloth. For deeper cleaning, use a slightly damp cloth followed by a dry wipe. Avoid silicone-based polishes, which build up on hand-rubbed finishes and dull the surface over time. A good quality lemon oil or beeswax polish, used sparingly twice a year, keeps the wood conditioned without altering the finish.
Call your authorized dealer when long rolls come up short, cushion rebound feels weaker, the cloth shows visible thinning or stains, or the table has shifted out of level after a move or floor work. The dealer scopes the visit (recloth, releveling, cushion replacement) and schedules the work. Routine cleaning between service visits is fine to handle yourself.
Clean the playfield with a soft, dry cloth after each session. Apply shuffleboard wax (silicone-based spray) before play to reduce friction and protect the polymer coating. Wipe down the cabinet with a damp cloth as needed. Check the climatic adjusters twice a year. The polymer-coated playfield does not require refinishing under normal residential use. Avoid placing the shuffleboard in direct sunlight or next to heating vents.