How To Make An Air Hockey Table Slide Better? December 2022 (2024)

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Have you ever been playing air hockey and had a problem getting the puck to slide? Maybe it seems like every air hockey table you play on the puck just seems to stop and not move? Well, in this article we will go over everything you need to know about ar hockey tables and how to make them slide better.

So how do you make an air hockey table slide better?

In order to make the table slide better, you will need to use a good cleaner on the surface of the table as well as make sure all of the fans are working properly and make sure all of the holes are cleaned so the air can reach the top of the table. Doing these things will make your air hockey table slide better.

If you want to know more about fixing your air hockey table you will want to keep reading. You can also watch this short video to learn how to fix your table and maintain it properly.

If you have an air hockey table (or are planning on getting one) then you have to get this accessory set as well. It comes with extra pucks, paddles, and everything that you need to take your play to the next level. You can find it by clicking here.

Is air hockey popular?

Air hockey is one of the most popular and active table games that you can enjoy with your friends and family members. As you can guess, the idea behind air hockey was derived from the sports game, hockey. In fact, the three young inventors of air hockey were huge fans of the sport. It was later passed to the engineer, Bob Lemineux, who redesigned and perfected the mechanics of the hockey table, giving rise to the beloved table game that we love today.

Now, if you are not sure what air hockey is, it is a game where two players compete against each other on a low-friction table. Its components consist of the puck, two strikers that are held by the players, and the low friction air hockey table. The science behind the air hockey game is that the smooth and slippery surface of the air hockey table can reduce friction, by suspending the puck on a small cushion of air. This will help to make the gliding and sliding of the puck in a straight line much easier and smoother.

Based on this, you can easily see that the ability of the air hockey table to slide well will lead to the peak performance of the game. Unfortunately, at times the sliding function of the air hockey table can not work properly. Below we will go into depth on how to fix the issue.

How To Make An Air Hockey Table Slide Better

Playing an air hockey game is fast-paced and exciting. Making sure that the components of the air hockey table are in tip-top shape will lead to a better and more fun game. Over time, the air hockey table will become less slippery. To preserve the function of the air hockey table, we have to make sure that we regularly maintain the equipment. Luckily, there are many steps that you can use to make your hockey table slide better.

• Use lubricant sparingly.

Silicon-based lubricants are generally used to polish and make the air hockey table slippery. If you desire a fast-paced and hectic game, then using excessive amounts of the silicon-based lubricants will give you that. However, it may lead to you not able to predict the movement of the puck as it will become more erratic.

To apply the silicone-based lubricant, spray it on a microfibre towel or soft-cotton cloth and buff the table with the cloth. However, please note that the effects of the silicon-based lubricant last a while. Therefore, there is no need to redo the process frequently. You can reapply the lubricant after a few months after the effects of the first application have faded.

• Clean the fans.

Located underneath the air hockey table are some small fans. These deliver the air to the small holes that you can find on the top of the table, resulting in the smooth gliding of the puck over the table. If these fans become clogged with dirt and debris, the fans will slow and its motor will drag, resulting in the puck will not be able to glide and slide properly over the table.

To clean the fan, consult the manual that came with the air hockey table, it will advise you on how to approach this problem. Then carefully pull apart the table to locate the fans. Spray the fans with pressurized or compressed air to dislodge the dirt and debris.

• Be sure to clean it routinely and on a schedule.

Creating an appropriate cleaning schedule and sticking to it can also improve the performance of your table. Of course, you should not opt to clean it too often or not enough, since both extremes can lead to damage to your table. What is recommended is that you clean it once a month. Or you can clean before or after a game but never both.

• Clean and wax the pucks, mallets, and the surface of the table

With the growth of dirt and debris on the surfaces, friction between the surfaces can increase, resulting in poor gliding and sliding. This is why it is recommended that you should clean all surfaces, including the pucks and the mallet. Simply, turn on the fan and clean the top surfaces. Then take a damp cloth and mild detergent and wipe the surfaces of your other equipment.

• Clean the holes in the table

Small holes found on the top of the table are tasked with providing a small pocket of air that will suspend the puck during use. This will help to make the puck glide and slide over the table better. When the air hockey table is in poor maintenance, these holes can become clogged or blocked with dirt and debris, leading to reduced lift of the puck and less sliding. Moreover, when you are using the table, the movement of the puck can feel a little rough, bumpy and sluggish.

Fortunately, there are ways for you to unclog these holes, but they may be a little tricky and difficult. This is because, if you are too aggressive with cleaning the holes, you can run the risk of damaging the equipment.

We recommend that you use a vacuum cleaner with a flat hose and set it at its lower settings. Then gently glide it over the table while also covering each hole for adequate time to make sure that you remove every last bit of the dirt and debris.

It is advised that you avoid the use of powder cleaners that will require that you mix it with water to create a solution. If the solution is not adequately mixed, large clumps can appear, which can further clog the holes. Furthermore, it would help if you also avoided using cloth rags because the lint and fibers that come off the rag can also clog the holes.

If the vacuum cleaner was not sufficient to remove the dirt from the holes, then you may want to use a toothpick to remove the excess dirt. It is important to clean the holes of the air hockey table regularly because dirt buildup can significantly reduce the tables’ durability.

• When not in use, cover your air hockey table.

As the saying goes, prevention is better than care. It would help if you aimed to prevent dust and dirt settling in on the surfaces of your air hockey table. Keeping it uncovered and open will only invite dust and more cleaning of the equipment. What you should do is purchase a tablecloth and use it to cover your air hockey table when it is not in use. Ensure that it is an appropriate length, as you want your table to be covered entirely. This is the best place to get a good air hockey table cover.

• Use the appropriate cleaner.

Many people opt to use powerful cleaners such as bleach, but this will only erode and destroy the surfaces. While it may be cheaper to create your cleaning agent, it is safer to use the certified air hockey cleaners.

Conclusion

Ensuring that your equipment is in its best shape will allow you to enjoy your air hockey table longer. The ability of the puck to slide over the air hockey table is essential for the appreciation of the game. Now that you know how to fix these problems, you can play your air hockey table without any more issues.