Originally installed in 2017 at Donnie Taco in Perth, WA, it had been some time between cleaning for this black and yellow ICON. And while the powder coated surface treatment is still in great condition - dirt, grime and scuff marks from racquets have managed to build up on the playing surface over the years. (All very normal things to be expected from a well-loved table!)

Now, watch on as we transformed this table with a simple Clean and Polish - in about 30 minutes...

Step 1: Gather The Essentials.

First up, stock your arsenal with the right tools for the job! Sprucing up a POPP table doesn't require any specialist equipment, and you'll be able to find most of the following at any good auto or hardware store

• 1x soft, microfibre cloth or sponge.
• 1x soft cloth or rag (to apply wax).
• 1x clean cloth or tea towel (to use as a polishing / buffing cloth).
• Some mild liquid dish or car washing detergent.
• Any high-grade, non-abrasive car wax (use a brand that contains a UV blocker or UV inhibitors). This time we used Meguiar's Polishing Compound.

Optional and safety extras:

• Protective rubber gloves.
• An electric buffer.
• A soft to medium bristle brush (if stubborn grime is present).

Step 2:  Wipe And Scrub.

Give the table good wipe down and sweep away dust, sand, leaves or other loose bits of residue that might have collected on the table's surface between games. Then, don the rubber gloves and get to work by scrubbing any areas of grime or salt deposits that might have built up on the playing surface. For this, we'll need a dilute solution of a mild liquid detergent in warm water and a soft cloth. Once clean, leave to dry or pat down with an old towel.

PRO-TIP: An abrasive scrubbing brush (not a scourer) can be used on stubborn build-ups, however please be sure to only use a medium or soft bristled brush that won't scratch the table surface! (If in doubt, you can always test the brush on a small, inconspicuous area such as the underside of the playing surface.)

Step 3: Wax On. Wax Off.

Now that the table surface is clean and dry, we're ready to apply a protective polish / wax coat. Today we're using Meguiar's 'Clear Coat Safe Polishing Compound' but any high-grade non-abrasive car wax will do the trick. (Just don't use compound-type waxes - this type of wax contains abrasives that can harm the powder coating.) Start with a small section of the table (approximately one 8th of the playing surface) and using a soft cloth or rag, rub a light coating onto the surface using gentle circular motions. Once applied evenly, use your buffing cloth (or electric buffer) to get your Ralph Maggio on and wipe away excess wax for a nice, polished finish. Proceed to the next section of the playing surface and repeat as above until the whole table is complete. Be sure to wipe off any globs of wax that remain on the surface as you go - if any wax remains on the coated surface, it could bake into place under the sun's ultraviolet light, leading to permanent staining!

PRO-TIP: A soft, clean cloth and some good old fashioned elbow grease will suffice here, but if you can get your hands on an electric buffer (pictured above) waxing and buffing becomes a breeze!



For the final details, you can use your microfibre cloth and buffer to get in and around all the fiddly areas such as the net and frame if required.



Voila! Cleaned, waxed, polished and looking brand new again. 5 years on and still going strong!