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Author Topic: Sidewinder surface?  (Read 2313 times)

bigearv14

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Sidewinder surface?
« on: April 28, 2009, 01:59:50 PM »
I thought this ball came at 400 sanded, then Rough Buff. The one I had before looked that way. The new one I just got from Mexico looks highly polished. Are the surfaces different on this ball depending on where they came from?
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I need more revs...and more weight. I mean, 15# is fine, but 135# doesn''t do me any favors!!!
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J_Mac

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Re: Sidewinder surface?
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2009, 10:03:40 PM »
That is the exact reason I don't like polishes and compounds.  There are too many variables that can create a different surface.

FWIW - I always preferred to keep my Sidewinder at 2000 Abralon.  Specifically by hand...
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bigearv14

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Re: Sidewinder surface?
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2009, 04:21:58 AM »
I tried a couple of surfaces and liked 400 + Rough Buff best...I guess I'm really not sure if the underlying surface was 400, but I know it was Rough Buff.

This ball looks like it has High Gloss Polish on it...

And I haven't warmed up to high grit Abralon pads yet. I have tried 4000 and 2000 on about 5-6 balls, and they were pretty weak. The only partial success I had was 2000 + polish on a Night Hawk. That ball killed!!!
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I need more revs...and more weight. I mean, 15# is fine, but 135# doesn't do me any favors!!!
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J_Mac

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Re: Sidewinder surface?
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2009, 06:56:55 AM »
400 is the underlying grit for factory polish at Brunswick.
220 is the underlying grit for Rough Buff...

IMO 2000 by hand appears duller than most of the OOB Sidewinders I've seen.
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charlest

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Re: Sidewinder surface?
« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2009, 12:32:10 PM »
I found 4000 Abralon to appear and act just slightly rougher, duller looking than the 220 grit + Rough Buff stock surface on my Ultra Zone, and one my Twisted Fury Pearl. 4000 Abralon seems a decent starting point and an easier one than using the normal 220 grit + RB.

When using Rough Buff, you do have to be careful in its application. The Avalanche Solid is one example of an RB finish that appears to be polished when it is Rough Buff. This can happen when the starting grit level is too fine.

Start the Sidewinder at 220 grit, and then apply RB in stages, a little at a time. Clean the ball off and see what it looks like EACH TIME YOU APPLY SOME. This way you won't pass the stage you want. It's much easier to do this, that to pass it by and have to go back and start over.

If a base sanding of 220 leaves it too rough, start at 320 grit.

Good luck.

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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

NoseofRI

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Re: Sidewinder surface?
« Reply #5 on: April 29, 2009, 01:01:35 PM »
Brunswick did orginally use 220 for the underlying surface for Rough Buff but actually suggest going with 400 if doing it by hand, due to not being able to replicate heat and spin speed created at factory.  The new sidewinder you got could also have been one of the reactive ones that were Mexico mis-haps, but reacts unbelievably well.  

I actually put my original sidewinder at 320 with rough buff, which has been great for me.  Extremely smooth, but still hits and carries very well.  I did also pick up a reactive one which I redid the "factory" surface going 400 + rough buff.
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Jay

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Re: Sidewinder surface?
« Reply #6 on: April 29, 2009, 06:55:28 PM »
I must say my Avalanche looks high-gloss to me.  I can't remember if it looked like this OOB but my pro shop applied rough buff over either 220 grit US or 360 Abralon, not sure which.  I'm guessing it was applied no different than polish is applied.  I assume pressure and amount are pretty important when using RB.
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J_w73

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Re: Sidewinder surface?
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2009, 12:09:41 AM »
Make sure you got one that has particle in it.. they did have some that didn't have any particle and looked alot glossier..
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16-17 mph,350 rpm,PAP 5 1/2 x 3/8up, HighGame 300 x 3, High Series 782
Book Average 215 / 205,PBA Xperience ave180

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350 RPM, 17 MPH

dizzyfugu

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Re: Sidewinder surface?
« Reply #8 on: April 30, 2009, 03:56:21 AM »
The late factory-finished Rough Buff balls have been very shiny - best example is the Avalanche Solid which looks almost polished. I suppose it is just the automatic polishing process, but I found it hard to duplicate this finish (and the reaction) at home.
4.000 Abralon with lots of water comes IMO close to it any ball I tried Rough Buff with on a 220 or 400 grit base looked very dull. On 600 grit (green pad) it had more lustre, but the reaction became poor, not as good as OOB. Tricky thing.
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DizzyFugu ~ Reporting from Germany

bigearv14

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Re: Sidewinder surface?
« Reply #9 on: April 30, 2009, 05:22:05 AM »
This one has particles...definitely. I've seen one of the reactives, and this looks more like my old one.

I'll try it at this finish, whatever it is, but the smoothness and predictability of this ball was nuts!!! If this ball doesn't have it, I'll try the 220 with Rough Buff on a spinner.

Thanks everyone!!
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I need more revs...and more weight. I mean, 15# is fine, but 135# doesn't do me any favors!!!
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