What scale are the ICE pads referring to? The blue pad says 1500 grit, is that the old US ANSI/CAMI-p4000 FEPA or something different? Hopefully this makes sense, I’m trying to learn all this crap.

I'm kind of curious if they work well like the NEAT pads. Since the NEAT pads are discontinued, it's hard to find them since I would like to at least have a pad at 800 or 1000. Sia pads are what I've been using lately but they're ready to be replaced, too.

My abralon (have a few NEAT as well still) pads sure don't get much use since I stocked up on scotch brites and trizact (for the higher grits). Abralon and ICE are probably better for precise surface reproducibility but cost just isn't worth it for this house hack.

Quote from: HackJandy on March 25, 2018, 07:28:15 PM

My abralon (have a few NEAT as well still) pads sure don't get much use since I stocked up on scotch brites and trizact (for the higher grits). Abralon and ICE are probably better for precise surface reproducibility but cost just isn't worth it for this house hack.

Is there a web site to order Trizact from?

I ordered mine off of Amazon.   3k and 5k.  I just cut them into smaller pads for use on the spinner.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005RNGL9O/

https://www.amazon.com/Trizact-5000-Grit-Performance-Sandpaper/dp/B00LIXEWXO/

I went with the 6" discs which work as well.  Yes the 3k Trizact should give approximately the same finish as 3k abralon and pads last much longer. 

https://www.amazon.com/01459-Trizact-3000-Performance-Sanding/dp/B005CEHTEY/ref=sr_1_3

https://www.walmart.com/ip/3M-30662-Trizact-Hookit-6-Inch-P5000-Grit-Foam-Disc-1-Disc/357021271

Quote from: HackJandy on March 25, 2018, 07:28:15 PM

My abralon (have a few NEAT as well still) pads sure don't get much use since I stocked up on scotch brites and trizact (for the higher grits). Abralon and ICE are probably better for precise surface reproducibility but cost just isn't worth it for this house hack.

Do you know of any places online that still sells the the NEAT pads?

As near as I can tell, all sources of NEAT pads have dried up, disappeared as is the case here:
https://www.bowling.com/products/discontinued/900global-neat-finishing-pads.htm?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqrCTtraZ2gIVh6_ICh0BVQX3EAEYASAAEgLlmfD_BwE

Since 900 Global has replaced NEAT pads with ICE pads, only someplace that has left over stock might still have them.
FYI a bowling friend has done some testing, comparing his old NEAT pads with the newer ICE pads and the ICE pads are at least as good as the NEAT, better in many factors.

The only difference I can tell is that there are less grit options with the ICE pads.

charlest - I always enjoy reading your posts.

In your experience, and generally speaking, how do the ICE pads compare to the Abralon pads? Specifically, how is an ICE pad rated at 1500 compare to an Abralon pad rated at 1500?

Thank you, sir.

They all use the same grading system, FEPA, so all the results should be very close, given the human element.

I have not yet tried the ICE pads; they are very expensive.
I have compared Abralon to their predecessor, NEAT pads. I understand the ICE pads are very close overall to the NEAT pads, from a bowling friend, whose opinion I trust implicitly.

Overall I prefer the NEAT (ICE) pads to Abralon for a couple of factors. Even though they are expensive, their cost, amortized over the life of the pad, becomes much less per use. I have gotten over 30 uses from one 4000 grit neaT pad. when I changed to a new one just because I was worried; it still seemed to work like new. I was amazed. That is cost effective!! Their appearance seems smoother and more consistent overall than Abralon and Siaair pads.

That is not to denigrate Abralon and Siaair, which remain excellent for bowling ball finishing, as far as I am concerned.

My one concern for the ICE pads is the limited range of grits for which it is available.
Neat and ICE pads seem to be almost as long lasting as Trizact.

Quote from: n00dlejester on April 04, 2018, 12:27:32 PM

charlest - I always enjoy reading your posts.

In your experience, and generally speaking, how do the ICE pads compare to the Abralon pads? Specifically, how is an ICE pad rated at 1500 compare to an Abralon pad rated at 1500?

Thank you, sir.

They all use the same grading system, FEPA, so all the results should be very close, given the human element.

I have not yet tried the ICE pads; they are very expensive.
I have compared Abralon to their predecessor, NEAT pads. I understand the ICE pads are very close overall to the NEAT pads, from a bowling friend, whose opinion I trust implicitly.

Overall I prefer the NEAT (ICE) pads to Abralon for a couple of factors. Even though they are expensive, their cost, amortized over the life of the pad, becomes much less per use. I have gotten over 30 uses from one 4000 grit neaT pad. when I changed to a new one just because I was worried; it still seemed to work like new. I was amazed. That is cost effective!! Their appearance seems smoother and more consistent overall than Abralon and Siaair pads.

That is not to denigrate Abralon and Siaair, which remain excellent for bowling ball finishing, as far as I am concerned.

My one concern for the ICE pads is the limited range of grits for which it is available.
Neat and ICE pads seem to be almost as long lasting as Trizact.

+1 I agree, the NEAT pads do seem to last much longer than Abralon and Sia Air pads. The ones I have used I managed to use 20+ times and didn't feel worn out at all.