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Author Topic: Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?  (Read 6862 times)

JessN16

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Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?
« on: December 19, 2008, 12:52:33 PM »
I've read all these posts about shelf life for Abralon and I've come to the conclusion that either my Abralon is on steroids or I'm doing it wrong.

My method is this: I use a LOT of water, I do the top half of the ball for 30-45 seconds, switch, do the bottom half (or two-thirds). I use a Vertex Mold 1/2-hp spinner.

I use gentle, even pressure, and as far as I can tell, the pads are still doing their job. While I've done only one hardcore resurface so far (the rest have just been surface adjustments), I've done about 12-15 balls with one 2000 pad and it still feels abrasive and still appears to be doing its job.

So what's going on here? How do I tell when it's no good anymore?

Jess
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charlest

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Re: Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2008, 09:08:50 PM »
When your current one does not have the same texture to your fingers as a new one of the same grit.
That's my test. 70% of mine is light but complete refreshing. 30% is removing the shine from balls.
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JessN16

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Re: Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2008, 12:05:25 AM »
quote:
When your current one does not have the same texture to your fingers as a new one of the same grit.
That's my test. 70% of mine is light but complete refreshing. 30% is removing the shine from balls.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."


What happens if they don't feel the same, but still feel like they have some grit? What's the effect on the ball (i.e., if you have a well-used 2000 pad, what kind of finish is it leaving on the ball? Approximately 1000, approximately 3000, etc.)?

Jess
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LFSoccer2k6

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Re: Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2008, 12:56:47 AM »
a very used 1000 is more like 2000 and very used 2000 is like 4000.  if you have 2 used 1000 pads, use both of them at the same time on the spinner.  we use pads at my shop as long as you possibly can and maybe longer with no issues what-so-ever.
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Greg Townsend
Best Bowling Pro Shop, Inc.
Lindenwood University Bowling
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JessN16

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Re: Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?
« Reply #4 on: December 20, 2008, 12:57:45 AM »
quote:
a very used 1000 is more like 2000 and very used 2000 is like 4000.  if you have 2 used 1000 pads, use both of them at the same time on the spinner.  we use pads at my shop as long as you possibly can and maybe longer with no issues what-so-ever.
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Greg Townsend
Best Bowling Pro Shop, Inc.
Lindenwood University Bowling


Thanks!

Jess
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azguy

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Re: Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?
« Reply #5 on: December 20, 2008, 05:52:32 AM »
My test is two fold. The 'feel' of the pad, usually close to the center of it, and the second is the 'look'. I find with 2000 and 4000's I get a very light discoloration on them after 5-7 uses. I use plenty of water, a small nylon brush to take off any particles between pads, but the 2000 and 4000's seem to 'wear down' a bit faster than the other grits.

When I do plug work, I start with a sandpaper product to cut the larger parts, followed by the pads. I will, be it right or wrong, after a 2000 doesn't seem to be 'normal', write on the pad a 3000+ and use this for any small minor cover adjustment that someone may want. If there's no use for it after a while, I use the foam portion to apply a polish, when needed.

Once I feel they are no good for either, I use the pad to 'cushion' the ball that is waiting to be picked up by a customer, between the ball and cup, just extra cushion. As you can see, I'm cheap and will use them for things long after the intended use is gone. I live in a dusty area and will use the foam portion to dust off the shop items, as needed.

The lower grits ( 180, 360, 500 ) seem to wear faster than others and that's the reason I went to sandpaper for those grits. As I said, maybe wrong, maybe be right but never had any complaints, and in these times, gotta' save where ya' can.
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charlest

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Re: Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?
« Reply #6 on: December 20, 2008, 06:01:54 AM »
quote:
quote:
When your current one does not have the same texture to your fingers as a new one of the same grit.
That's my test. 70% of mine is light but complete refreshing. 30% is removing the shine from balls.
--------------------
"None are so blind as those who will not see."


What happens if they don't feel the same, but still feel like they have some grit? What's the effect on the ball (i.e., if you have a well-used 2000 pad, what kind of finish is it leaving on the ball? Approximately 1000, approximately 3000, etc.)?

Jess


That's the problem. It's an unknown. It's finer as the abrasive has been both worn down and posisbly removed. It is definitely finer, because it can't get any rougher. You can use a "worn" 2000 Abralon as something finer than 2000 but who knows where it is, whether it's 3000 or 4000 grit???

After 4 uses or so, if I were feeling really cheap, I might be tempted to use as  4000 grit on a ball I was too concerned about. But then, I'd compare it,by feel, to a NEW 4000 grit pad.

ADDENDUM: After reading Roger's (azguy) response, I agree about wear. On a 4000 grit pad, when it's reallyworn, it starts to produce a glaze rather than a matte finish. In spots you can see it shining the ball. Bad sign. You have to redo that ball with a fresh 4000 Abralon pad.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

Edited on 12/20/2008 7:05 AM
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Tom

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Re: Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?
« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2009, 09:02:41 PM »
What really plays hell with the Abralon pads is the finger inserts.
Like Charlest said, "it starts to produce a glaze rather than a
matte finish." Be sure to set your inserts at least level with the
ball surface. I bevel the finger holes and set the inserts 1/16"
below the ball surface to reduce pad wear. None the less they still
wear out after six or so uses.
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themagician

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Re: Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?
« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2009, 09:07:56 PM »
I always find it tough and just go with 7 uses as the end of the life span as the intended grit. I have a used set and a new set and toy around with the used set, I find my worn 4k pads are nice to just scuff polish off lighty by hand, I also have been using the foam backing part as a polishing pad when they wear out.

Also, a little off topic but I find completely soaking the pads and ringing them out to help keep them fresh. I keep a bucket of water by my spinner so I can do this and find its really nice to dunk the pad so its soaked and then use it to help preserve it.
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bowlerdawg

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Re: Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?
« Reply #9 on: January 16, 2009, 09:25:36 PM »
i was thinking mine were worn out the other day
so like a dumbass
i took off my platnium wedding band and proceeded to wipe the 2000 grit pad all aroung my ring, and well............

mine are still plenty good

now my ring looks like brushed stainless steel

live and learn

now i got to go find some flitz metal polish and polish it back up, meanwhile she is like

why arent you wearing your ring........blah..blah...blah

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any buzzsaw is better than no buzzsaw

Edited on 1/17/2009 1:10 PM
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mrbowlingnut

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Re: Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?
« Reply #10 on: January 16, 2009, 11:01:37 PM »
Almost every jeweler will repolish a wedding band for free or at the most 5 bucks or so. Zales used to do this a courtesy to any client, one of my GF's was a store manager so for me it always free oops guess not when you pay for expensive dinners lol



quote:
i was thinking mine were worn out the other day
so like a dumbass
i took off my platnium wedding band and proceeded to wife the 2000 grit pad all aroung my ring, and well............

mine are still plenty good

now my ring looks like brushed stainless steel

live and learn

now i got to go find some flitz metal polish and polish it back up, meanwhile she is like

why arent you wearing your ring........blah..blah...blah

--------------------
member : F.O.S.

any buzzsaw is better than no buzzsaw
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JohnP

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Re: Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?
« Reply #11 on: January 17, 2009, 09:46:46 AM »
quote:
Also, a little off topic but I find completely soaking the pads and ringing them out to help keep them fresh. I keep a bucket of water by my spinner so I can do this and find its really nice to dunk the pad so its soaked and then use it to help preserve it.


I do the same thing, plus I use a small stiff brush to remove all sanding residue from the surface.  --  JohnP
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Brickguy221

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Re: Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?
« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2009, 10:43:33 AM »
quote:
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also, a little off topic but I find completely soaking the pads and ringing them out to help keep them fresh. I keep a bucket of water by my spinner so I can do this and find its really nice to dunk the pad so its soaked and then use it to help preserve it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I do the same thing, plus I use a small stiff brush to remove all sanding residue from the surface. -- JohnP
 


After each use I hold the Abralon Pad under running water and brush lightly with a toothbrush.
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WiscBowler

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Re: Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?
« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2009, 06:56:16 AM »
What's the difference in applying the pads to your ball dry vs. with water?
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charlest

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Re: Abralon -- how to tell when it wears out?
« Reply #14 on: January 24, 2009, 08:15:46 AM »
quote:
What's the difference in applying the pads to your ball dry vs. with water?


dry is bad for the ball and worse for you. You do not want to breathe that dust in. If you do it dry, the dust will float up and you WILL breathe it in.

Wet is a lubricant. These abrasives are meant to be used with a lubricant. Water is safest and easiest and cheapest to use with Abralon pads. The pads are designed with a foam backing less for flexibility and more to retain the water that oozes out as you use it. It helps make for a smoother application and the dust is flushed away as you press the abrasive to the surface.

It's a win-win situation.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
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