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Author Topic: Clearing up some misconceptions...  (Read 2282 times)

LeftE

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Clearing up some misconceptions...
« on: December 30, 2003, 10:57:10 AM »
There seems to be a lot of people who are a little misinformed when it comes to coverstock preparation, so I will try to clear up some of these.....

What is grit?

People often say I have the ball finished to a 800 grit ect. This is only half accurate. The surface of your ball is no where near 800 grit, otherwise it would feel like you where rubbing your hand over a piece of 800 grit sandpaper. Also, the proper way to sand a ball is called wet sanding, using water, or a water-soap as a medium between the ball and the abrasive used to sand the ball.

The water acts to "dull" the sandpaper, so as your 800 grit sandpaper actually acts as a higher grit number. Grit, simply is the a measurement used to determine the actual roughness or abrasivness of the sandpaper being used to resurface the ball....

What is a polish?

Polish is a super high grit abrasive. Sandpaper leaves tons of small scratches in a surface. The higher the grit sandpaper you finish your sanding with, the smaller the surface is under a microscope. Polish smoothes even the smallest scratches, leaving a smooth surface which then shines like a mirror. (Depending on how smooth you go.)

Usually I see people who say things like "the polish wore off.."  Polish will never wear off, because there is nothing left behind after it is used. Polish simply smoothes the little scratches left from sanding. The polish may appear to rub off. In reality the haze that makes the polish appear to wipe off, is simply the wear and tear (and little scratches) the ball receives from normal use.

Polish is not a wax (and any polish contain silicon or wax additives should NEVER be used), so it doesn't wear out or rub off. The proper way to apply polish with a hand is through medium to high pressure, and a lot of rubbing the same spot. Not like waxing your car.

What is rubbing compound?

True rubbing compound is a rougher grit polish.

That is all for now, hope I helped, and I will be back later
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charlest

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Re: Clearing up some misconceptions...
« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2003, 07:55:31 AM »
LeftE,

I agree with your statements about polish and rubbing compound, in general, BUT

quote:
The water acts to "dull" the sandpaper, so as your 800 grit sandpaper actually acts as a higher grit number. Grit, simply is the a measurement used to determine the actual roughness or abrasivness of the sandpaper being used to resurface the ball....


Water does NOT act to dull sandpaper. It acts as lubricant, like oil does to pistons and other car parts. It prevents wear. It does not make the sandpaper grit finer or rougher. Any pressure on wet/dry sandpaper or Scotch_brite pads using water as a lubricant will change a ball's surface to the specified "grit". The water's main purpose is to make the procees more even and less haphazard. It helps to prevent irregularities in the surface, that is, causing some areaa to be rougher and some to be finer.
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scotts33

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Re: Clearing up some misconceptions...
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2003, 08:22:55 AM »
Good topic.  For those of us lucky enough to have spinners....it's a learning curve.  Again, coverstock is the easiest thing to alter and changes ball reaction the most.  

Recently, I have used Neo-Tac Control It over 600 grit sanded on my Thing and this gives me a great reaction on many of the lane conditions I see.  It seems the ridges and valleys under the Control-it have a decided effect as to a smoother base.  I like what I see from this experiment.

Have others done this?  Like it or not?

Scott
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Scott

bwilling

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Re: Clearing up some misconceptions...
« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2003, 08:58:40 AM »
quote:
Water does NOT act to dull sandpaper. It acts as lubricant...
... It helps to prevent irregularities in the surface, that is, causing some areaa to be rougher and some to be finer.


Well, technically, water doesn`t act as a lubricant per se, rather it acts as a flushing agent, working to remove the particles of grit disposed from the sandpaper and particles of material that are being removed from the ball itself. It`s the buildup of these particles between the work surfaces (the sandpaper and the ball) that can cause irregularities in the surface finish.

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LeftE

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Re: Clearing up some misconceptions...
« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2003, 09:49:24 AM »
LOL I understand water doesn't act to "dull" the sandpaper, as such that is why I placed it in quotes. The surface will be smoother when wet sanding because of the fewer irregularities, and dull was my word to make it easier to understand.
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