Does HG actually change the surface grit, or does it just add polish over whatever the grit is? As an experiment, I took my Toxic to 320 and added HG, and took my Passion to 240 and added Rough Buff.

Both 'shine' wise look almost identical (I know that can mean nothing), but the Toxic just wouldn't flip on the backend, as where the Passion would.

How would HG compare to say, 4000 grit abralon? Assuming I took the ball to 500 or 1000 abralon.
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Ah yes. I have my temporary driver's license - and - my astronaut application form... I didn't pass that though, I failed everything but the date of birth. -Steve Martin (The Jerk)

Well, I only work with Brunswick's HG an RB since it is the only stuff available around here. About RB, I second CharlesT - it depends really on the base grit you apply. Do not get too fine, I found anytghing less than 600 grit to be counterproductive - at least on my home-made spinner and my style.

HG has no grit, whatsoever, and works well with any coverstock I tried it on, including Columbia, Brunswick (incl. MoRich, Revolution), Storm, Hammer. Especially Storm covers seem to respond well to HG.
I just found that whan I use 400 base grit as recommended by Brunswick, the finish is not very even. You see and feel the sanding lines, which is still the case on a 1.000 grit base (grey pad). Again, this can the result of my non-standard spinner.
I also found that these "rough" polished surfaces did not work well for me on the lanes. But with a base of 1.500 grit (sanding pad) or less, the surface becomes almost mirror-like and the balls read the lane very well, so this is the finish I normally apply, or a 2.000 grit Abralon base + HG.

HG works well with a fine base grit, while RB does not. In so far, these complement each other well.

HG will leave definititvely a slicker surface than pure 4.000 Abralon. The Abralon surface will read the lane better, earlier (from personal tests, I'd say 3-5' on the same ball), and with a base grit of 1.000 or more, you have more sanding lines in the surface than 4.000 or even 2.000 Abralon. I think a 400 base + HG comes close to 2.000 Abralon, in overall reaction, but the finer teh base, the more skid/snap a HG application will IMHO yield on a ball.

Your Toxic might have been too coarse at 320 grit. I had a similar effect on my Reaction Rip and Sahara with just a 800 base + HG: no control, poor hook, I thought the balls were dead. Then I tried the 2.000 Abralon base + HG, et voilà, both balls became those famous sharp hookers again I had known them before the 800 grit base treatment. Really strange how much slight adjustments can change overall ball performance. My tip: try a finer grit on the Toxic, and see what happens?
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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charlest - Yes, I would like the flip back again.

dizzyfugu - I'm going to to try the 2000 abralon, plus the HG and see what happens.

I'm supposed to be bowling on Cheetah tonight, so I could use the extra move off the dry. I'll see what happens, worst comes to worst, back to the spinner!

I'm also making a spreadsheet of my various coverstock experiments, so I can document what works and what doesn't.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks!
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Ah yes. I have my temporary driver's license - and - my astronaut application form... I didn't pass that though, I failed everything but the date of birth. -Steve Martin (The Jerk)