BallReviews
General Category => Coverstock Preparation => Topic started by: Antec on November 01, 2014, 01:10:15 PM
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How much polish should be applied? I used to polish my Epidemic with a few nickel size (thick) doses of Factory Finish per side. Had some pretty good results. When the ball got to the friction it would make a hard left turn. Over the last couple months I have been playing around with Snake Oil, at first I was pouring a little amount onto a damp towel and applying it, still decent results.
So after doing some reading about polish, I just did a fresh surface on the Epidemic and applied a light dose of Snake Oil, held the damp cloth on the top of the bottle and turned it over, then put it on the ball. The finish was a haze. I thought OK this is going to grab the lane, damn thing went straight. Does that even make sense?
Am I losing energy with this light dose? Am I using too little? I am just trying to figure out what is the proper amount!
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I find snake oil the best polish out there. Weird. What's the undergrit?
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Finished at 1000
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I use about a dime size on a damp but not wet cloth. I do this in 4 sides for 15secs with medium pressure. Then I take a dry terry cloth rag and just hold light pressure like on each side to "buff it". Never have had it just go straight. Atleast not with snake oil
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Am I losing energy with this light dose? Am I using too little? I am just trying to figure out what is the proper amount!
That's my guess. Hazing a 1000 grit surface may get you to 3000 but it will still be dull and very grippy.
What's right for you is something you really have to discover for yourself.
I'd suggest a 1500 or 2000 grit under-layer, onto which to apply the polish.
Then I'd start with one quarter sized dollop per side (2 sides) of the ball on a spinner. Spread it around by hand, then turn on the spinner and press with medium pressure for maybe 30 - 45 seconds. Then buff with a clean terry cloth or micro-fiber towel. Look for a light to medium gloss.
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What you could be seeing is you have the same amount of polish but hitting carry down and that's why the ball is not picking up in the backend when hitting friction. I see this often on such a lane condition with polished equipment. Anyway it's a possibility. Nothing has changed as far as your equipment preparation but the lane condition has changed.
BTW....I should add in this situation where you need length from head oil depletion to get more skid doesn't given enough traction on backend thru carry down. It's a Catch-22. If this is what you are seeing we all know this can be very perplexing and becomes more advanced as far as equipment and lane play.
charlest's explanation on how to apply polish is what I also use. It's a proven method. You can use old worn out SIAair/abralon pads....the backing on them to apply polish.
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Thanks for the info. I'll get the spinner out and play with it some more. It was an experiment. It just didn't work as planned. But I will try the what you folks said I am sure I will get the results I am looking for. Thanks again!
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In effect, with the 1000 grit you are helping the ball bleed energy faster and smoothing the shape of your reaction. I use 1000 and polish when I want to tame the backend motion and square up my shoulders a little better but still get the ball through the heads when a lot of friction is present.
What were you using on the Epidemic before this under grit change?
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Before this change I had it at 2000. I was just trying something different.
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I am a fan of 500+polish. Gives more control, but maintains a ton of power and drive on my primal rage.
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Surface is an experiment. If you liked it at the 2000 polish then take it back to that surface.
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That's the plan, like I said it was an experiment. I was wondering if I used to little polish, which Charlest, Vkowalski confirmed, plus the added note of Scotts33, it all makes sense. Thanks guys!
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I use Snake Oil mostly but will use Ebonite Factory Gloss ocassionally. I apply is with a damp Meguiar's car polishing spounge, but using the back side of Saair or Abralon Pads as some suggest should work just as good. As for the time to polish each side, I have began using the guide put out by Motiv for Motiv balls and it has worked really great for me. It and their sanding guidelines brings their balls back to NIB condition for me.
What I am getting at for other brands of balls here is try what they say and see how it works. You will find their recommendations at the bottom of the 3 columns.Try 15 seconds each side and if more polish needed, try 30 seconds. Like I said it has worked perfect on my Motiv balls, so it may work on other brands also. Try it and see.
http://www.motivbowling.com/resources/factory-finish-guide.html
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Thanks for the link Brick! When I get home from work in the morning, I am going to polish it up, then test in warm ups. If it's still not moving right, will take it take it back to 2000 with the amount and times that where mentioned from the replies. I'am going to switch out three balls in my arsenal at the end of this week, and this will be one of them. The Epidemic is my favorite of all my balls, but right now its just not doing it for me. Thanks again!
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Since using newspaper I no longer use polish. Sad thing is I have 90lbs(literally) of various ball polishes. I find the consistency in application and reaction very worth while.