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Author Topic: 3m products  (Read 1956 times)

rico4life

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3m products
« on: February 02, 2010, 02:35:43 PM »
I was wondering if anyone is using 3m products like finese-it or rubbing compound to polish balls. I am curious of what grit you feel these products are leaving the ball, or what reaction you are getting. One of the proshops around here uses finese-it alot for a higher finishs.
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charlest

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Re: 3m products
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2010, 07:35:01 AM »
Their "Rubbing Compounds" today usually have a grit number on the label, to the effect, "this compound removes scratches of 1500 grit and finer". It can be 1500 grit, 2000 grit, whatever.

Finesse-It II, I believe does not have a grit level specified on it. I also believe it contains some abrasive to smooth out the surface, because it puts a shine on things, almost too quickly. I use the Marine version, usually intended for fibreglass on boats. So I assume it is slightly different than the "standard" version meant for paint finishes on cars. Both are very fine,so I assume, again, they''re in the 3000 - 4000 grit range, if it can be said to have a grit range. (Don''t assume that.) Both indicate that they do not contain silicone. SO I feel they''re safe to use on bowling balls.

I make sure a ball''s surface is at or just below where I want the grit to be before I apply Finesse-It II. Actually, since starting to use Valentino''s Snake Oil, I don''t recall the last time I used Finesse-It. It ain''t cheap.
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Edited on 2/3/2010 8:35 AM
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

dizzyfugu

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Re: 3m products
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2010, 08:33:23 AM »
I use and love Finesse-It II. It is a wax-free rubbing compound, intended to smooth out scratches/sanding lines in the 3.000 grit range, and it works perfectly and safe on bowling balls.

On 4.000 abralon, you get a true marble shine - ball looks highly polished, but the surface is pure and tacky. I found this prep very handy to get a ball through the heads, yet maintain more control at the breakpoint than through other polishes like Brunswick's High Gloss (a compound with wax) or Lanemaster's stuff (a true gritless polish). Due to the tackiness, the pin mix also becomes unreal! And it seems to be a pretty durable finish.

If you can get hold of a bottle - grab it, and experiment. I can only tell positive things about teh stuff, except for that the bottles are huge and expensive, from a bowler's point of view..
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Brickguy221

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Re: 3m products
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2010, 10:33:11 AM »
For myself, I have found 500 Grit Abralon followed by 3M Finesse-It II works well for me on polished balls. Another combination on polished balls that also works well for me is Valentino''s Resurrection applied over the 500 Grit Abralon sanding and then followed by 3M Finesse-It II.
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Edited on 2/3/2010 11:34 AM
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"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away"

lenstanles703

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Re: 3m products
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2010, 02:33:35 PM »
I have used red rubbing compound to get a rough buff like finish. Works well and the price is very reasonable. For high gloss I use Bean's Secret Sauce.
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