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Author Topic: Polish vs. Higher grit sanding?  (Read 25259 times)

JamesCube

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Polish vs. Higher grit sanding?
« on: October 29, 2005, 04:15:05 AM »
Let's say I have a ball at 1000-grit Abralon sanded surface.

What's the difference in reaction going to be with sanding it to a higher grit (2000, 3000, 4000) as opposed to polishing?

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Sawuser

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Re: Polish vs. Higher grit sanding?
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2005, 02:26:20 PM »
With my experience using abralon pads of assorted grits, I have found it smooths out the reaction somewhat compared to when polish is applied. If you take a skid/flip polished ball & knock the shine off, it will probably start its roll a bit earlier & the move will not be as sharp. Depending on the reaction you want to see would dictate what grit to use. On my previously polished balls, I have been using the 4000 grit abralon & do notice the difference.
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Brickguy221

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Re: Polish vs. Higher grit sanding?
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2005, 04:34:57 PM »
I think what works here is dependent on the bowler. What works for one person doesn't work for another. For example, I've tried the higher grits (2000-4000)of Abrolon pads and wasn't happy with the results as I get sanding with a 500 grit Abralon with sanding lines running parallel to the track and then polishing with 3M Finesse It II.

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Edited on 10/29/2005 4:26 PM
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charlest

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Re: Polish vs. Higher grit sanding?
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2005, 06:29:04 PM »
quote:
what is abralon!?
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six pack

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Re: Polish vs. Higher grit sanding?
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2005, 07:42:21 PM »
in general it smooths out the break on skid flippy type balls.
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Sawuser

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Re: Polish vs. Higher grit sanding?
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2005, 08:21:49 PM »
jturley, here is one source for abralon. Scroll down to the 6" abralon with a red heading. This is what most guys use.

http://www.smartshoppersinc.com/sandpaper/Mirka_Sandpaper.html
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Wayne
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dizzyfugu

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Re: Polish vs. Higher grit sanding?
« Reply #6 on: November 04, 2005, 07:44:59 AM »
When you add polish, you make a ball slip through the oil and the recation, especially for reactive balls, will be "violent" when they touch dry ground. A sanded surface increases lane/ball surface interaction and can enhance traction characteristics of the coverstock. A sheen/sanded surface will generally react earlier and smoother than a polished one.

Besides, there is also eneryg storage in the ball to kept in mind. When you put revs on a ball, the core "stores" it for the backend. Ball traction eats up this energy storage, and a dull ball is rather prone to energy loss than a polished one, especially on lighter conditions and/or shorter patterns. Particle balls, especially those with carbide "spikes", are also prone to early eneryg loss and roll-out.
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charlest

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Re: Polish vs. Higher grit sanding?
« Reply #7 on: November 04, 2005, 12:33:21 PM »
quote:
I do most of my bowling on a light condition, and I use a 2000 grit polished finish quite a bit.  I recently bought some Abralon pads in the high number grits.  I haven't tried them out yet.  Has anyone directly compared the reaction difference of the same ball with a 2000 grit polish versus with a 4000 grit Abralon finish?  I sort of suspect a smoother breakpoint with the 4000 grit Abralon, but what about length?--------------------
"...with the right kind of eyes, you can almost see the high water mark--that place where the wave finally broke and rolled back."
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Ah, yes! Someone has finally hit the crux of the matter: both energy retention AND necessary length.

A while back, about 6 months or so, someone else said that he used the 4000 grit Abralon pad on a polished pearlized ball and got more control less susceptibility to carrydown and all good things. Well, I tried it (4000 grit Abralon pad) on a pearl resin and for me it reduced the length to an unacceptable degree. Maybe with a weaker cover, it would have worked. Who knows? I have eliminated this procedure from my database of bowling possibilities.

Recently I tried a 2000 grit final Abralon finish on a solid resin ball that orginally came with a 400 grit sanded finish. This change got me the added length and control I needed for a dry, outside shot.

So, my suggestion is that, as long as you have the means AND knowledge to restore a ball to its former finish, by all means, try 2000, or 4000 grit Abralon finishes. If they work for your ball, your release and the oil pattern, then you've got yourself another weapon in your arsenal of bowling tricks. If not, restore the ball and try it again, when they need arises.

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DON DRAPER

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Re: Polish vs. Higher grit sanding?
« Reply #8 on: November 04, 2005, 01:58:16 PM »
whether a ball surface is dull, smooth sanded, or polished, they all have their place in bowling. if you bowl leagues at different houses and/or you go to tournaments there will be a time when you'll need these different surfaces. on a fresh house shot i like balls that have a smooth sanded surface with no polish. it's a more reliable way of reading the lanes without the skid/snap of a highly polished ball.
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mrbowlingnut

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Re: Polish vs. Higher grit sanding?
« Reply #9 on: November 04, 2005, 02:14:36 PM »
Contact gilaz33 3.00 each shipped from him guy sent me my assortment within 2 days.
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Brickguy221

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Re: Polish vs. Higher grit sanding?
« Reply #10 on: November 04, 2005, 03:00:44 PM »
If you don't want an assortment and only want certain grits like I do as I never use the 2000 and 4000 grit pads, you can get individual grits from Tool Peddler. I don't think gilaz33 sells individual grits. I think he sells only by assortment as the ones Barry got from him........But as always, I could be wrong.

Here is the Tool Peddler link...

http://www.toolpeddler.com/abralonMirka.htm
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Brick

Edited on 11/4/2005 3:52 PM
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mrbowlingnut

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Re: Polish vs. Higher grit sanding?
« Reply #11 on: November 04, 2005, 03:04:19 PM »
He sent me exact quananties of what i requested cool guy and 3.00 each includes shipping. Get a 500,1000,2000, 4000 and he also sells a grey pad and burgandy pad that are finer lines than 3m brands are.

Edited on 11/4/2005 3:56 PM
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Brickguy221

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Re: Polish vs. Higher grit sanding?
« Reply #12 on: November 04, 2005, 03:06:14 PM »
Well, as I said........"But as always, I could be wrong."...lol
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Brick
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charlest

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Re: Polish vs. Higher grit sanding?
« Reply #13 on: November 04, 2005, 05:51:24 PM »
quote:
I do most of my bowling on a light condition, and I use a 2000 grit polished finish quite a bit.  I recently bought some Abralon pads in the high number grits.  I haven't tried them out yet.  Has anyone directly compared the reaction difference of the same ball with a 2000 grit polish versus with a 4000 grit Abralon finish?  I sort of suspect a smoother breakpoint with the 4000 grit Abralon, but what about length?
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"...with the right kind of eyes, you can almost see the high water mark--that place where the wave finally broke and rolled back."
              --HST


While I haven't done 2000 vs 4000 grit comparison, I have done 1000 vs 2000 grit, with and without polish. The change in grits does exactly what you would envision the degree in finish roughness would: the finer the grit, the greater the length AND the less bite in the backend, translating into less backend, lesser ability to handle carrydown, less ability to handle oil, etc. (BTW, this is precisely what Brunswick suggests with their High Gloss Polish which does not change the underlying base sanding finish!)

Taking the next logical step, the stronger the coverstock is, the finer you can sand it and still get a strong-ish reaction. (I Believe the new Ebonite or Hammer ball is sanded to 4000 grit Abralon and it has a very strong midlane reaction, indicating a strong coverstock and strong core.)
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