In my experience -
Royal shine is an aggressive polish, that smooths the surface and puts a shine on the ball for more length. (All polishes contain micro-abrasives which smooth the surface.) It should work for any base grit level, from 1000 - 4000 grit. The more you apply, the more you press for longer periods, the higher the gloss and the finer the finish, up to as much as 5500 grit or thereabouts.

Royal compound is not so much a polish but a "compound" with lots of rough aggressive abrasives in it. You can take a 500 grit surfaces to much higher grit levels in stages because the abrasives break down with pressure on the spinner, getting finer and finer. The main problem with compounds vs. abrasive pads, is the final surface is not related to any specific grit level. The final result depends "on your eyeball". In general, you will take it to somewhere between 1500 and 4000 grit.

RC will put a shine on the ball if you apply a lot with a decent amount of time on the spinner OR if you start with a finer base grit level, like 1500 or 2000 grit. But if you do that,  you might as well just use Royal Shine.

RC takes more experience and testing to get consistent results. RS is easier to get a shine, but RC can offer a wider range of final surfaces.

Ok thank you. So my teammate's Bad Intentions was pretty much coming into the pocket sideways because it hooked so early and so much. It is box surface. What surface would your suggestion be for me to start out at?

That stock surface is 500/2000. If that's too early, the first step is usually to take a 4000 grit pad to it. if that's still too early and too much, try a light coat of polish; then a medium gloss.

I suggested he take. 4000 pad to it Sunday night after league, but he didn't. He says he just needs to get adjusted to the ball. He is left handed and he threw the ball on his first blood line. The ball took out the 6-10 and I felt he was lucky to hit that. Keep in mind this is hitting around 15 at the arrows and 5 at the breakpoint. He is high rev and medium speed.

I want to laugh but that would be impolite. He is having problems understanding what is happening and I can only urge you to be supportive of your friend. Although it's unusual for a lefty to have to do, suggest he move deeper to catch more oil and hit the dry later down the lane.

I still think using a finer surface seems to be what is necessary here. 15 out to 5 is  good amount of hook, but not extreme. If he doesn't want to move deeper or if its not in his repertoire to do so, then a finer surface or polish or switching a MUCH milder ball are the only alternatives, if his ball reaction, taking out the 6-10, is as extreme as you indicate. (Actually if it is that extreme, I'd skip the 4000 grit step and go right to a hefty dose of polish, if he insists on using this ball on this condition.)

I know you've asked for surface suggestions, but a flare reducing balance hole could also be a solution.  For a symmetrical ball this would be 6 3/4" from the thumb hole, on the VAL.  Check to be sure this location is flare safe by marking it with 2 or 3 stacked pieces of tape and throwing it.  If it hits the tape move the location down the VAL toward the PAP until it misses it.  Start small and increase in size until you get the reaction you want.  Be sure to stay statically legal.  --  JohnP

Yes, but I also doubt there's any surface adjustment that will work.  Maybe a combination is the answer.  I had an asymmetric ball, The Look, that was too strong for my game.  I drilled a 3/4" x 3" P1 hole which weakened it so much that I had to partially plug it to get the reaction I wanted.  --  JohnP