Yes, in general, you can sand pearls and still get a good reaction, BUT the Blaze was designed for Medium to medium light oil patterns. It is a pretty good ball, in general, for those conditions. If you sand it, it will no longer be good for medium-light oil and may not be good for medium, dependign on how much you rough up the surface. You should keep the Blaze for the conditions for which it was designed and does work. YOu should get another ball for hevier oil that the Blase cannot handle.
IF, however, you will no longer face medium to medium-light oil patterns in the forseeable future, say 6-9 months, then, by all means, take a 600 grit, green Scotch-Brite nylon pad to the surface, very gently at first, to just barely "crack the surface" of the ball. Then test it on the oil pattern for which you are now having trouble. If that does not make the Blaze hook early enough to handle the oil, then do it again, slightly harder, JUST SLIGHTLY. DO this process, until you've reached the stage you need. Stop when you get the reaction you want.
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"Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it."
