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Author Topic: More polish questions  (Read 3702 times)

Michbowler

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More polish questions
« on: January 02, 2008, 10:17:29 AM »
Bought myself a spinner a little while ago and am stocking up on some goodies.

I picked up some different polishes, they are....

1. Ebonite Powerhouse factory finish
2. Powerhouse Magic Shine
3. Storm Xtra Shine
4. Brunswick Rough Buff

Already have the 5. Brunswick Factory High Gloss finish.

Is there any difference between the (1) and (3) and (5) polishes.

And what would be the difference between (1) and (2)?  

I know the Storm polish is supposed to shine up to 3500 grit, is that pretty much what (1,2 and 5) are gonna do?

Thanks.


 

charlest

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Re: More polish questions
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2008, 06:58:10 PM »
quote:
Bought myself a spinner a little while ago and am stocking up on some goodies.

I picked up some different polishes, they are....

1. Ebonite Powerhouse factory finish
2. Powerhouse Magic Shine
3. Storm Xtra Shine
4. Brunswick Rough Buff

Already have the 5. Brunswick Factory High Gloss finish.
Is there any difference between the (1) and (3) and (5) polishes.

And what would be the difference between (1) and (2)?  

I know the Storm polish is supposed to shine up to 3500 grit, is that pretty much what (1,2 and 5) are gonna do?




2. Magic Shine and 5. B'wick polish have no abrasive in them. SO the grit level of the ball to which you apply them, stays the same. The length depends on how hard you press, for how long it spent on the spinner and how much polish you applied. Minor factors are what you used to apply the polish (sponge, cloth, terry cloth, microfiber, etc), whether the applicator was wet before you put the polish on it (this can make a difference; it's almost needed with Magic SHine.)

1. Powerhouse Factory finish and 3. Xtra Shine have abrasive in it. Disregard the 3500 number because we have no way to measure when you go there. So the grit level of the ball being polished will change, again depending on the same factors described above, plus the level of shine and the amount of length produced will vary acording to the same factors.

You have 2 ways to learn how much of those 3 "ingredients" to use. One, is to compare your working ball with the same ball as it came out of the box. Two is to take the working ball to whatever degree your eye and hand have learned through experience. Over time, you will learn what works, what the minimum sanding grit is for any polish to be effective (Powerhouse needs 800 grit as the lowest; I couldshine a 600 grit ball with Powerhouse Fcatory Finish, but I last used it 5 years ago. It could have changed.), and what is best for you or for particular coverstock.

By the way, when you first start out, since you have many brands, I'd suggest first using the brand that goes with that manufacturer's coverstocks. It'll get you on board the easiest way. Later on, you can try different polish on other brands of coverstocks.

I find it easiest (not necessarily best) to sand a ball close to where I think it should be, for my purposes, then use an abrasive-free polish. This is good because if the ball hooks too early or too late, you know exactly what the next sanding step should be, and then you can just apply the same amount of polish.

Once you get a feel for the polishes, you can apply the abrasive polishes to known sanding levels, with, let's say 3 levels of amounts: low shine, medium hshine and high gloss, for the sake of argument. Then you can see where they take the ball, once you bowl with it as a test.

FYI I love Xtra Shine as it seem easy to take a ball to some desired level very easily.

ROugh Buff, while it is called a polish by B'wick, is really a rubbing compound that smoothes out a surface VERY rapidly as it is VERY aggressive. Note that most B'wick balls using Rough Buff start out at 220 grit which is extraordinarily coarse for bowling. Applying RB smoothes it out to approximately the equivalent of 2000 grit, as if the ball had ONLY been sanded to 2000 grit. You can of course sand a ball to 600 grit and use a light dose of RB.

There are all sort of options, virtually an unlimited number of them, once you've got some sanding materials and all these polishes in your hand.

Have fun!
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Michbowler

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Re: More polish questions
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2008, 09:10:45 PM »
Thanks so much, Charlest....

I have abralon pads from 500-4000 and sandpaper from 300-600, green and white scotch pads, Legends/Lane Masters cleaner, Track clean and tacky and some Advanced Bowling Products Reaction Clean and Dull (don't think they're around anymore).  I'm ready to go.

I haven't toyed much with the polish yet, as my recent house shot hasn't been very friendly for anything I have with a polished surface (red zone, sidewinder and Epic Battle not making the turn) so I've been hitting them with different abralon pads and leaving them dull with better results, especially a recently rejuvenated (dishwasher detergent in pail technique) Black Widow solid I hit with a green scotch pad dampened with the Clean and Dull.

I'm hoping to learn what finishes to hit with the polish to get me some good back end out of my equipment.  

Again, I appreciate your input and welcome anyone else's opinions.  Thanks.

charlest

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Re: More polish questions
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2008, 09:37:12 PM »
I have done polishes a bit.
Last 2 - 3 - 4 months, also been playing with 2000 grit Abralon, 3000 grit Trizact, and 4000 grit Abralon on solids, particles, pearls and everything. Interesting results. Some work, some work less well, some don't.
--------------------
"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Unofficial Ballreviews.com FAQ
"None are so blind as those who will not see."