For example, Roto Grip list the Defiant as 3000 abralon and the Shatter as 1500 + polish. Is that 1500 abralon (P1500) for the Shatter? I know the grit chart below is an estimation, but was wondering if ball companies use ANSI or use the abralon scale when listing covers.
http://home.earthlink.net/~litefrozen/downloads/bowling_grit_chart.pdf
Thanks
I think they all use the FEPA grading standards used by Abralon and Siaair these days. Most sandpaper manufacturers also now use FEPA. You'll see the preceding "P" on almost all sandpaper these days, even those manufactured in the USA. The only CAMI graded abrasives right now are the Scotch-Brite lower level non-woven pads: with the white being the highest at 1200 grit. Even their newest one, the gold pads are graded at 1200+ grit CAMI or P2400+ grit FEPA.
http://www.repaintsupply.com/pd_scotchbrite_clear.cfmDon't forget that it also make a huge difference what kind of polish or compound you use over the P1500 grit base sanding.
Using a very abrasive polish like Brunswick's Factory Finish or Storm's Xtra Shine will get you a very smooth finish and shine, possibly as fine as P4000 or an even higher numerical grit.
Using what is termed a non-abrasive polish, such as Valentino's Snake Oil, will get a finish closer to a P2000 - P3000 grit + a shine. Powerhouse Factory Finish, while not considered a non-abrasive polish, is much less abrasive than the above two from Brunswick and Storm.
In addition, a lot depends on how you polish it: amount of polish, amount of pressure and time spent on the spinner. The range of results varies with the human doing it and what they want from the resulting ball.