I haven't been comfortable with my ball reaction pretty much all season.  Our house tends to play slick.  I've tried abralon and scotchbrite pads, but it still didn't give me the ball reaction I wanted.

I was chatting with the wife about this and we got to talking about the last time I felt comfortable with the reaction.  The conclusion was the sandpaper was big difference.  

So, I headed down to Schucks auto parts and picked up a variety pack of paper.  I hit my new Momentum Swing with 800 grit and it completely changed my ball reaction and the strength of the ball.  It looked similar in finish to the box surface but didn't act even close to the same.  In box condition, I was sliding 18, hitting 9 to 5 with the Momemtum swing.  After sanding it, I was sliding 22 hitting 11 to 8.  Before the end of practice I was two boards deeper on the approach and lane.(review in the columbia forum)

I don't know what the difference is, but the ball reaction is completely different and overall just better for me.
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--"I see your opinion, I just don''t give a f$%k."

Edited on 3/5/2009 4:34 AM

IMHO - Abralon leaves the same spacing between the peaks and valleys as wet/dry sandpaper, but the peaks and valleys aren't as deep with abralon...

Andrew,

Do you know if the sandpaper is 800 grit or P800 grit?
Many current sandpapers use the "P" or FEPA rating system.

It ususally indicates that on the back. P800 grit is about 400 grit US. So there could a big difference in the surface of the ball. If you have high ball speed, that difference could what you need.

(Your profile says 17 mph Quibica. Quibica usually measures at the back end of the lane. 17 mph at the backend is pretty fast. So you may need more surface than you've been getting.)

FWIW:
800 grit is equivalent to the light grey nylon pad.
400 grit is roughly equivalent to the maroon nylon pad.

Just a thought. ANd congratulations.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

Edited on 3/4/2009 7:16 PM

Charlest, thanks for the info.  I don't have the paper in front of me, but I'm gonna guess it is P800.  

Either way, the reaction is mucho better and the ball is not burning up.  I shot 805 for the last 3 games tonight in our scratch league.  I'll probably use the scotchbrite/abralon pads when I plan on polishing the ball.

I updated my profile as well.  I changed a few things and my ball speed appears to be alittle lower but it could just be the ball hooking more thru the "trap".  Last night, my ball speed was in the 15.5 to 16 range.
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--"I see your opinion, I just don't give a f$%k."

Edited on 3/5/2009 4:37 AM

Lon,

Here's P1500, P2000 and P2500 grit:
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=11004&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=1217&iSubCat=1225&iProductID=11004

You can also get a bunch at www.supergrit.com
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

charlest, then am I correct in my understanding that these "P" paper grits would be comparable to the grits called out by ball manufactures?  I know that most of them use abralon instead of paper, but these would be approx the same grit for quite abit less money.

Thanks again.