Author Topic: Restore OOB finish to Raid ? (Read 4181 times)

Neptune66 · « **on:** March 29, 2008, 01:58:59 PM »

When I first bought my raid a few months ago, I used it for a couple weeks then ---even though happy with it as is--- asked the Pro Shop to dull it down a little so it would hook a smidgen sooner. They did, and although I was also happy with that reaction, I decided I wanted to return to the OOB finish.

Unfortunately, the pro-shop I patronize, does not seem to have the ability (the right equipment or know how) to do it. They shined it up ever so slightly, but I really want the ball to have that sheen it had when it was new. It's partly due to our lanes being a little drier and wanting a tad more length. But it's also cause the ball just looked so much better with the original finish.

Is there anything I can purchase that is capable of restoring the finish by hand? I don't have a spinner and do not want to go to another pro-shop at this time. Nor do I want to fight with this one as they generally do very good work for me in terms of drilling and their pricing is also very fair both for services and equipment.

I just want my Raid to look more like it did when I bought it.

Thanks for any suggestions/ideas.

Edited on 3/29/2008 10:07 PM

Moe · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2008, 11:56:54 PM »

4000 abralon pad, then ebonite factory finish polish. Kinda need a spinner.
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AIM = y2moe99

Neptune66 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2008, 10:06:23 AM »

Ummm.... I did ask for "any" suggestions, but how much does a spinner cost? I'm thinking more than the cost of just buying another Raid.

Maybe I'm wrong and they're very cheap, but I'm really only interested in changing the surface of (or appearance of) this one ball. A spinner would not pay for itself that way.

Gazoo · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2008, 11:02:41 AM »

Moe is correct. Your pro shop lowered the grit so they need to take it back up to 4000 grit and then apply ebonite(called powerhouse now) factory finish to get that deep luster you are looking for. You can order the polish online if they don't have it. Shouldn't charge you more than a few bucks to do this.

Neptune66 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2008, 11:32:35 AM »

When I first had the surface changed by the pro-shop, it only took a few minutes by hand. Even with my limited knowledge of surface changes, I didn't think that was enough time to have altered the grit. Thought they had simply removed the polish. ?

But I'll ask.

Neptune66 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2008, 10:37:01 PM »

Hmmmm...

I didn't ask whether or not they had changed the grit, but did inquire if the finish could be restored to OOB and they said yes. But they kind of asked why I wanted to change the surface if I was happy with the reaction now.

Well... when I first had the surface dulled down, I was intending to use the ball as a more versatile piece for a wider range of conditions, so I wanted it to get into a roll a little earlier. But since then, I have acquired a couple of heavier oil balls, and that's why I am considering reverting back to OOB finish on the Raid.

Bad move or reasonable?

Gazoo · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2008, 08:33:56 AM »

The Raid is a great ball on medium conditions and can handle heavier volumes depending on ones rev rate. If you have bought some to handle those heavier volumes then it seems reasonable to take the Raid back to OOB to handle those medium conditions and maybe med-dry once again depending on rev rate.

Neptune66 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2008, 10:11:57 PM »

Am now thinking I'll hold off changing the surface in any way until after this Fall-Winter League Season concludes in a few weeks. But thank you for re-assuring me that it's not outrageous to want to experiment with it then.

Neptune66 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2008, 07:04:15 PM »

Ok... it's not officially end of season, but all but one of my teams is eliminated from contention (and I don't use the Raid in the house where my roll-off will be in two weeks), so today I thought I'd ask the Pro-Shop to put it back to OOB surface and they said they can't. That it would be close but never look like it did OOB.

I find that hard to believe, and am kind of annoyed, but then again... not really surprised either.

I guess my question/post, then, should be re-worded somewhat to .... "CAN the Raid be restored to OOB finish"? If yes, I'll ask another shop to do it for me. If not, I'll just chalk it up to experience and leave the ball as it is.

Gazoo · « **Reply #9 on:** April 06, 2008, 08:13:53 PM »

YES! Take it somewhere else(run forest run!) Just make sure they put the coverstock at 4000 grit and then apply Ebonite/Powerhouse factory finish.

hammermike2000 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 06, 2008, 08:23:25 PM »

Wow. They can't hit the ball with 4000 and then polish it? Some pro shop, eh?
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BOWL N.C. TOUGH SHOTS TOUR

J_Mac · « **Reply #11 on:** April 06, 2008, 08:36:51 PM »

quote:
YES! Take it somewhere else(run forest run!) Just make sure they put the coverstock at 4000 grit and then apply Ebonite/Powerhouse factory finish.

NO!

Unless they have the EXACT same setup as the factory, NOTHING really comes close to factory OOB. The best anyone can do is come close, and the shop that you go to probably knows that.

Maybe they don't have Abralon, which is a real disservice to their customers. If that's the case, I'd take it elsewhere to have it repolished, just remember that it's not going to look exactly the same as it did OOB.

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"A word to the wise ain't necessary -- it's the stupid ones that need the advice." Bill Cosby
"Never argue with an idiot. They bring you down to their level and beat you with experience."

Neptune66 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 06, 2008, 09:07:49 PM »

I know it won't look exactly like new .... it has several dings and scratches...normal wear and tear. And it's not that dull now.

But if you compare the way it looks now to a new Raid, it's clearly a different surface.

One reason I would like to return it to OOB (or just close) is that it is apparently much easier to dull down the surface ---at least in the case of this ball.

I have never encountered that before. Several years ago, for instance, I had my Storm El-Nino X-it dulled down, then changed my mind and had it polished, then changed it back again. Was no biggey.

Is the surface of the Raid that unique? I LOVE the ball. And the reaction I get IS great ---for me. But I'm still trying to determine if it's just that my favorite Pro Shop just isn't equipped to do it (and yes... I am still loyal to them...despite this one issue), or if there really is something about this ball that makes it tougher to get it shined up to at least near OOB condition.

What if I just buy the Powerhouse cleaner (recommended earlier here) and apply it by hand (no spinner). Would it be a waste of effort, or cause any damage? Or just not be as aesthetically pleasing as a professional job?

Edited on 4/6/2008 9:08 PM

Gazoo · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2008, 08:24:42 AM »

quote:
quote:
YES! Take it somewhere else(run forest run!) Just make sure they put the coverstock at 4000 grit and then apply Ebonite/Powerhouse factory finish.

NO!

Unless they have the EXACT same setup as the factory, NOTHING really comes close to factory OOB. The best anyone can do is come close, and the shop that you go to probably knows that.

Maybe they don't have Abralon, which is a real disservice to their customers. If that's the case, I'd take it elsewhere to have it repolished, just remember that it's not going to look exactly the same as it did OOB.

--------------------
"A word to the wise ain't necessary -- it's the stupid ones that need the advice." Bill Cosby
"Never argue with an idiot. They bring you down to their level and beat you with experience."

I agree and disagree(if one can do that) If done properly, it will be close enough where it's hard to tell the difference. In this situation I have a feeling that they took the polish off with green scotchbrite which lowered the grit and probably use Storm Reacta Shine to polish it back up which will surely not give it the that luster shine of the Powerhouse Factory finish. All polish is not created equal. Just MHO.

Neptune66 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2008, 07:02:09 PM »

Ok. So... if I buy the Powerhouse product and apply it with a clean cloth (in same manner in which I wipe off the dirt and oil after each session), will I be able to restore the finish somewhat? Or does it need to have the surface adjusted professionally first?

To be honest ---even if it will make me appear silly --- I used the new RAID that I bought recently (it's still at OOB surface), and I MAY decide it's best not to try to return the older one to OOB afterall. It's more the [apparent] inability to do so that bothers me more than the anything being wrong with the duller or lower grit surface.

That, and the fact that I changed the surface on the original a little too soon after not that many games. It's not that I think the OOB surface is necessarily superior. It's the fact that I altered it without a more thorough evaluation period.

Of course.... if it were as easy as it SHOULD have been to return to OOB surface (or at least close to it), I wouldn't feel that way.

Sorry for the rambling.

Author Topic: Restore OOB finish to Raid ? (Read 4181 times)

Neptune66

Restore OOB finish to Raid ?

Moe

Re: Restore OOB finish to Raid ?

Neptune66

Re: Restore OOB finish to Raid ?

Gazoo

Re: Restore OOB finish to Raid ?

Neptune66

Re: Restore OOB finish to Raid ?

Neptune66

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Gazoo

Re: Restore OOB finish to Raid ?

Neptune66

Re: Restore OOB finish to Raid ?

Neptune66

Re: Restore OOB finish to Raid ?

Gazoo

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hammermike2000

Re: Restore OOB finish to Raid ?

J_Mac

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Neptune66

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Gazoo

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Neptune66

Re: Restore OOB finish to Raid ?