My Sting was polished, box finish, I say with a gloss. It did not bite at first, took the gray pad to scuff it up and wow, what a difference. For me, a stroker, with the pin above the ring finger, drilling based on my PAP, it wasn't moving for me at first. I have about eight games on it, averaging around 235 with it. It goes a little longer than the Terminator and I only have to move one board in three games. Holds the line well, snaps and explodes the pins on impact.