Is there much of a difference in reaction from the 2 ? Lets say a polished Grudge solid and a Grudge Pearl ? That would be trying to polish the solid as close to the pearl out of box as possible.
There are those that say there is no difference between Solids, Hybrids and Pearl except surface texture.
Example:
It's not a coincidence that solids come with a lot of surface, and pearls come with polish. It's done intentionally to encourage bowlers to buy two (or three) versions of the same ball because they don't understand that they really are the same. Marketing!
But this on the other hand is still debatable.
It's assuming that both versions of a balls coverstock (Solid & Pearl) are made exactly the same, with the only difference being surface texture.
Pearls typically have a additive to the base resin that make them pearls, Either liquid pearl (mother of pearl) which tends to add length or powdered pearl which affects the shape of the breakpoint.
If there's a additive to the base resin of one ball such as these, then they are no longer exactly same cover as the solid.
In other discussions of this I've read over time, Given those additives most seem to agree that if you use the same surface texture on both the pearl and the solid, the pearl will still go longer (given the same drill pattern etc. are used).
Basically IMO
you can take a Pearl and sand it and yes make it act more like a solid, But you can't polish a solid and turn it totally into a pearl.