Author Topic: Sanding, Abralon, polish questions (Read 2538 times)

thedjs · « **on:** February 21, 2007, 05:44:51 AM »

While I have been bowling for a long time, I am still trying to learn about the different ways to alter the surface on bowling balls. For example, suppose you take a ball that is at say 1,000 grit, then sand it to 600 grit, then put factory polish on it (polish with no grit), what do you have? Would it just be a 600 grit finish with polish or would the polish bring it up some? And, what's the difference between sanding and abralon? Does one do a better job than the other?

If I take a Brunswick Absolute Inferno which is now in box finish, sand it to 800 grit then polish it with factory polish (gloss not rough buff), in theory, would this give the ball more hook, more snap, more or less length, or any of the above? What about if you just sand it to 1,000 grit and leave off the polish?

Any help would be appreciated.

charlest · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2007, 05:21:08 PM »

As far as I have learned:

quote:

While I have been bowling for a long time, I am still trying to learn about the different ways to alter the surface on bowling balls. For example, suppose you take a ball that is at say 1,000 grit, then sand it to 600 grit, then put factory polish on it (polish with no grit), what do you have?

It depends on how much polish you apply, for how long - basically how much shine you apply. You can get a little length or a LOT. Using no abrasive (grit), the underlying finish will THEORETICALLY stay at the grit to which you sanded it.

quote:

Would it just be a 600 grit finish with polish or would the polish bring it up some?
[/qiote]

"bring it up some"?
what does that mean?

[quote}
And, what's the difference between sanding and abralon? Does one do a better job than the other?

If you use wet/dry sandpaper, its abrasive is IDENTCIAL to that of Abralon pads: silicon carbide, a veyr hard mineral.

The difference is abralon pads have a foam backing which holds water nicely. I personally, when I use wet/dry sandpaper, alwasy back it with a wet/damp sponge, simulating the foam backing of Abralon pads. So, for me, they are not that different. Major differences is Abralon has a 4000 grit pad, while (wet/dry)sandpaper has HUGE range of grit from 400 to 2500 grit.

quote:

If I take a Brunswick Absolute Inferno which is now in box finish, sand it to 800 grit then polish it with factory polish (gloss not rough buff), in theory, would this give the ball more hook, more snap, more or less length, or any of the above?

I've done that with a Brunswick pearl; I doubt the AI will be any different. Stock finish is 400 grit plus their gritless polsih. So if you sand it finer and then apply the polish TO THE SAME DEGREE AS THEIR STOCK FINISH, taht is, to get the same degree of shine, then the ball will go longer with a commensurate reduction in overall hook and backend. As you go up in numerical grit level (400 to 600 to 800 to 1000, etc) together with applying the polish, you will get more length, lesshook and less backend, in proportioante amounts. The Inferno/Activator coverstocks being pearls, will be susceptible to "too much" sanding (too fine a level) and at some point, dependent on bowler's release and the oil pattern/amount on which they are used, the ball can be become unusable.

quote:

What about if you just sand it to 1,000 grit and leave off the polish?
Any help would be appreciated.

!000 grit will PROBABLY be earlier with more overall hook than the stock Rough Buff finish. BrunsRich has said that the stock RB finish is ROUGHLY, GENERALLY equivalent (NOT identical) to a 2000 grit matte finish.
--------------------
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

Edited on 2/21/2007 6:19 PM

thedjs · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2007, 09:07:50 PM »

Thanks so much for the information. I want to try some different surfaces on some of my older equipment and this will help a lot.

Author Topic: Sanding, Abralon, polish questions (Read 2538 times)

thedjs

Sanding, Abralon, polish questions

charlest

Re: Sanding, Abralon, polish questions

thedjs

Re: Sanding, Abralon, polish questions