BallReviews
General Category => Coverstock Preparation => Topic started by: lefty50 on November 30, 2016, 11:07:52 PM
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I bought a new bottle of Gel Scuff (yes the bottle says scuff)... It arrived today. Simple directions. Shake well, apply thick coat, let it dry for an hour, brush or vacuum residue.
Huh?
I shook it very well, but all that comes out is a gritty white foam (gel?.... not really) that is thick until you rub it on. The consistency on the ball itself is like CnD.. It ends up an hour later as a nearly invisible layer with white grit all over the ball. There's really nothing to brush off, and I'd never ever use the word vacuum in describing it...
Is it really a thick layer that drys to a powder? I'm getting nothing like that at all....
And before you ask... yes, i re-did it, shook it again, etc... This is a foam, not what I'd call a gel like CnD or similar.
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I used it like I use Valentino's Resurrection: I put it on a pad/cloth and rubbed it on, using a spinner. It cleans the ball and puts a dull finish on it. Motiv says 1000 grit, but I think that's when you do it by hand. With a spinner, I'd say the finish was in the 1500 - 2000 grit range.
The use you did was one of the options, as far as I know, to help draw out embedded oil, to some degree. I have not tried that method myself. When I want to draw out oil, I wither use Clean and Dull or my NuBall machine.
It's called "Gel Scuff" but it seems to be like many compounds: a rough abrasive held in suspension in a liquid, usually white. I wouldn't call it a "gel" either; but by severe shaking, I can see it coming out as a foam. I think you may have shaken it a lot; I think I did a little less, just enough to insure that the abrasive is mixed back up, as it was when it was first put into the bottle.
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Is it really a thick layer that drys to a powder? I'm getting nothing like that at all....
And before you ask... yes, i re-did it, shook it again, etc... This is a foam, not what I'd call a gel like CnD or similar.
It's definitely not a gel, but I wouldn't call it a foam either. It's more of a thick liquid paste. If you're seeing it come out as a foam, either the formula significantly changed (doubtful) or you have a defective bottle. I've used Motiv Scuff for years, and double checked by using it on a ball a few minutes ago. No foam.
I've only used Motiv Scuff by hand. When using it as a cleaner/scuffer, I apply a small amount and rub it into the ball with a circular motion. There really isn't enough to leave a noticeable residue layer. However, when you use it as an oil extractor, you apply a much thicker coat and let it sit. it will be visible, and when it dries, you will have a layer of powder to remove.
It's a good product. If you're not seeing what I described, something isn't right.
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I let the bottle settle for a while and tried it again today. I could agree it's a liquid paste, but not thick and gooey. I bit less thick than CnD, but I guess it's probably an ok bottle. I was experimenting last night and put myself in a jam. Gel Scuff on the Scandal after using it to extract oil made the Scandal way too early since it's early anyway, and I've always thought CnD left a ball fairly weak for the first 2-3 games or until sanded, which was true for the Curse I put CnD on before the shift. GameBreaker 2 was close, but not the right choice. All told, I think I'll like the MGS. Will try it as a pure scuffer this weekend.
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I let the bottle settle for a while and tried it again today. I could agree it's a liquid paste, but not thick and gooey. I bit less thick than CnD, but I guess it's probably an ok bottle. I was experimenting last night and put myself in a jam. Gel Scuff on the Scandal after using it to extract oil made the Scandal way too early since it's early anyway, and I've always thought CnD left a ball fairly weak for the first 2-3 games or until sanded, which was true for the Curse I put CnD on before the shift. GameBreaker 2 was close, but not the right choice. All told, I think I'll like the MGS. Will try it as a pure scuffer this weekend.
Steve,
Are you cleaning the ball with a damp towel after cleaning it with C&D?
C&D does leave a residue which is the reason that the original instructions from APP say to clean it with a damp towel. That residue could be the reason for the 2-3 game hitch. The ball should feel VERY tacky after the C&D process.
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Good point Jeff, I'll try that. I remember trying that once in the past, but usually just end up sanding, and then cleaning with Black Magic Rejuvenator. I'll try a dasmp cloth and/or Black Magic without sanding and see what I get. I would rate the tackiness at clean, not way tacky....
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I'm with Jeff. C&D by hand and then a damp cloth is the way to go. C&D even after one set restores original surface and always has dirt appear on a new clean white paper towel and I always use PPE when using cleaners like C&D, Hook-It or any other aggressive cleaner.
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PPE?
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PPE = Personal Protective Equipment. -- JohnP
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Thx John. Sorry should have gave a better definition.
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If you work at my company, PPE would include:
Steel toed shoes - as you could drop the ball
Chemical resistant gloves inside of thick leather gloves - to protect against abrasion AND chemicals
A flame resistant jacket/shirt in case something caught fire
A face shield over top of safety glasses incase of any flying debris
A breathing apparatus because the potential for fumes
And if you are cleaning on the table above the setee area, a harness and fall protection because you could somehow trip over the table and fall further than 6 feet (not too surprising, seeing how much other crap you are being forced to wear)
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A friend of mine in 2015 was using Hook-It in the spray bottle after bowling at the lanes. He cleaned his equipment after bowling at the lanes by hand. Afterwards he didn't wash his hands and inadvertently touched his eye lid and couldn't do an eye wash til he was home. He now has slight vision loss in his right eye. The eye watered for days. Imagine what unprotected skin over time subjected to aggressive chemicals in ball cleaners like Hook-It and C&D can do using them over time.
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That story about Hook-It doesn't surprise me. The chemicals in it are nasty stuff. Still, it is my primary industrial strength ball cleaner. After I use it at the alley, the restroom is my first stop for a through hand cleaning. I just hope I haven't breathed enough in over time to cause respiratory damage. :o
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At the lanes, I clean my stuff after bowling with an "anytime" cleaner just to get the lane oil/dirt off right away. The "before or after" cleaners I save for when I am at home and have immediate access to soap & water and a more controllable environment.
C&D is great stuff, as is Motiv Power Gel Clean (it is supposedly "anytime" but would be too hard to use at the lanes.) I also have the Power Gel Scuff, but rarely use it. I have tried it as an oil absorber and not really noticed any appreciable results. I have also used it as a scouring compound and prefer siaair or abralon pads for that purpose.
Hook-It actually intimidates me. I have it as well. Used it once and it was just so "industrial" that I haven't used it since. It just seems like really dangerous stuff.
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At the lanes, I clean my stuff after bowling with an "anytime" cleaner just to get the lane oil/dirt off right away. The "before or after" cleaners I save for when I am at home and have immediate access to soap & water and a more controllable environment.
C&D is great stuff, as is Motiv Power Gel Clean (it is supposedly "anytime" but would be too hard to use at the lanes.) I also have the Power Gel Scuff, but rarely use it. I have tried it as an oil absorber and not really noticed any appreciable results. I have also used it as a scouring compound and prefer siaair or abralon pads for that purpose.
Hook-It actually intimidates me. I have it as well. Used it once and it was just so "industrial" that I haven't used it since. It just seems like really dangerous stuff.
I agree with your thoughts on using scouring compounds for sanding. You'll get much more uniform results on the spinner using your favorite pads. I do find the compounds useful by hand to clean dull balls, and as a side benefit, help keep the balls dull.
Hook-It is industrial, you just have to be careful with it. Enjoy the bottle and don't be intimidated in using it.
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I'll just add this...though I have thread jacked this and sorry to the OP.
I do as Bowler19525 does use an alcohol based cleaner at the lanes after bowling. My choice is Remedy RX. I do use stronger cleaner both Hook-IT and C&D at home with PPE. You can pick up a box of 7mil latex gloves at Harbor Freight for around $6 box that will last forever. Any cleaner that removes flare lines is strong stuff IMO. Hence the point of PPE....I started using PPE/gloves after my friend experienced this prior to that I did not unless using acetone. I use acetone regularly in my golf clubmaking/fitting business. So, I always have gloves on hand. I also wash my hands thoroughly afterwards. If you want more info. get an SDS (safety data sheet) from any of these products. SDS's should be available from any manufacturer.
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^^ it's worth mentioning that differeny glove material will protect better against some of the more harsh chemicals. Here is a chart for reference:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://amo-csd.lbl.gov/downloads/Chemical%2520Resistance%2520of%2520Gloves.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwjcoJfFw9nQAhUL7IMKHYNzCmkQFggaMAA&usg=AFQjCNHAqXBzsGVvYrlLOFBaBYqPO31lTw&sig2=5uk23j7CdvxqaOy-2X65ZQ