BallReviews
General Category => Coverstock Preparation => Topic started by: Antec on August 18, 2014, 09:45:02 AM
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I just got into doing surface prep a few months ago. I've been reading everything I get my eyes on about the subject. I sure this has been asked and answered a few times, please if I could get some input.
1. I have a assortment of Abralon pads, but some of my bowling balls call for is 800 grit. The place I get my supplies from doesn't offer a 800 grit for sale, same with 1500 grit. They however have SIAAIR in both those grits. From the way I look at it grit is grit right?
2. Do you folks have a recommendation where the best place to purchase pads?
3. I have seen to mark the back side of pads so you remember how many time they have been used, which I have. I seen a lot recommend about 6, depending on pressure that has been applied. Last question, what is the best way to wash them after use, I've just been rinsing them off with water, is there a better way you would advise?
Thank you in advance for your time and input!
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1. Someone with more technical knowledge is going to have to field this one as far as the difference between abralon and siaair.
2. I get them from a seller on ebay: "bowl300300". $20 for 5 pads and you can specify what grits you want. Most bowling supply sites charge $8-10/pad even at bulk prices. Since I only use them for my personal equipment, I don't go through them enough to buy them in bulk.
3. Only 6 uses seems like a short life span but idk. Depends on the grit I guess since the courser grits tend to smooth out quicker it seems. I usually just rinse them out as well but maybe someone will have a different method.
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Thank you for your response! I guess I should have said in my post that I get my Abralon from Innovative Bowling, same place I bought my spinner for $3 a pad, and they offer SiaAir for $3.50 a pad.
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1. Someone with more technical knowledge is going to have to field this one as far as the difference between abralon and siaair.
There is no real difference in use, Both pads use the Fepa "P" scale
Siaair is aluminum oxide and abralon is silicon carbide.
Siaair pads last longer than abralon when both are used properly.
Note: there is now "P" scale wet/dry paper available. While the backing would be different, it is alternative which can be cheaper
2. I get them from a seller on ebay: "bowl300300". $20 for 5 pads and you can specify what grits you want. Most bowling supply sites charge $8-10/pad even at bulk prices. Since I only use them for my personal equipment, I don't go through them enough to buy them in bulk.
Supergrit.com has some good prices
http://www.supergrit.com/products/products_discs-abralon.asp (http://www.supergrit.com/products/products_discs-abralon.asp)
Abralon
$3.50 / 1
$16.25 / 5
$60.00 / 20
3. Only 6 uses seems like a short life span but idk. Depends on the grit I guess since the courser grits tend to smooth out quicker it seems. I usually just rinse them out as well but maybe someone will have a different method.
this is not wrote in stone, your mileage may vary but...
Abralon pads last about 10 balls and Siaair pads last about 20 balls. (You could then mark them as the next higher grit and use for the same amount then toss them.)
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And Thank You for your response Sir! Would you also recommend just rinsing them with water? Or do you advise an alternative cleaning method?
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And Thank You for your response Sir! Would you also recommend just rinsing them with water? Or do you advise an alternative cleaning method?
Of course you would rinse them out, you don't want buildup in the pad.
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Make sure to check if the grit spec on the ball is Fepa(European) or ANSI/CAMI(American)
A lot of older balls use the ANSI/CAMI spec. I believe Brunswick was also one of the last manufacturers to adopt the use of the Abralon Fepa grit pads.
When it says Abralon or SiaAir it uses Fepa. I think when it says something like 1500 "grit" , a lot of times it is ANSI/CAMI. It could be either though. You would need to check with the manufacturer for clarification.
Check out the grit comparison chart on the lower link. Some good info.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandpaper
http://home.earthlink.net/~litefrozen/downloads/bowling_grit_chart_v2.pdf
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Make sure to check if the grit spec on the ball is Fepa(European) or ANSI/CAMI(American)
A lot of older balls use the ANSI/CAMI spec. I believe Brunswick was also one of the last manufacturers to adopt the use of the Abralon Fepa grit pads.
When it says Abralon or SiaAir it uses Fepa. I think when it says something like 1500 "grit" , a lot of times it is ANSI/CAMI. It could be either though. You would need to check with the manufacturer for clarification.
Check out the grit comparison chart on the lower link. Some good info.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandpaper
http://home.earthlink.net/~litefrozen/downloads/bowling_grit_chart_v2.pdf
I wish bowling web sites would follow normally sanding/abrasive conventions.
If you're specifying ANSI standards, nothing precedes the grit level; e.g. 360 grit.
If you're specifying FEPA standards, a "P" precedes the grit level, e.g. P1500 grit.
If you don't do this, you leave yourself wide open for trouble and misinterpretation!!! and the user remains confused.
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Thanks for the info! All my balls are from 2013/2014, just started back bowling this past spring, last league was 1998. So really this is all new to me, and just trying to learn. When J_w73 said 1500 "grit", a lot of time it is ANSI/CAMI. The ball in question there is a Hammer Amp Up, Hammers website said it is 1500 Abranet. That's the one I was wondering if I could use the 1500 SiaAir pad for? Sorry forgot that part in my original post.
Once again thank you all for your time and help.
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Abranet uses the FEPA standard just like Abralon. Abranet discs don't have the foam backing. They appear to be mesh or "net" like. The weave varies depending on how course or fine the grit rating is.
Abralon may be the same thing stuck to a piece of foam. I don't know.
check this out. I don't know how I found it but it looks like it is the info you are looking for
http://www.abralonpads.com/Products/40-powerhouse-abranet-soft.aspx
A revolutionary new finishing process at Ebonite International, includes a 1500 grit step, using the 1500 grit Abranet® pads. In order to refinish bowling balls to factory specs.
Developed from Aluminum Oxide with a nylon backing, Abranet® pads will remove more stock from the ball, with less damage to the surface vs. conventional paper. Aluminum Oxide particles make the Abranet® pads more durable and give a less smooth finish than the Abralon® pads. The thin nylon backing makes the Abranet® pad more aggressive, so this product should only be used on a tabletop ball spinner. Applied by hand using the Abranet® Sanding GlovesTM, you’ll have that ball back to its factory finish in no time, prolonging the life of the ball!
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That's good stuff, I think that is what I have been looking for, thank you. I will be placing a order in the morning. Before even posting this subject I called Hammer two days ago to see what they said, left a message in someone mailbox, still haven't got a call back! Thanks again.
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as far as what the manufacturer posts as its grit process.
i will put mine on the spinner before even throwing it.
that way i can duplicate the surface that works for me
IMO, there isnt any difference you will be able to see at 800 vs 1000 grit pad
i use 500,1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 (bought a few 1500)
thats plenty to pick from.
i use a wire brush to clean my pads, works pretty well
dont be afraid to try different surfaces, the OBB surface is pretty much a starting point as far as im concerned
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Stop drinking the Kool-Aid and just by a quality wet/dry sandpaper for 1/10 the cost.
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Stop drinking the Kool-Aid and just by a quality wet/dry sandpaper for 1/10 the cost.
It's been many (many) years since I've used wet/dry sandpaper. Is there really no effective difference from using Abralon??
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Stop drinking the Kool-Aid and just by a quality wet/dry sandpaper for 1/10 the cost.
It's been many (many) years since I've used wet/dry sandpaper. Is there really no effective difference from using Abralon??
If you're really, really careful and use a wet/damp kitchen sponge as a backing and a good deal of water from a spray bottle, it can be as effective as Abralon and SiaAir and Neat pads. BUT, it's far too easy to put a deep scratch in the ball, unless you are very careful. The only wet/dry sandpaper I still use is a 2000 grit (FEPA) 8 micron paper from Acme Auto Finishes called Top Glass Micro-Finishing sheets.
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You are never going to duplicate a factory surface with a spinner. Why use pads that cost $3 or $4 each just to sand a ball. If the paper is good enough to wet sand paint on a car it is more than good enough to get an acceptable surface on a bowling ball.
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You are never going to duplicate a factory surface with a spinner. Why use pads that cost $3 or $4 each just to sand a ball. If the paper is good enough to wet sand paint on a car it is more than good enough to get an acceptable surface on a bowling ball.
Mike,
I think there are several reasons why people use Abralon, Siaair and Neat pads over wet/dry sandpaper.
1. The Manufacturers seem to have converted to these devices for the most part as their stock surfaces.
2. They are much easier and safer to use than wet/dry sandpaper. Their size and foam backing make them almost idiot proof. Ive seen far too many pro shops who are experienced in finishing balls, no less inexperienced bowlers use wet/dry sandpaper until there was literally nothing left of the paper. By that time, who knows what the final finish was. Of course, that doesn't stop people from doing the same thing with the pads. An idiot is an idiot.
2B. These pads, although they can be very expensive, are soooo easy to use wet or dry.
3. We don't necessarily all need (or want) to replicate the factory finish. I doubt if the factory finish is the best finish for most people with most balls, even if they say they want it. Personally, I'll often just try the ball at the factory finish just to see what the reactions is, but I rarely leave it there. Since I'm rev dominant, small changes to the surface can mean more to me than for a matched or a speed dominant player.
I think car surfaces are much more sensitive to appearance and the final sanding than bowling balls are. Thankfully I haven't had to sand much of any of last few new cars, but then I'm not in the detailing or car painting business. That said, I have used Trizact to remove scratches from windshield.
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People use these products because they have been marketed to them by bowling ball manufacturers who are resellers of these products.
The even larger waste of money is the pro shops I see that used them to do plug work because it is easier to add some pads onto your distributor's order than to stop and buy some supplies once or twice a year.
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Abralon to resurface? No way. Easiest way to resurface after plug job is is Haus with diamond wheels.
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Abralon to resurface? No way. Easiest way to resurface after plug job is is Haus with diamond wheels.
What do you use after the diamond wheel?
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People use these products because they have been marketed to them by bowling ball manufacturers who are resellers of these products.
Your point is well taken that sandpaper will get the job done. But I personally wouldn't make cost an issue. I'm paying $2.30 for a Siiair pad. I get at least 10 uses per pad, which equates to about 23 cents per use. I'm not going to lose sleep over that amount of money.