Dave,...I have a spinner so I've done a lot of experimenting, and here's what I have found that works best FOR ME on the conditions I see most.
I gone to using Abralon pads exclusively, 1000-2000-4000,...and no polishes, too me polish gives me a false surface and tends to track-up and wear off. Also polished balls tend to give too many over-under reads.
1000: balls that I want to arc and read the entire lane,..usually balls with pin to pap in the 3-4" range.
2000: this has become my favorite, most of my benchmark balls have this. This surface clears the fronts with ease,..and will still read the dry backs and track without over reacting. I can usually stay with this surface longer, while moving or chasing the oil line/track.
4000: when I need length, have to go deep, OR want to go up the outside this surface is great,..I usually prep to 1000, and then go up with the 4000,..this really shines the surface up nicely,..the good thing about this is the surface doesn't loose it's look like polish.
When I prepare a ball, I do 4 sides with lots of water and keep the pads rinsed out a bunch, top-bottom-left-right, then when I get done with that,..I take a clean terry-cloth and wet buff the surface, to me it kinda sets the surface, it cleans it real good, and gives me the look I want,..but that's just me.
What works for me may not work for everyone,..but I think that surface plays the biggest part in ball reaction,..you have to learn to put the right surface on the right ball, that's drilled right, for the right reaction,...simple right.
