JW, I found the SB pads wear fast. Maybe I put to much pressure, but soon they are smooth no matter what grit I start with.
AB Pads last longer for me but I use a CAB, small side and only 1/3 of the pad at a time. Water flowing to keep the particles washed away. If you say a 2000 shines more than a 4000, then I'd have a guess that you are not using enough water or moving the pad enough, but, I've not seen how you use them ...just a guess.
For me, the shortest lasting is a 4000, 2000 then a 1000 AB Pad. The 180's will last a very long time as long as you use enough water. I have seen videos from Innovative, I think, where they use them dry. Not my way but just goes to show, there's more than one way to skin a cat.
Very seldom do I ever use anything over 1000, to much oil here for mush higher. I will use the 2000 and 4000 pads once they are shot, to clean with or turn the pad over and polish with the sponge side if I use polish on any ball.
If you are saying your SB pads will give you the same grit for how many balls ? You are only getting the AB pad grit on 5 or 6 balls ? My guess would be you need to clean the pads with a small scrub brush to get the particles out of the weave, again, just a guess.
As for me and SB pads, they will wear hole in the area I work with, I adjust and will wear a hole again, that's what I don't use them much but to clean with.
Again, all my observations are a guess as I don't know how you use one or the other. The pads , IMO, are like cars, some like one brand some like another. What ever you feels works best for you is the right one for you.
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az guy aka: R & L Bowlers Pro
rlbowlerspro@cox.net