Bowling Ball Sanding Pads

[skfboiler]

I currently have sanding pads of the following grits, 500, 2000, and 3000. How long do these last before they need to be replaced?

[bowl1820]

I currently have sanding pads of the following grits, 500, 2000, and 3000. How long do these last before they need to be replaced?

Mo Pinel suggested to use a abralon pad for about 10 balls, then remark the grit to the next smoothest grit. Do 10 more balls with it as the smoother grit, then throw it away.

But a lot depends on the coverstock type and the pressure you use, whether used on a spinner or by hand, wet or dry etc.

If your really heavy handed, you might get only 5-6 balls out of one.

Siaair pads last a bit longer than abralon. Abralon 10, Siaair 20

[skfboiler]

Thanks for the response. I use my 2000 pad the most and I can tell it does not perform like it use to.

[Davidjr113]

It is a long read and you need to be a subscriber, but Bowling This Month had an article by Ken Kasprzak on Surface management in May of 2015. Basically what he found was a 500 grit abralon pad using light pressure sanded a ball to a surface of about 700. Using the same pad a second time achieved a surface of only about 2300. Vacuuming or rinsing the pad did not help much at all

[skfboiler]

It is a long read and you need to be a subscriber, but Bowling This Month had an article by Ken Kasprzak on Surface management in May of 2015. Basically what he found was a 500 grit abralon pad using light pressure sanded a ball to a surface of about 700. Using the same pad a second time achieved a surface of only about 2300. Vacuuming or rinsing the pad did not help much at all
There is something to that. I recently sanded my Timeless with my 2000 pad and it damn near put a shine on the ball, thus the reason for posting this topic.

[jamoke]

It is a long read and you need to be a subscriber, but Bowling This Month had an article by Ken Kasprzak on Surface management in May of 2015. Basically what he found was a 500 grit abralon pad using light pressure sanded a ball to a surface of about 700. Using the same pad a second time achieved a surface of only about 2300. Vacuuming or rinsing the pad did not help much at all

Incredibly enlightening article, thanks for pointing it out. Anyone who uses a spinner should read...

Here's a link:
https://www.bowlingthismonth.com/bowling-tips/surface-management-whats-your-number/

[Eddy]

Mo Pinel suggested to use a abralon pad for about 10 balls, then remark the grit to the next smoothest grit. Do 10 more balls with it as the smoother grit, then throw it away.

But a lot depends on the coverstock type and the pressure you use, whether used on a spinner or by hand, wet or dry etc.

If your really heavy handed, you might get only 5-6 balls out of one.

Siaair pads last a bit longer than abralon. Abralon 10, Siaair 20

He must be using a very special Abralon pad. I got very little use out of my 1000 grit pad before I retired it. I used it maybe 4 times. I used it wet with fairly hard pressure. I might try Siaair pads when I get low on my Abralons, which are about $3 apiece.

[bowl1820]

He must be using a very special Abralon pad. I got very little use out of my 1000 grit pad before I retired it. I used it maybe 4 times. I used it wet with fairly hard pressure. I might try Siaair pads when I get low on my Abralons, which are about $3 apiece.

"with fairly hard pressure." that's the main reason you only got 4 uses.

The More pressure you use the faster they wear out.

[jamoke]

Pads can be had in small bulk for ~$2.40 each. If you get 3 or 4 uses out of a pad, that's 60 or 80 cents per use.
How many times a month do you resurface your ball?

Is this really an area where you want to squeeze a buck?
You probably spend more on ball cleaner / polish.