What grade of Abralon for this situation?

[axslinger]

Recently I was lamenting on how messed up the pattern is where I bowl, in Tempe, AZ. I was getting next to no hook with my Hammer Absolut Curve.

Last night I had it sanded with 2000 Abralon then went and threw it. Whoa! I went from one evil to another. Throwing my normal shot, it was curving and taking out the 7 pin!

I spent 4 games trying to adjust, trying to find a line a I could play and it just ain't happening; I couldn't find a consistent, reliable shot. So, my question is, do I go back to box finish or should I go another grade or two finer? Are there other, finer grades that would be somewhere between box finish and Abralon 2000? Or, could I just throw it on one of those ball polishers for a few minutes?

Thanks!

[bubba809]

polish that bit*h! Then try 3000 or 4000 with and with out polish. That's what great about surface changes...you'll find one that works for you.

**I just read that the Abolute Curve is 500/1500 w/polish. Surprising you got NO hook with this surface. Or maybe your lanes were drier.

I would try 500/1000 w/polish.

[axslinger]

polish that bit*h! Then try 3000 or 4000 with and with out polish. That's what great about surface changes...you'll find one that works for you.

**I just read that the Abolute Curve is 500/1500 w/polish

I would try 500/1000 w/polish.

By "polish it" I assume you mean in a house polisher? Or should I have the pro shop do it? I was thinking of doing a light polish where it is right now, then go from there. Would that be good place to start?

As far as getting no hook, you have to understand this center. I've been doing a little research and have been told they don't properly strip the heads. They water down the solution and the pads are worn out. Any other house and this ball hooks great. Others have also complained about the condition of the lanes. Since I'm gonna be on a league here, I might as well adjust the surface so it's at least a little better and I can get some kind of pocket angle.

[bubba809]

I have a spinner and in my opinion that is 100x better than any house machine or doing this by hand. Yes, the pro shop would do this and you can explain to them exactly what your ball is doing so they can recommend a good surface.

[foreverincamo]

Axeslinger, you can usually buy whatever polish the manufacturer uses when they polish the ball. Those box-styled house polishing machines aren't worth a dang. You can always take your ball to a pro shop and have them polish it. Most places have several brands on hand. The polish helps the ball retain its energy, go further downlane, and then make its move.

[axslinger]

I'll just go to the pro shop and let them polish it based on what it's doing and what it was doing before the refinish. Thanks for all of your input.

[Mike White]

By "polish it" I assume you mean in a house polisher? Or should I have the pro shop do it? I was thinking of doing a light polish where it is right now, then go from there. Would that be good place to start?

As far as getting no hook, you have to understand this center. I've been doing a little research and have been told they don't properly strip the heads. They water down the solution and the pads are worn out. Any other house and this ball hooks great. Others have also complained about the condition of the lanes. Since I'm gonna be on a league here, I might as well adjust the surface so it's at least a little better and I can get some kind of pocket angle.

Under the assumption that your research is discovering the truth, why bowl there?

You are just rewarding their **** poor maintenance with your business.

[RobLV1]

As Mike alluded to, what makes you so certain that the difference in ball reaction is a result of changing the surface rather than the result of a different lane condition that you had for the past couple of weeks? Try this: start with the ball at 1000/4000 in practice. Bring a 2000 and a 3000 abralon pad with you. If it is not hooking enough, go over the 4000 with the 2000. If it now hooks too much, go over the 2000 with the 3000. It is not ideal, but it's certainly a good way to start, and IMHO a better option than polish.

[axslinger]

Ok, to clairify, I am certain that the issue is due to the lane condition. I bowl there because it's close to home and cheap. The other AMF house nearby kicked out all of their leagues. They want to go the "party place/corporate event" route. If I want to bowl without paying an arm and a leg, I'm kind of stuck here. I am simply trying to do what I can to make my ball usable at this house...at least until this short league is done.

I'm having a hard time understanding how polishing/not polishing comes into play. If I'm reading this right, 4000 without polish is going to be more reactive than 1500 with polish, correct? Doesn't polishing negate the affect of the grade of abralon you're using? If you "rough it up" with abralon then polish it out with polish, what is the point? Or doesn't polishing completely smooth it out?

[RobLV1]

Polish/surface is how you control the reaction in the friction/oil. Polish reacts harder in friction, surface gives you more read in the oil. The problem with polish is that it is much more likely to give you an over/under reaction. Personally, I think you are better off with a finer abralon than with polish. Just my opinion.