Let's see if I can do this some justice.
Anyone can boost. Most rubbers will respond to booster oil. But not all will respond well to it.
When I used to use H3 4-5 years ago, I had to boost it over and over again. Every few weeks to a month, I felt the need to reboost.
Part of why I started using H3 is because I figured, it lasts longer and is a great value given how long it can last. A large part of why I stopped using H3 is because of how much of a hassle boosting it regularly was. It is not the only reason I stopped using H3. But it was a large factor. I wanted to be able to glue rubbers on and leave them till I was ready to put on my next rubbers.
So, anyone can boost. Most rubbers can be boosted. Rubbers like tensor rubbers from ESN don't need it. But their play is still generally enhanced by boosting. Nothing bad happens if you try it. But where it may be more important is in higher levels of competition where it is also supposed to be against the rules.
I have a friend who is
2300-2400 (USATT rating) who boosts the heck out of his rubbers. The rubbers on his racket always feel pretty amazing. He does it because he wants an edge in tournament play. He can definitely handle the effect.
For many of us though, it is not really that important.
I like Ilia's method. He uses factory boosted rubbers. When the boost wears off and they are getting worn, he reboosts to get something close to the original feel of the rubber back.
But the idea of boosting is that you get a little more speed, more spin and more control all at the same time. So, theoretically speaking, it might be okay for any player to try.
That being said, in 1991, I found this club and played for a few months there. I really sucked. And everyone at the club was so good. They were all speeed gluing. Boosting is something that tries to replicate the speed glue effect. So, all these guys were speed gluing and they told me I should try it. They got me to seal my blade so it was set for speed gluing. Then I used the glue.
I remember the first time, being amazed that the rubbers no longer fit my racket. They were hanging over the edge by almost a centimeter on all sides. When I hit with the racket it was like an alien being. Man it felt amazing. Wow. I still can remember how alive the rubber felt. But, frick my racket was way to fast.
Three days later I was glad I had not cut the rubber to fit my racket after the speed glue. Because in that time, they had shrunk back to there original size. With speed glue the effect lasts about 12-18 hours. With booster oils, the effect is not as dramatic, but it lasts for longer: 2-4 weeks; sometimes longer. I have my doubts about the people who feel it lasts longer though. I think they just get used to the slowly diminished boost effect.
So, to sum up the points I've made, many of which Airoc made as well:
1) "Who would I recommend boosting to?"
Anyone can try it. It may be more useful to a more advanced player. But anyone can try. For me it felt great even when I couldn't handle it. [emoji2] So it can be fun to try even though it is a hassle.
2) "What rubbers are best when boosted, hard sponge or soft sponge?"
I remember there was one Joola rubber I came across in the early days of tensor rubbers that was messed up by boosting. I think it was Joola Express One and/or Two. All other rubbers I have tried boosting, boosting worked. Most sponges absorb the oil and are expanded by it. It is possible that someone could use a different booster oil on Joola Express and have good results.
Rubbers like H3 are worth boosting. They were designed to be boosted and play much MUCH better when boosted well. But pretty much any rubber can be boosted.
3) "Im interested in trying it out but afraid that my racket will be to fast and uncontrollable."
It is hard to say. Based on your control in the pancake drill in NextLevel's giveaway competition, you probably can handle boosting. You also can boost with one layer, test it out, if you want more, add another layer, test it out, and if you want more, add the third layer. So, you can proceed cautiously and find the right amount of boost for you.
But it is important to know: YOU DON'T NEED IT! If you do it, it is because you are experimenting. Feel free. Go for it.
Here is how it has been explained to me: a) Falco is okay and it is inexpensive; b) DianChi is much better, but more than twice the price; c) Haifu SeaMoon is a small but noticeable amount better than DianChi and a little more expensive; d) Haifu Oil is triple the price of SeaMoon and way better. [emoji2]
That info came mostly from my high level friend who boosts the heck out of his rubbers. But he is a bit spoiled and he said Falco is garbage. I just know it is not quite like that. And Falco is probably good enough for most of us. [emoji2]
4) "At what point in the rubbers life would you 'boost' it?"
Personal choice. Some people boost right out of the packaging. Some people boost as a measure to make their rubbers last longer. It really is a personal choice.
But it should be known that boosting is officially against the rules even though over 80% of the top pros boost. And perhaps the rule should be changed. So I am not saying this for a judgement on anyone or anything. But just so you guys know, that, technically, boosting is against the rules.
The arguments for or against the rule that bans boosting are for another day. For me, the reason I don't boost, in spite of how good it makes the rubber feel, is the hassle of the whole process.
Hope this info helps.
Sent from The Subterranean Workshop by Telepathy
