Tips to Restore Tackiness

[Saiph]

So I've been using Loki Rxton 9 and 7 for a month already, and I feel like the rubbers were only mild tacky the first time I used it. Now it's like the tack has completely gone, I can slide my finger on the surface. I compared it with my H3 that has seen better days, and even my H3 still stopped my finger on certain angle. I've been taking good care of my bat. Put non sticky film on them, put the racket on a case, the usual. I have a feeling that the cleaner I've been using is causing this. I always used water to clean my H3 before.

Also attaching a video where I tested dropping a ball. On H3, it could stop on the rubber surface, while on R9 it just slid away.

So as the title says, I humbly ask the gurus and shifus here, is there any way I can redeem my Rxtons back? The humidity here is also not helping. Really struggling to lift backspin balls on several occasions

 

[latej]

is there any way I can redeem my Rxtons back?

I'm using a plastic foil like that. You need to leave as little air in there as possible, while applying. On the photo I didn't quite try to optimize, so you also see the differences in different areas. You'll learn this, it's easy. Then also, when you let it over night, the small air bubbles can disappear. This helps the tackiness, I can lift the ball.

 

[al_111]

View attachment 37880

I'm using a plastic foil like that. You need to leave as little air in there as possible, while applying. On the photo I didn't quite try to optimize, so you also see the differences in different areas. You'll learn this, it's easy. Then also, when you let it over night, the small air bubbles can disappear. This helps the tackiness, I can lift the ball.

+1
If the protector won't stick due to lost tackiness, one can put a few drops of water on the topsheet and use rubber roller to apply the protector. This way you're getting a weakish initially, but completely air-free adhesion. Once water evaporates in about a day, the protector stays firmly in place, and airtight adhesion allows to restore/increase tackiness over time.

 

[Tyce]

+1
If the protector won't stick due to lost tackiness, one can put a few drops of water on the topsheet and use rubber roller to apply the protector. This way you're getting a weakish initially, but completely air-free adhesion. Once water evaporates in about a day, the protector stays firmly in place, and airtight adhesion allows to restore/increase tackiness over time.

Mind you, if the water has too much minerals in it, the sheet will look like crap. Best to clean with breath and immediately put the sheet on while it's still damp.

 

[al_111]

Mind you, if the water has too much minerals in it, the sheet will look like crap. Best to clean with breath and immediately put the sheet on while it's still damp.

It probably depends on how much "too much" is 😉 I have not had such a problem despite not-so-soft tap water in my area - all in all, only 1-2 drops of water are actually left on the topsheet after one rolls the protector on.
Using breath moisture is safe, convenient, and will work in most cases. Adding some water will still help if it's not enough and the protector just won't stick properly because the tackiness is completely lost, pips are significantly protruding, protector sheet is a bit uneven at the edges, etc. (If mineralization is a real issue, one can use boiled/distilled/reverse osmosis water).
BTW, using racket press also helps in such difficult cases - anyway, the goal is to get an air-free seal.

 

[lodro]

I let the water dry before I fit the plastic protectors. I use the same rolling stick to apply them as I use to roll on the rubber after gluing them on the blade. Works for me and my rubbers are all sticky and stay sticky.

 

[Saiph]

Okay thanks guys. I'll be back using water to clean then. Let's see if the tack returns. I've actually been using plastic foils already, but I guess the cleaner makes the rubber surface a bit oily and thus hides the tacky feature.

 

[Lazer]

I let the water dry before I fit the plastic protectors. I use the same rolling stick to apply them as I use to roll on the rubber after gluing them on the blade. Works for me and my rubbers are all sticky and stay sticky.

+1

This is the way I do it to, Attach the sheet as soon as the rubber looks dry, but in reality there is a thin thin layer of vapor
left... And also press use your fingers to squeeze the air out, from center outwards....

Cheers
L-zr