This user has no status.
This user has no status.
🏆 Top 1% Commenter
Well-Known Member
Well-Known Member
I've experimented a bit on old sheets which were used for outdoor play. I put baby oil on the topsheet as I've seen players to maintain the grip of their chinese tacky topsheets. All my sheets are multiple years old, worn, damaged by UV and oxidized. I've used only one droplet of baby oil and let it fully absorb into the rubber, then cleaned the surface with warm water and a little soap.
V15 Extra: It barely had any effect. The topsheet feels a little softer but the surface stayed mostly slippery. Applied a second droplet the next day, but still unusable for normal play. A bit better than before, on a solid and flat contact it holds the ball enough for blocking. This was probably in the worst condition anyway, I think someone let it outside on the sun.
Fastarc G1: Absolutely Zero effect. I can't feel any difference at all, even after a second treatment.
Hurricane 3 Neo Commercial: This was boosted a few times and probably 5-6 years old. The surface was 100% slippery. After the treatment (two drops at once accidentally) it became grippy again. I replaced it originally because it became too mushy to begin with, now it feels very soft but grabs the ball well and basically playable. It was on an old, amateur slow blade so I tested it by using it for defense against my regular training partner. I could chop pretty consistently, but the spin wasn't too strong. On defender lobs the ball jumped and my training partner could counterloop with it with his backhand. Amazing results, I can imagine how well this works on a less worn rubber.
Dignics05: This was in the best shape but some areas became slippery on it. After treating it it grips the ball like new. Only tried it wihout a partner but it has got great grip and good feeling. Serves were spinny.
V22 Double Extra: Much better than before, but the grip isn't as good as on the Dignics. Still, it was unusable even for outdoors play due to slippage, now it's playable again. Not for normal play though.
Acuda S1: This is the oldest of the bunch, 7 years old if I remember correctly. Drank the oil up like crazy and it's very grippy again, I was totally surprised. Couldn't test it in play yet.
I will update this thread how it is going and try out the method on my current rubbers as the start of the season comes closer.
V15 Extra: It barely had any effect. The topsheet feels a little softer but the surface stayed mostly slippery. Applied a second droplet the next day, but still unusable for normal play. A bit better than before, on a solid and flat contact it holds the ball enough for blocking. This was probably in the worst condition anyway, I think someone let it outside on the sun.
Fastarc G1: Absolutely Zero effect. I can't feel any difference at all, even after a second treatment.
Hurricane 3 Neo Commercial: This was boosted a few times and probably 5-6 years old. The surface was 100% slippery. After the treatment (two drops at once accidentally) it became grippy again. I replaced it originally because it became too mushy to begin with, now it feels very soft but grabs the ball well and basically playable. It was on an old, amateur slow blade so I tested it by using it for defense against my regular training partner. I could chop pretty consistently, but the spin wasn't too strong. On defender lobs the ball jumped and my training partner could counterloop with it with his backhand. Amazing results, I can imagine how well this works on a less worn rubber.
Dignics05: This was in the best shape but some areas became slippery on it. After treating it it grips the ball like new. Only tried it wihout a partner but it has got great grip and good feeling. Serves were spinny.
V22 Double Extra: Much better than before, but the grip isn't as good as on the Dignics. Still, it was unusable even for outdoors play due to slippage, now it's playable again. Not for normal play though.
Acuda S1: This is the oldest of the bunch, 7 years old if I remember correctly. Drank the oil up like crazy and it's very grippy again, I was totally surprised. Couldn't test it in play yet.
I will update this thread how it is going and try out the method on my current rubbers as the start of the season comes closer.
