Pros using silcone spray on their strings

[ThePro101]

Originally Posted by treo

Maybe the real reason some pros switch racquets after several games is because the silicone spray has worn off.

You could be onto something here...

[dominikk1985]

I think that might work.

you'd think that a string with more grip gives you more spin but studies have shown that the sliding of the strings causes the extra spin.

poly actually is a primitive material that doesn't give you much power or elasticity but due to it's slickness it generates a ton of spin.

[heartman]

Headsup on the use of WD40 - it's a petroleum-based solvent that will do a real number on your strings if you use it, and maybe take the paint off your racquet as well. Stinks to high heaven as well.

Silicone spray is silicone spray - an synthetic lubricant that is manufactured without petroleum. There's a huge difference - silicone spray shouldn't hurt your strings or racquets.

[martini1]

deleted 10 char

[get it in]

Originally Posted by Bartelby

A pitcher is tampering with the ball. Silicone has nothing to do with the ball. Both players share the ball, not the racquet, so there is a big difference.

In baseball, both players share the ball, but pine tar is illegal to use on a bat.

[zcarzach]

Originally Posted by get it in

In baseball, both players share the ball, but pine tar is illegal to use on a bat.

Pine tar isn't illegal to use on a bat, you just can't have it more than 18 inches up the handle. Never mind me, I'm just being pedantic.

[SystemicAnomaly]

Originally Posted by CDestroyer

If Nadal uses silicon spray and it does enhance spin I wouldn't be suprised. It would just be another way that he cheats in order to win. Similar to a steroid filled home run hitter in baseball. For me it would invalidate the narrow based major wins that he does have.

The incessant bashing of Nadal and others by some posters is really tiresome and juvenile. This spray is not banned -- so it is NOT cheating.

[Larrysümmers]

the windshield wiper follow through generates more RPMS than the classic over the shoulder. ban the WW follow through!!

[daved]

Re the earlier posts re rec players not being able to tell the difference or make the most of increased spin from changing strings, that's bunk.

I play 3.5/4.0 singles. I'm old (47) and no monster (155#) but I have good racquet head acceleration and my baseline game is based on heavy, defensive spin.

I play with a POG OS, very open pattern.

I have strung this racquet with full gut, full multi, full poly and just about every hybrid choice imaginable, at every tension imaginable. After 6 months of syngut mains and poly crosses at around 50#, I was missing spin and went back to full poly at 45#.

I have significantly more spin with this setup. I see it and my regular opponents comment on it without me mentioning the change.

[topseed]

I tried using a pure silicone lubricant that I bought from a hardware earlier today on my gosen sg's. It worked in wonders! I felt more spin is generated and the feel on a synthetic gut is like you are using a poly string. I used to straighten the string bed on change overs. But now with silicone lubricant, no more straightening of the string bed. Plus it gives you more spin on the ball! Kenji Okimoto is right on concluding that lubricating the strings increases spin.

[dr. godmode]

Anything that makes Nadal beat Federer should be banned...

lol

[daved]

Originally Posted by dr. godmode

Anything that makes Nadal beat Federer should be banned...

lol

Yeah, ban anything that amplifies spin, 'cos Federer hits it dead flat all the time!

[kalic]

Sometimes I use Nivea baby oil It definitely prolongs string life, brings some life to dead/old strings, but I did not noticed extra spin... anyway I don't need it...

[klementine79]

Well, put a skirt on me and call me Shirley!!!!

It works!!!!

Best part is, NO MORE POLYS FOR ME. Applied the silicone spray, as Bud directed, on my freshly strung Nrg2/POSG hybrid set-up, let it sit overnight and string movement is non-existent. Opponent's comments (and my own observations) verify, there is a noticeable amount of spin being imparted on the ball as compared to the same non-sprayed set-up.

[dman72]

I've been chap sticking my syn gut jobs and string movement has been nil. I may have to move on to silicone.

If the slippery string thing=spin is correct, this is both a revolution and a huge cost savings, because it should prolong string life and make cheap nylon and syn gut more attractive. I prefer the feel of synth gut over anything except gut, but after a few hours having to adjust strings drives you nuts.

[sundaypunch]

Originally Posted by get it in

In baseball, both players share the ball, but pine tar is illegal to use on a bat.

Probably the best analogy would be a "corked" bat in baseball which is illegal. Of course, silicone on your strings isn't illegal (yet).

[mikeler]

I'm a little afraid to test this out on a new string job. Would it work on a string job that is a few hours away from breakage?

[jmnk]

yap, now i know.
1. pros sticks - check.
2. full bed poly at high 60 pounds - check
3. lead on top, and silicone in the handle - check
4. swingweight adjusted for wearing the sweatband - check
5. brand matching of shoes and shirt - check
6. brand matching rackets and a bag - check
7. latest babolat dampeners for hotter days, and sampras-like dampeners (but pre-2009 only) for colder days - check and check.
8. stringing using L-TEC/JET Method – check

still have not seen my play level approaching pros.

But now I know - I WAS MISSING SILICONE SPRAY ON THE STRINGS!!!

[dgoran]

Originally Posted by jmnk

yap, now i know.
1. pros sticks - check.
2. full bed poly at high 60 pounds - check
3. lead on top, and silicone in the handle - check
4. swingweight adjusted for wearing the sweatband - check
5. brand matching of shoes and shirt - check
6. brand matching rackets and a bag - check
7. latest babolat dampeners for hotter days, and sampras-like dampeners (but pre-2009 only) for colder days - check and check.
8. stringing using L-TEC/JET Method – check

still have not seen my play level approaching pros.

But now I know - I WAS MISSING SILICONE SPRAY ON THE STRINGS!!!

Love it you made my day

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by Hi I'm Ray

I neither agree nor disagree with the proposed ban. Some people have been doing this or with wax on gut for years. A gut string job I got from TW had quite a bit of wax on it. If you string for yourself you might have noticed there are also several strings that come packaged with a light coating of lubricant already on it.

But that's not to increase spin. That's to make it easier to string when you pull the crosses through the mains. The slippery coating makes it easier and faster to string without burning and possibly damaging the string during the stringing process. In fact, I get less spin from fresh stringbeds because the strings still have that new slippery coating on them. Once that slippery coating wears off and the strings stop moving and/or snapping back, I get much more spin.