Pros using silcone spray on their strings

[Relinquis]

i wouldn't want to get someone's grease on my tennis balls

[Wilander]

Originally Posted by Relinquis

i wouldn't want to get someone's grease on my tennis balls

Yeah, when I tried silikone spray, i felt guilty, as the balls got very dirty in no time. Im was playing on clay, so the balls got orange soon. There may be no dirt on the balls on a clean hardcourt though.

[TimothyO]

Originally Posted by Wilander

Yeah, when I tried silikone spray, i felt guilty, as the balls got very dirty in no time. Im was playing on clay, so the balls got orange soon. There may be no dirt on the balls on a clean hardcourt though.

I'm experimenting with silicone and PTFE and get to hit later today with the wife. This is a concern for me too. The spray I chose says it won't collect dirt and dust. Did yours say the same thing?

Yesterday I bounced a ball with both frames in the garage and there were no marks on the ball. If it does collect dirt from the court on the balls then I can't see using it in the future. Doesn't seem kosher to do that.

[ShoeShiner]

As I know, there are many types of silicone sprays. WD40 is LUBRICANT silicone spray. I use hybrid strings, poly+multi. I will test by myself.

Originally Posted by grimmbomb21

Hopefully this thread doesn't lead to club and public courts smelling like WD40.

Ha ha ha.

[Ronaldo]

Our club already smells like Flexall 454.

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

Our club already smells like Flexall 454.

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ShoeShiner]

I tested in this morning :
● 2 rackets, same model, with old string(2 months ago) and new string(last week), same tension.
● the rackets strung with hybrid strings, Signum Pro + Prince Syn.
● silicone spray is Permatex 116DA, as shown in picture.
● before sprayed, used each racket 15 minutes.
● After sprayed, used each racket 15 minutes.
. . .
I felt the silicone spray can give more significant spin on the racket with new string.
BUT I think I will not use silicone spray, my play style is not the spin-attack style. AND the vapor of spray has oil smell.

[Inner Game]

If they are going to ban sprays...then make everyone use the same string. I'm sure all you tennis junkies have been watching how the pro's change rackets every 6 or 7 games...and their rackets are in plastic bags...HELLO "MCFLY" the pro's have been using string lubrication techniques for spin for years. The problem is it will last only so long...approx 20 minutes...that's why they change rackets...Also they don't want to publicize a spray product that give tremendous spin...why...because then the tennis industry string sales would plummet....the truth is string lubrication can bring back spin and zing in old strings....

[Bowtiesarecool]

I feel it's necessary to point out, after reading some questions and misinformation that...

Pure silicone does not attract dirt

Oil does

WD40 is NOT silicone. While the ingredients are proprietary, it is in fact an oil based mixture. (On a side note, don't use WD on your sliding glass door trac because it attracts dirt.)

Lubricating your strings prolongs the life of your stringjob and increases spin potential by reducing the notch-causing inter-string friction, thus allowing strings to move back and fourth more freely.

Lubing your old, notched strings, may give back some spin potential... But you won't get nearly the same effect as doing so to new string.

It has been pointed out by the various tournament stringers here that, they have not applied or witnessed pros applying lube to their strings. Their racquets are bagged because it adds to a more professional string job as opposed to just throwing un-bagged racquets into someone's bag.

There's no good reason to feel bad about getting lube on someone's balls. It doesn't hurt the ball, nor does it cause the ball to pick up a significant amount of dirt in the short time you're going to use them. If you or your opponent aren't discarding or throwing them into your practice basket after 2-3 sets, you should be.