Wilson, why are pros' racquets glossy?

Semper

Semper

New User
I noticed almost every pro player (besides Roger maybe) using Wilson has a glossy paint job which gives a totally different effect to the looks of the racquet. So I was wondering what the reason was, if any, or is it just because the racquets are the old models that get re-painted and this is the result? Does anyone know? Maybe @PeterFig could help us here.
 
moon shot

moon shot

Hall of Fame
Semper said:
I noticed almost every pro player (besides Roger maybe) using Wilson has a glossy paint job which gives a totally different effect to the looks of the racquet. So I was wondering what the reason was, if any, or is it just because the racquets are the old models that get re-painted and this is the result? Does anyone know? Maybe @PeterFig could help us here.
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In general matte, satin, and flat finishes on paint are less durable than a gloss finish. It may simply be that the sponsors product isn't destroyed as fast which would be a detraction to their buying audience.
 
THE MAN

THE MAN

Professional
mischiefalex said:
I wish we could get the same option of having glossy paint jobs. The matte finishing is horrible. I have noticed that most brands are switching to a matte finish and selling it to us.
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Take your rackets to your automotive repair shop and have them spray it with some high gloss clearcoat.
 
lidoazndiabloboi

lidoazndiabloboi

Hall of Fame
Semper said:
I noticed almost every pro player (besides Roger maybe) using Wilson has a glossy paint job which gives a totally different effect to the looks of the racquet. So I was wondering what the reason was, if any, or is it just because the racquets are the old models that get re-painted and this is the result? Does anyone know? Maybe @PeterFig could help us here.
Click to expand...

A glossy finish and matte finish rackets have slightly different feel. Glossy usually has a stiffer feeling than matte finish rackets. So players that are used to glossy will stick with it and vice versa.
 
Semper

Semper

New User
Thanks for your replies guys! What you said makes sense. But here's another question... I saw the new Burn 95 CV recently and I noticed it is the only one of the new Wilson line which is glossy; why do you think they decided to keep it different from all the others? Actually I don't really understand why they put this model under the Burn line since it really has nothing to do with them being a completely different racquet!
 
dr325i

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
lidoazndiabloboi said:
A glossy finish and matte finish rackets have slightly different feel. Glossy usually has a stiffer feeling than matte finish rackets. So players that are used to glossy will stick with it and vice versa.
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Interesting.
Had about 5 PT113B in my hands. 2 matte that I am using now, one glossy that was setup for Stepanek and 2 glossy that belonged to Novak.
All 5 measured identical flex on the same RDC.
 
M

manchu

New User
Yeah noticed the different finishes during the AO. It did look like Fed only one with velvet paint. Looked like Venus had a more matte finish. Wonder if no one else likes the velvet feel. I don't like the texture change from velvet to gloss for Wilson text. I do prefer the new burns paint feel. Hoping Wilson drops the velvet paint to something more like burn type finish. Always wondered why color at 3 and 9 are so large. Noticed during the AO that the color made me focus on Wilson stencil.
 
PBODY99

PBODY99

Legend
The size and location at the 3 & 9 location = Wilson, Babolat twin stripes on the frame is not as bold, but the stencil "flows" from that mark on the frame.
 
T

tennistiger

Professional
Only reason for retail matte colour is that the rackets look bad much earlier in order to sell more! (Info is really safe!!!)
 
vsbabolat

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
Why most of the players don't have that rubber paint is pretty simple. They prefer the tactile feel of the glossy finish in their hand when holding the racquet. Personally when I hit with the new Blade I hated the feel of the laser etching on the side of the racquet. I like my racquets feeling smooth and glossy.
 
SeeItHitIt

SeeItHitIt

Professional
THE MAN said:
Take your rackets to your automotive repair shop and have them spray it with some high gloss clearcoat.
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Or buy a spray can of clear lacquer and do it yourself...remove the grip and grommets, wipe it down a few times with a cleaning solvent and they'll be shiny in no time!
 
P

PaulC

Professional
vsbabolat said:
Why most of the players don't have that rubber paint is pretty simple. They prefer the tactile feel of the glossy finish in their hand when holding the racquet. Personally when I hit with the new Blade I hated the feel of the laser etching on the side of the racquet. I like my racquets feeling smooth and glossy.
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EXACTLY!! And the simple fact that Glossy paint-jobs (of the matte retails) OUTNUMBERED Matte paint-jobs probably 10 to 1 on the Tour speaks for itself.

And tennistiger is spot on that those cheapo matte finishes are just more prone to chip, which may create new demands in sales. (May be cost savings without clear coatings too?)
 
THE MAN

THE MAN

Professional
PaulC said:
EXACTLY!! And the simple fact that Glossy paint-jobs (of the matte retails) OUTNUMBERED Matte paint-jobs probably 10 to 1 on the Tour speaks for itself.

And tennistiger is spot on that those cheapo matte finishes are just more prone to chip, which may create new demands in sales. (May be cost savings without clear coatings too?)
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I am sure all rackets have clearcoat on them. It all depends what it is sprayed with a high gloss clear or a low gloss clear (matte). Where I work, all clearcoat starts off high gloss. If you what it matte or lower gloss we just add a flatting agent to lower the gloss.
I can get the gloss really low....like chalk if I use a lot of flatting agent.
Or I can take a matte finish racket and spray a high gloss clear on top.....which I think the big name players are doing because it looks better for TV and under the lights, or it's just personal preference.
 
PeterFig

PeterFig

Professional
Semper said:
What's the reason, then? You must know...
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The choice to use one type of finish over another at the retail level (that's all I can comment on as that's all I know factually) is solely based on design aesthetics. Assuming there are cost or other differences is incorrect.
 
themitchmann

themitchmann

Hall of Fame
In terms of feel (at contact with the ball, not hand feel),I prefer a glossy finish. In terms of aesthetics, I like the matte.
 
Semper

Semper

New User
PeterFig said:
The choice to use one type of finish over another at the retail level (that's all I can comment on as that's all I know factually) is solely based on design aesthetics. Assuming there are cost or other differences is incorrect.
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In order to make retails look better than pros'? It doesn't really make sense to me... I mean why there must even be a difference?
 
PeterFig

PeterFig

Professional
Semper said:
In order to make retails look better than pros'? It doesn't really make sense to me... I mean why there must even be a difference?
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I can't comment on pro racquets. What I meant is that retail finish choices are solely based on what the designer thinks will be a look that fits the overall design or accomplishes a certain design goal or direction for the retail racquets.
 
Harry_Wild

Harry_Wild

G.O.A.T.
Me personal don't like the Wilson velvet black frame with laser etching! Hard to look at and feel the frame is ugly to hold! Other words, not a work of art that I can be proud to represent me! Yes, I think like a top tier tour player when it comes to using a tennis racquet!
 
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every7

every7

Hall of Fame
vsbabolat said:
The different finish for the Pro's just proves that the racquets for the Pro's are different than retail.
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Thanks for adding this. Don't let the corporate robots whitewash this board....

Anyone whose bought racquets for 10-20 years knows that racquet buyers today are getting ripped off in every department and we must keep speaking up.
 
moon shot

moon shot

Hall of Fame
vsbabolat said:
The different finish for the Pro's just proves that the racquets for the Pro's are different than retail.
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I heard a legend that Van Halen had a crazy clause on their contract for their worldwide tour which said there could be no brown M&M's backstage. It was told as a example of how inflated they must feel that they would make such requirements. The truth apparently is that they used this odd requirement as a method to verify that all their requirements for structural support of lighting rigs and other safety related concerns were not ignored.

Makes me wonder if some of the differences in paint finish or names in the throat are to give some assurance to the player they arn't being handed the new retail layup at their spec to see if they notice. If my living depended something I wanted to remain unchanging yet it was being painted completely different every few years I'd certainly want some assurances the proper care was taken.

I wonder how many racquet smashes are in part because the player feels something about this frame doesn't feel right and I don't want it back in circulation next tournament.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thereco...he-truth-about-van-halen-and-those-brown-m-ms
 
ollinger

ollinger

G.O.A.T.
moon shot said:
I heard a legend that Van Halen had a crazy clause on their contract for their worldwide tour which said there could be no brown M&M's backstage
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the company actually says your bag of M&Ms should be 24% blue, 14% brown, 16% green, 20% orange, 13% red, 14% yellow, but your results may vary. People have counted and say the quality control is Wilsonesque.
 
every7

every7

Hall of Fame
4-string said:
Why keep buying then?
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I can't think of a good reason, unless they are dirt cheap, and/or for cosmetic reasons. The only "new" racquets I have picked up were some Textremes, a few prince Tour 100's, and some Yonex frames, and only because they were sub $100 on sale. And even then all your hoping for is that they can at least replicate the feel and playability of an older racquet with a bit more pop. Apparently easier said than done......
 
Shaolin

Shaolin

G.O.A.T.
robbo1970 said:
Gloss paint moves faster through the air due to less drag, whereas matte paint creates drag.

Damnnnn....I was saving that gem up for 1 April.
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Actually TW did some research on the aerodynamics of different racquet frame finishes. Pretty interesting stuff if you can find it on their database.
 
robbo1970

robbo1970

Hall of Fame
Shaolin said:
Actually TW did some research on the aerodynamics of different racquet frame finishes. Pretty interesting stuff if you can find it on their database.
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It would kind of make sense if a gloss finish was more aerodynamic. Matte paint magnified is very irregular in its surface finish, which would suggest extra drag. But.....noticeable when playing, I'm not so sure.

I would think the gloss vs matte paintjob matter is purely down to player preference. Predominantly matte paint worked ok for Federer recently.
 
every7

every7

Hall of Fame
PeterFig said:
Now I'm disappointed :)
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As soon as I saw the smiley-face emoticon I could tell you were genuinely upset.

@Shaolin - Did that aerodynamics test article have any mention of the matt / gloss discrepancy between pro and retail frames? Or was it more comparing the properties of matt / gloss finishes generally?
 
P

PaulC

Professional
Then we're wondering why WAY MORE pros (and even semi-pros who have access) choose glossy paint jobs over matte in ALL BRANDS... most pros are really PRACTICAL players, there must be good reasons other than just the looks.

I subscribe to the "Feel in the hand" theory.
 
Shaolin

Shaolin

G.O.A.T.
every7 said:
As soon as I saw the smiley-face emoticon I could tell you were genuinely upset.

@Shaolin - Did that aerodynamics test article have any mention of the matt / gloss discrepancy between pro and retail frames? Or was it more comparing the properties of matt / gloss finishes generally?
Click to expand...

I was jk about that …trying to see if @robbo1970 would fall for it :)
 
Alexh22

Alexh22

Professional
I agree the fact in many cases the pro is using a completely different racquet. H22 glossy blade paint for eg.
 
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