What are the chances I ruined my nice gut string job?

[AlexR]

Long story short I got my first ever gut hybrid setup and was hitting a damp ball (rolled in puddle) for a good 15 minutes before I remembered gut doesn’t like water at all. I dried it once I realized

The string is VS Touch with the black coating, I had about 5 hours of doubles play in it.

Visually, most of the string looks normal, though the coating is wearing off progressively, and a few points where the string goes over a cross are getting a little more opaque but light still passes thru.

Feel is still normal from what I can tell but I just bounced the ball off the ground and whacked a couple volleys into the back of my couch.

So what’s the deal, is it probably gonna pop super early on me, play weird, or what?

 

[Cowboy]

I have only played with one set of NG and it has held up better than I expected. Others with more experience will probably chime in, but I think you'll be fine.

If you're playing with NG, is it safe to assume that you have a backup racquet? If so, keep hitting with it and move on mentally to something more important. If not, you should check the classified section to find a second frame.

 

[Purestriker]

Long story short I got my first ever gut hybrid setup and was hitting a damp ball (rolled in puddle) for a good 15 minutes before I remembered gut doesn’t like water at all. I dried it once I realized

The string is VS Touch with the black coating, I had about 5 hours of doubles play in it.

Visually, most of the string looks normal, though the coating is wearing off progressively, and a few points where the string goes over a cross are getting a little more opaque but light still passes thru.

Feel is still normal from what I can tell but I just bounced the ball off the ground and whacked a couple volleys into the back of my couch.

So what’s the deal, is it probably gonna pop super early on me, play weird, or what?

The coating helps with the water. But you should avoid playing with a wet tennis ball or out in the rain.

 

[JK208]

Long story short I got my first ever gut hybrid setup and was hitting a damp ball (rolled in puddle) for a good 15 minutes before I remembered gut doesn’t like water at all. I dried it once I realized

The string is VS Touch with the black coating, I had about 5 hours of doubles play in it.

Visually, most of the string looks normal, though the coating is wearing off progressively, and a few points where the string goes over a cross are getting a little more opaque but light still passes thru.

Feel is still normal from what I can tell but I just bounced the ball off the ground and whacked a couple volleys into the back of my couch.

So what’s the deal, is it probably gonna pop super early on me, play weird, or what?

It's coated, and it was pretty minimal water damage- if it plays fine now, it will be fine.

 

[AlexR]

Thanks everyone, playing tonight, if it blows up i’ll report back.

 

[veelium]

Should be fine although I wouldnt recommend doing it too often.

Modern gut is a lot more resistant. I've played in light rain before without issues. Really high humidity kills it though.

 

[esgee48]

Today's NG is water resistant, but not water proof. I would make sure that any water which made its way into the strands be allowed to evaporate. How long this takes depends on how wet it got. My rule of thumb is let it dry out at least 48 hours.

 

[stapletonj]

I have been playing with gut for a while now.

You should be OK unless the gut coating was completely worn off.

I was playing an outdoor tourney on Har Tru a couple years ago.

My gut was about mid-way through.

about 5 PM, apparently their under the court watering system turned on.

It was so bad I was wiping the ball off on a towel I stuck in my waistband - every.single.point.

The strings didn't even last out the set.

 

[Steve Huff]

I have been playing with gut for a while now.

You should be OK unless the gut coating was completely worn off.

I was playing an outdoor tourney on Har Tru a couple years ago.

My gut was about mid-way through.

about 5 PM, apparently their under the court watering system turned on.

It was so bad I was wiping the ball off on a towel I stuck in my waistband - every.single.point.

The strings didn't even last out the set.

Most likely the weight of the balls, not the water on the gut.

 

[Happi]

I have been playing with gut for a while now.

You should be OK unless the gut coating was completely worn off.

I was playing an outdoor tourney on Har Tru a couple years ago.

My gut was about mid-way through.

about 5 PM, apparently their under the court watering system turned on.

It was so bad I was wiping the ball off on a towel I stuck in my waistband - every.single.point.

The strings didn't even last out the set.

You need a backup racquet without NG

 

[stapletonj]

A. Weight of the balls? I guess it is possible, but I think the coating was already gone and the water got into the fibers and the 62 lbs. tension and poly crosses just cut right through

B. I did and that's what I switched to when the "A" racket strings broke