Racket Care

[Ruudolph]

Hello everybody!

I just received a 729 bat from a friend and it didn't have the edging tape on it. I've looked at TS sports site and they have 9mm and 12mm tapes. I believe the 9mm will just cover the paddle and the sponges while the 12mm ones will cover the rubber as well. I hope you guys/gals know what I'm talking about. Haha! Which one is recommended or better?

I'm also thinking of getting the TS foam cleaner for the rubber. Is this any good or shall I just use water and save my money?! :grin2:

[Medicine Man]

A personal preference would be 12mm edging tape. Neater and more protection for rubber edges if, like myself, you are not keep changing rubbers.
Second question - Yes, save money. When Johnn Hilton, Euro equipment expert, was in Oslo, he said warm water and cloth was as good as any fancy foams and sprays.

[Belisar]

I was always told that the cleaners reduced the life of the rubber.

I use spit myself :bag:

[JKC]

I always prefer the pump-action spray types as I have found the foam types tend to turn tacky rubbers greasy. When my last one was empty I refilled it with water and a couple of drops of washing up liquid and 6 months on I haven't really noticed any difference in performance or how long the rubbers last.

[Ruudolph]

Medicine Man - Yes I won't be changing rubbers any soon so I will buy the 12mm ones.

Belisar - I'll just stick with water. Haha!

JKC - I have read somewhere on the net that most players just prefer to use water and some use water + washing up liquid.

Thanks for replying guys!

[Annie]

Fairy Liquid is without a doubt in my mind the best for removing grease. I even use it diluted on my laundry. :thumbsup:

[Ruudolph]

Yeah my housemate uses fairy liquid so it's sorted then! :thumbsup:

[Belisar]

Belisar - I'll just stick with water. Haha!



Maybe I can bottle and market my spit.

I'll call it Beli's gob. It's even environmentally friendly.

[Annie]

Maybe I can bottle and market my spit.

I'll call it Beli's gob. It's even environmentally friendly.

Well if we ever meet I won't be shaking your hand! :yucky:

[The Windmill]

I use spit also....never done me any harm. I have never used edging tape. What is the point ? can anyone tell me ?

[Ruudolph]

Maybe I can bottle and market my spit.

I'll call it Beli's gob. It's even environmentally friendly.

:yucky:

Yeah just make sure your spit don't fall into the wrong hands or your DNA will be all over the crime scenes! :grin2:


"Blades should be handled gently and not knocked about or thrown around. Edge tape should cover the perimeter of the head to protect it from dings and dents from accidental collisions with the table."

That's what I found on the net and I kinda agree with that.

[Mr Wilko]

i think these are all just another way of making money, a bit electricians tape cut in half will cover blade and rubber and spit cleans your rubbers giving them just as much effect as spray or cleaners and not reducing the life as stated earlier!!!!!!

:redcard::redcard::redcard:

[Ruudolph]

Yeah but the edge tape looks nicer and it doesn't cost that much anyway. Just about less than a pound to cover 3 bats.

[Leeston]

Just a thought - The use of "spit" could actually harm your rubber. Its an acid used to breakdown food, hene anything acidic has the potential to harm your rubber.

[Annie]

My mom used to spit on a hankie and wipe my face but it didn't do me any physical harm...........just mental! :thtease:

[Belisar]

Just a thought - The use of "spit" could actually harm your rubber. Its an acid used to breakdown food, hene anything acidic has the potential to harm your rubber.

Saliva is actually 98% water and it is the enzymes in saliva that break down food (only starches I think not other food groups). If it is acidic (and I am not sure one way or the other) it is not very strong.

[Leeston]

Saliva is actually 98% water and it is the enzymes in saliva that break down food (only starches I think not other food groups). If it is acidic (and I am not sure one way or the other) it is not very strong.

Hey - You Googled this didn't you ! Te He. ( Only cos I found the same quote ) .........and your quite right.

[Ruudolph]

Ah Google - Man's new best friend! :cool:

[DaveR]

Hey - You Googled this didn't you ! Te He. ( Only cos I found the same quote ) .........and your quite right.


Spit is a good replacement but not as healthy !

Leeston your a man of many searches !

[Annie]

Spit is a good replacement but not as healthy !


Depends if you floss I guess! :resent:

[TheMoose]

I have used warm water for many years or any water to be honest and i think the products out there on the market are probably only the same as water anyway !

[Mr Wilko]

to much water can also effect your rubbers!!!!

if you breathe on your rubbers this can also be a good cleaner (unless you have dog breath) ha ha ha

[Annie]

if you breathe on your rubbers this can also be a good cleaner (unless you have dog breath) ha ha ha

You seem very knowledgable about this Wilko? :resent:

[Leeston]

One thing I've never understood is the fetish of wiping your rubber with your hand ! Why !?! ...every time I see it happen I think - Do you know what you are doing !

Wiping your hand on the rubber with the theory that you cleaning it is so far from the truth. All you end up doing is transfering your sweat and the natural greece on the hand to the rubber, thereby making it more dirty and less likely to spin.

Here's a test you can do, put your finger on the bottom edge of the black rubber and leave it there for 20 seconds - take it away and hey, presto, you have a visible greece mark in the shape of your finger. That's what is being transfered to the centre of your rubber !..........

Sorry - One of my pet hates ! ...........as well as wiping your hand on the table next to the net !

[Mr Wilko]

how much grease are in these products being sold though ??? :popcorn:

[Annie]

I think people should be mindful of where they leave their bodily fluids! :resent:

[Mr Wilko]

ANNIE!!!!!!!!:redcard::redcard::redcard::redcard:: redcard:

[Sparky]

:snigger:I think people should be mindful of where they leave their bodily fluids! :resent: pmsl

[DaveR]

Its true though Sparky !

[Mr Wilko]

Yeah but the edge tape looks nicer and it doesn't cost that much anyway. Just about less than a pound to cover 3 bats.

i can get 3 rolls of electricians tape for under 5 pence (please state required colour) ha ha ha

[NativeNewYorker]

Mr Wilko your obviously a Northerner, they all have an eye for a good deal !

[Ruudolph]

i can get 3 rolls of electricians tape for under 5 pence (please state required colour) ha ha ha

Please get me 100 please so I can ebay them and make a profit! Hahaha! :dance3:

[Mr Wilko]

Please get me 100 please so I can ebay them and make a profit! Hahaha! :dance3:

already got them on ebay Ruudolph but i thought saying as we are all tt fans would do some good deals!!!!! ha ha ha :thtease: