0:01 Description and Cost 0:54 Expectations 2:18 Testing the Paddle Eraser 3:11 Microscopic Footage, Before Cleaning 4:15 Cleaning the Paddle 5:08 Microscopic Footage, After Cleaning 5:45 Spin Test Results, Before and After Cleaning 7:24 Final Thoughts
Jeez, what a thorough review! Carbon fiber weaves seen through the microscope was very illuminating. I recently bought a few carbon paddles and an eraser, so I needed some reference for eraser use. Thanks for doing the heavy lifting! 😎
Great video John, along with others I've watched. A little off-center from everybody else... which I prefer. A little less flash, a little more real-world perspective. We spend a ton on this equipment... input on what works and what doesn't, and for how long, is extremely useful! I prefer not to adapt my game month-by-month because paddles degrade, and thus also does my bank account.
Glad to see you did this. After your last videos, I bought a microscope and, later, a CRBN eraser. The visual results were similar. I see the dirt and debris on the paddle before cleaning and a cleaner surface afterwards. I was skeptical that the cleaning would affect spin performance. Since I haven't tried spin testing, I had no way to confirm that feeling. But your results certainly suggest that the cleaner helps. As for longer term impacts, I did not see any visible damage to the paddle from cleaning. I have some standard points on the paddle where I photograph, before and after. The cleaning hasn't impacted the paddle at the level I can see with the scope. The dust and debris cannot enhance the paddles long term condition. It cannot protect the paddle. So worst case the long term performance is unaffected. But given the small tears you observe under the microscope, my hypothesis that there may be a slight benefit from cleaning. You'll have to alternate play between 2 brand new paddles for a period of 4 months and let us know!! Thanks for the great info!
Great post, thanks! It's good to see that your results are in line with mine. I think you're right - as long as you clean with moderation and not go overboard, the worst that could happen is that you have a better looking paddle with slightly better spin.
Excellent video as always! I’ve been doing tests with this as well (not with the CRBN cleaner, but with an identical tool) and I’ve noticed the same results. I didn’t publish a video yet because results have been so inconclusive. Great to see this further confirmed by your testing as well. So far my opinion is that it’s probably worth picking up one of the cheaper blocks (you get more material for cheaper than CRBN) and cleaning once every week or two to remove large amounts of dust. I don’t think it’s worth cleaning every play session as it may hurt the surface (as you suggested) and it doesn’t improve RPM enough to warrant such excessive cleaning.
@@johnkewpickleball Cheaper option would be the rubber erasers for cleaning sanding belts/discs available from hardware stores and am@zon. They're huge compared to the much smaller chunks made for the PB market.
In Canada, they are charging $24 for this eraser. I decided to try the Mr. clean eraser and I was amazed at how clean my paddle became. It remained at least as gritty as it was before the cleaning. I didn’t do the testing of the cleaning that was done in this video but I am happy using the Mr. clean eraser given It is much cheaper.
After reading your comment a few days ago. I got Mr Clean Magic Eraser this afternoon. It works. By using magnifying glass, there are a few stubborn particles still there in between those weaves which I think is impossible to remove. Thanks for your recommendation
FWIW, The Mr Clean Magic Eraser is made of melamine foam and has both voids to pick up dirt and grime, as well as abrasive edges, equal to about a 3000-6000 grit sandpaper. Because it is abrasive, I would not personally use it on my paddles.
Hey John, Thanks again for the great video. I got my eraser about two weeks ago and have noticed a pretty significant difference with my Model E paddle (about 4 months old, used 2-3 times a week). I did notice there was a bunch of random debris from outdoor courts opposed to when I play indoors at PFP. Either way I have been happy with the product as it makes my paddle appear as new. Looking forward to future videos from this channel!
To address questions about cleaning: I do not have to clean the eraser. The eraser seems to self clean by loosing a small layer of it's material during cleaning. Kind of like a pencil eraser sheds to self clean.
i just started watching you on u tube. loving all the detailed info you are sharing. i have the carbon eraser and will let you know what i think of it after i clean my paddles. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
How long depends on how often used. The eraser wears and you do not clean it. It's like old school soft gum erasers. They wear quicker and you lose rubber as you use it. This comes from woodworking sandpaper cleaners. Which are much cheaper and much bigger than this product albeit not black (which makes zero difference btw) lol Save some bucks and get the sandpaper cleaner.
We bought a log of sandpaper cleaner (cut into cubes with a band saw) to clean our carbon fiber paddles. I wonder if it too does the same job as the one you tested?
I'm wondering if the rubber eraser woodworkers use to remove wood dust from sanding belts would do the same thing? I'm sure it's equal or less aggressive than the paddle eraser. Just a hack that came to mind.
When I used SixZero's eraser on my new-ish Double Black Diamond, Joola Hyperion, and Engage Pursuit ... I noticed the DBD's face sloughed off a lot more eraser material than the Hyperion and the Pursuit (latter is oldest paddle and sloughed off the least). I wonder if rubbing an eraser on a paddles is another way to compare the relative spin potential of paddles?
Looks like the sole of the Suede Chucka Boots I wore as a kid. (I wonder if that gunk cleaner for keyboards, kneaded eraser, art gum eraser, etc. would work.)
The new Rubies should be fine with an eraser, but the first batch was having issues with the Kevlar fibers being pulled through the epoxy texture if there was any damaged spots
would be great if you could review the different cleaning options as mention by your subscribers so...crbn vs sixzero vs belt sander vs skateboard...seems that crbn is charging a hefty premium which is justified if the other options damage/wear down the rackets prematurly
The piece of information that is missing is the baseline spin of a new paddle. So when you say it brings back moderate spin it maybe because it only lost a moderate amount to begin with.
It would be interesting but only relevant towards when to replace the paddle due to wear. Much like competitive tennis, I suspect you would trade out paddles often as they due with paddle rubber to maintain spin. In table tennis, they have rubber cleaners/rejuvenates to extend life of paddle rubber and keep spin longer.
I’m not familiar with belt sander cleaners, but the CRBN eraser is a soft rubber that is also sticky. It will pick up a piece of paper with its stickiness.
If I remember right from what you said the older the paddle was and the dirtier it was the more helpful this device was. Based on that, I think it’s fair to say that this will increase longevity. That’s great news for use raw carbon users who can’t afford to buy new paddles all the time!
Hey John. Thanks for another very informative and revealing review. Not knowing what to use, I've been cleaning my Hyperion periodically with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. A friend uses a dampened Magic Eraser on his Power Air. To me, that seemed too abrasive for a carbon fiber surface, so I've avoided that solution. But, then again, I have no idea if its actually safe and effective. In any event, I'll be giving the CRBN paddle eraser a try. Thanks for bringing it to the attention of your followers!
@@johnkewpickleball Yes, he's very happy with the Magic Eraser. He says it's very easy to use and it cleans extremely well. But, of course, there's no scientific proof on how well it actually cleans, nor more importantly I think, on does it damage the surface of his Power Air. My understanding is that the Magic Eraser is fairly abrasive, so I've avoided it as a paddle cleaner. I did go ahead and put in my order for the backlogged CRBN paddle eraser. I'll use it on my Hyperion. I recently bought a Project 003 Invikta, which I believe is a hybrid surface, so I wonder if it's safe to use on that.
@@johnkewpickleball I use a natural rubber cleaner and then an air compressor to blow off visible particles. Seems to help. At least my mind is convinced that a cleaner looking paddle plays better. But, I also think a clean car is faster.
Thank you for the discount! I don't watch your channel, but your discount code made its way onto a coupon website, and it helped save me some money and earned Fromuth my business since their competitor had the same price without your coupon. I see it as a win win for everyone. Have a splendid day, John :)
@@johnkewpickleball The code was 10JOHNKEW so I was like, "Maybe I should go check who this John Kew guy is and see if he's cool with me using the code..." And sure enough I searched your name and your channel came up, and I saw that you put a public code in your description so I figured you'd be okay with me using it.
I honestly think that 200rpm or less is a negligible difference. Yes It could in theory make the difference in a point. But it’s not making some big difference purchasing a new paddle when the spin drops off hard is the better investment at the end of the day you can’t bring back the dead.
Does it bother anyone that pickleball is creating microscopic plastic particles that might either get breathed in or left on the ground and end up in the soil or air?
There are millions of rubber tires on the road wearing out and sending god knows how much tire dust in the air. Pickleball dust vs tire dust. No contest.
It seems you never took a experiment course in college! You need a Iron Bryan which they use to test golf balls and clubs ! Every shot at the same exact speed ! And the difference in spin is around 4% not really significant! Then compare a brand new paddle and others cleaned with various cleaners ! And do it double blind !Have you tried ACV ?
Had to have it. Used it. Does nothing. Save your money. More particles break off the eraser than taking debris off the paddle. Instead, rub paddle with Soft soapy cloth, dry with soft cloth then air dry b4 putting back in case. Paddle looks brand new.
Are pickleball players basically pulverizing plastic into tiny plastic bits and then it goes into the ecosystem??? That might be a scale problem as the sport grows and becomes more popular......
These are the best and only worthwhile Pickleball paddle videos on TH-cam.
Try the ones from pickle ball studio his are fantastic
0:01 Description and Cost
0:54 Expectations
2:18 Testing the Paddle Eraser
3:11 Microscopic Footage, Before Cleaning
4:15 Cleaning the Paddle
5:08 Microscopic Footage, After Cleaning
5:45 Spin Test Results, Before and After Cleaning
7:24 Final Thoughts
Thank you so much man!!
Jeez, what a thorough review! Carbon fiber weaves seen through the microscope was very illuminating. I recently bought a few carbon paddles and an eraser, so I needed some reference for eraser use. Thanks for doing the heavy lifting! 😎
Great video! Love that you include disclaimers around the RPM data and present a balanced perspective on the value of the paddle eraser.
Great video John, along with others I've watched. A little off-center from everybody else... which I prefer. A little less flash, a little more real-world perspective. We spend a ton on this equipment... input on what works and what doesn't, and for how long, is extremely useful! I prefer not to adapt my game month-by-month because paddles degrade, and thus also does my bank account.
Glad to see you did this. After your last videos, I bought a microscope and, later, a CRBN eraser.
The visual results were similar. I see the dirt and debris on the paddle before cleaning and a cleaner surface afterwards.
I was skeptical that the cleaning would affect spin performance. Since I haven't tried spin testing, I had no way to confirm that feeling.
But your results certainly suggest that the cleaner helps.
As for longer term impacts, I did not see any visible damage to the paddle from cleaning. I have some standard points on the paddle where I photograph, before and after. The cleaning hasn't impacted the paddle at the level I can see with the scope.
The dust and debris cannot enhance the paddles long term condition. It cannot protect the paddle. So worst case the long term performance is unaffected. But given the small tears you observe under the microscope, my hypothesis that there may be a slight benefit from cleaning.
You'll have to alternate play between 2 brand new paddles for a period of 4 months and let us know!!
Thanks for the great info!
Great post, thanks! It's good to see that your results are in line with mine. I think you're right - as long as you clean with moderation and not go overboard, the worst that could happen is that you have a better looking paddle with slightly better spin.
Excellent video as always! I’ve been doing tests with this as well (not with the CRBN cleaner, but with an identical tool) and I’ve noticed the same results. I didn’t publish a video yet because results have been so inconclusive.
Great to see this further confirmed by your testing as well. So far my opinion is that it’s probably worth picking up one of the cheaper blocks (you get more material for cheaper than CRBN) and cleaning once every week or two to remove large amounts of dust.
I don’t think it’s worth cleaning every play session as it may hurt the surface (as you suggested) and it doesn’t improve RPM enough to warrant such excessive cleaning.
Thanks for the feedback, Chris! That's fantastic that our results are aligning again. I'd be interested to learn more about your cheaper option.
What is the identical tool? The crbn eraser is out of stock.
@@connelldan9 www.amazon.com/Dura-Gold-Abrasive-Cleaning-Sandpaper-Skateboards/dp/B08JH8B4F4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3JOWTASO83JH5&keywords=sand+paper+cleaner&qid=1669752182&sprefix=sand+paper+clea%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A23ADOZFIJNPFB&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEySDFBUUZOSVBEVE9TJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDQ0MTI4MkpNTDNDOEZaNlNZViZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDY3OTUyVUlDT0dVSzRZWU9IJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
Yeah i'm gonna need to know about this identical tool myself; I really need to start cleaning my paddle xD
@@johnkewpickleball Cheaper option would be the rubber erasers for cleaning sanding belts/discs available from hardware stores and am@zon. They're huge compared to the much smaller chunks made for the PB market.
In Canada, they are charging $24 for this eraser. I decided to try the Mr. clean eraser and I was amazed at how clean my paddle became. It remained at least as gritty as it was before the cleaning. I didn’t do the testing of the cleaning that was done in this video but I am happy using the Mr. clean eraser given It is much cheaper.
After reading your comment a few days ago. I got Mr Clean Magic Eraser this afternoon. It works. By using magnifying glass, there are a few stubborn particles still there in between those weaves which I think is impossible to remove. Thanks for your recommendation
FWIW, The Mr Clean Magic Eraser is made of melamine foam and has both voids to pick up dirt and grime, as well as abrasive edges, equal to about a 3000-6000 grit sandpaper. Because it is abrasive, I would not personally use it on my paddles.
Why would you ever use a Mr. clean eraser on your paddle? It has grit, while the CRBN eraser is just rubber lol
Hey John, Thanks again for the great video. I got my eraser about two weeks ago and have noticed a pretty significant difference with my Model E paddle (about 4 months old, used 2-3 times a week). I did notice there was a bunch of random debris from outdoor courts opposed to when I play indoors at PFP. Either way I have been happy with the product as it makes my paddle appear as new. Looking forward to future videos from this channel!
Hey Tony, is PFP the pickleball food pub here in Colorado?
Yessir!
To address questions about cleaning: I do not have to clean the eraser. The eraser seems to self clean by loosing a small layer of it's material during cleaning. Kind of like a pencil eraser sheds to self clean.
Thanks for your review! It works great on my new CRBN 2x paddle. Question- What is the best way to clean the eraser?
i just started watching you on u tube. loving all the detailed info you are sharing. i have the carbon eraser and will let you know what i think of it after i clean my paddles. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
Great video! Love how thorough your videos are and appreciate the in depth review.
Am I a toddler, if the first time you said “ball dust” I laughed haha….great video
How long will the eraser last, and how do you clean the eraser.
How long depends on how often used. The eraser wears and you do not clean it. It's like old school soft gum erasers. They wear quicker and you lose rubber as you use it.
This comes from woodworking sandpaper cleaners. Which are much cheaper and much bigger than this product albeit not black (which makes zero difference btw) lol Save some bucks and get the sandpaper cleaner.
Exceptional review. I really appreciate your content and insight. This is definitely going on my wishlist.
I'm sure this has already been said, but skateboard grip tape eraser works great as well. And cost a lot less than the CRBN eraser.
Sandpaper cleaner is cheaper again. All of these products are borrowing from the woodworking world.
We bought a log of sandpaper cleaner (cut into cubes with a band saw) to clean our carbon fiber paddles. I wonder if it too does the same job as the one you tested?
I'm wondering if the rubber eraser woodworkers use to remove wood dust from sanding belts would do the same thing? I'm sure it's equal or less aggressive than the paddle eraser. Just a hack that came to mind.
When I used SixZero's eraser on my new-ish Double Black Diamond, Joola Hyperion, and Engage Pursuit ... I noticed the DBD's face sloughed off a lot more eraser material than the Hyperion and the Pursuit (latter is oldest paddle and sloughed off the least). I wonder if rubbing an eraser on a paddles is another way to compare the relative spin potential of paddles?
Almost think maybe a shop vac may work if done regulary, thoughts?
Great videos and info. Please review the Engage MX 6.0 paddle for spin and spin durability.
Looks like the sole of the Suede Chucka Boots I wore as a kid. (I wonder if that gunk cleaner for keyboards, kneaded eraser, art gum eraser, etc. would work.)
John, Thanks for doing this video. One quick question: Will this eraser work on the 6.0 Ruby with kevlar ?
The new Rubies should be fine with an eraser, but the first batch was having issues with the Kevlar fibers being pulled through the epoxy texture if there was any damaged spots
Excellent Video and information. Hopefully you will start posting more as all your videos have been great.
would be great if you could review the different cleaning options as mention by your subscribers so...crbn vs sixzero vs belt sander vs skateboard...seems that crbn is charging a hefty premium which is justified if the other options damage/wear down the rackets prematurly
The piece of information that is missing is the baseline spin of a new paddle. So when you say it brings back moderate spin it maybe because it only lost a moderate amount to begin with.
It would be interesting but only relevant towards when to replace the paddle due to wear.
Much like competitive tennis, I suspect you would trade out paddles often as they due with paddle rubber to maintain spin. In table tennis, they have rubber cleaners/rejuvenates to extend life of paddle rubber and keep spin longer.
What is this product made of is it a similar texture as a natural rubber eraser stick used for sanding belts and discs?
I’m not familiar with belt sander cleaners, but the CRBN eraser is a soft rubber that is also sticky. It will pick up a piece of paper with its stickiness.
This doesn't work on Selkirk paddles with the grit glue except for the new 006 RCF correct
If I remember right from what you said the older the paddle was and the dirtier it was the more helpful this device was. Based on that, I think it’s fair to say that this will increase longevity. That’s great news for use raw carbon users who can’t afford to buy new paddles all the time!
Hey John. Thanks for another very informative and revealing review.
Not knowing what to use, I've been cleaning my Hyperion periodically with a slightly damp microfiber cloth.
A friend uses a dampened Magic Eraser on his Power Air. To me, that seemed too abrasive for a carbon fiber surface, so I've avoided that solution. But, then again, I have no idea if its actually safe and effective.
In any event, I'll be giving the CRBN paddle eraser a try. Thanks for bringing it to the attention of your followers!
That's interesting that your friend is using a magic eraser. I don't know much about melamine foam - is your friend happy with the results?
@@johnkewpickleball Yes, he's very happy with the Magic Eraser. He says it's very easy to use and it cleans extremely well.
But, of course, there's no scientific proof on how well it actually cleans, nor more importantly I think, on does it damage the surface of his Power Air. My understanding is that the Magic Eraser is fairly abrasive, so I've avoided it as a paddle cleaner.
I did go ahead and put in my order for the backlogged CRBN paddle eraser. I'll use it on my Hyperion. I recently bought a Project 003 Invikta, which I believe is a hybrid surface, so I wonder if it's safe to use on that.
Have you try the CBRN eraser on a Silkirk Power Air or a Silkirk Lab Project 003 ?
Thank you John
How do you clean the eraser
Belt sander cleaner is the same thing and cheaper. But yes, it works well
Really great review,
Keep up the good work!
Great video, John. Would you use this eraser on a Selkirk power air or labs 003?
Thanks!
It would probably be fine for light cleaning on these grit texture surfaces, but I’d be cautious not to overdo it and risk removing the grit
How does this compare to other cleaning methods? Does compressed air also remove the debris??
I haven’t thought of compressed air, good idea!
@@johnkewpickleball I use a natural rubber cleaner and then an air compressor to blow off visible particles. Seems to help. At least my mind is convinced that a cleaner looking paddle plays better. But, I also think a clean car is faster.
@@ScottMarshallRocks Haha, well, even the fictions we tell ourselves can help with a mental advantage!
Was that an approved crbn1?
Do you know if it will work on Engage Graphite face? Thanks
it is usable on the Engage but they don't officially recommend it. They recommend a magic eraser (like Mr. Clean) and a damp cloth.
Thank you for the discount! I don't watch your channel, but your discount code made its way onto a coupon website, and it helped save me some money and earned Fromuth my business since their competitor had the same price without your coupon. I see it as a win win for everyone. Have a splendid day, John :)
Interesting - how did you find my videos if the code showed up on a coupon website? Anyway, I'm glad it helped you!
@@johnkewpickleball The code was 10JOHNKEW so I was like, "Maybe I should go check who this John Kew guy is and see if he's cool with me using the code..." And sure enough I searched your name and your channel came up, and I saw that you put a public code in your description so I figured you'd be okay with me using it.
@@dominicdao2106 Great, thanks for stopping by, and use that code any time!
How is it different from a Mr. Clean eraser
How are you doing the spin testing?
By counting video frames per revolution, same as Chris Olson
@@johnkewpickleball Thanks, i'm still trying to find a technical way to do this , good review sir!! Keep up the good work!!
Still waiting on that power air review for the grit durability
Does it work on non carbon paddles?
Not recommend for grit texture paddles
I honestly think that 200rpm or less is a negligible difference. Yes It could in theory make the difference in a point. But it’s not making some big difference purchasing a new paddle when the spin drops off hard is the better investment at the end of the day you can’t bring back the dead.
Are there any other similar erasers out there that are cheaper?
Not currently, but you could try using skateboard grip tape cleaners. They seem to be very similar, and some are priced around $10
I use a belt cleaner. Amazon $5.
Does it bother anyone that pickleball is creating microscopic plastic particles that might either get breathed in or left on the ground and end up in the soil or air?
No, now go lobby in China and make a real difference.
No
No
There are millions of rubber tires on the road wearing out and sending god knows how much tire dust in the air. Pickleball dust vs tire dust. No contest.
No
well done
It seems you never took a experiment course in college! You need a Iron Bryan which they use to test golf balls and clubs ! Every shot at the same exact speed ! And the difference in spin is around 4% not really significant! Then compare a brand new paddle and others cleaned with various cleaners ! And do it double blind !Have you tried ACV ?
good science. i like
Had to have it. Used it. Does nothing. Save your money. More particles break off the eraser than taking debris off the paddle. Instead, rub paddle with Soft soapy cloth, dry with soft cloth then air dry b4 putting back in case. Paddle looks brand new.
Demonstrably not true. But nothing wrong with your method either. This stuff has been used for decades to clean sandpaper in woodworking.
👌😎🙏
Consider changing that transition sound effect...it's kind of creepy.
Are pickleball players basically pulverizing plastic into tiny plastic bits and then it goes into the ecosystem??? That might be a scale problem as the sport grows and becomes more popular......
Wow, skateboard industry been doing this for years for cleaning up grip tape. What an fn joke
Uh, woodworking first. Funny enough it's cheaper to buy for woodworking than skateboarding or pickleball specific. So there you go.