# does a raw surface create more friction than an anodized one?
**URL:** https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-a-raw-surface-create-more-friction-than-an-anodized-one/73815
**Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance
**Created:** [April 2, 2015, 5:47pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-a-raw-surface-create-more-friction-than-an-anodized-one/73815 "2015-04-02T17:47:39Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@kadabrium](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kadabrium)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2015, 5:47pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-a-raw-surface-create-more-friction-than-an-anodized-one/73815/1 "2015-04-02T17:47:39Z")
I have this half raw, half anodized sleipnir
and noticed that the spin seems to last longer during a horizontal trick when the anodized half is facing upward
and will a longitudinal satin help fix this
/
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### Author:  [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2015, 8:30pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-a-raw-surface-create-more-friction-than-an-anodized-one/73815/2 "2015-04-02T20:30:32Z")
The major source of friction is the bearing and string rubbing on the walls, so in that respect, yes, finish has some effect on spin. The anodized side will have a bit more friction. Skin friction due to air is minimal.
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### Author:  [@kadabrium](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kadabrium)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2015, 9:13pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-a-raw-surface-create-more-friction-than-an-anodized-one/73815/3 "2015-04-02T21:13:15Z")
> [@jhb8426](#):
>
> The major source of friction is the bearing and string rubbing on the walls, so in that respect, yes, finish has some effect on spin. The anodized side will have a bit more friction. Skin friction due to air is minimal.
The anodized side will have a bit less friction.
tested on my other 2 polished throws
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### Author:  [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-a-raw-surface-create-more-friction-than-an-anodized-one/73815/4 "2015-04-02T21:36:53Z")
> [@kadabrium](#):
>
> The anodized side will have a bit less friction.
> tested on my other 2 polished throws
OK, but it doesn’t seem logical unless what you refer to as raw is really rough.
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### Author:  [@kadabrium](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kadabrium)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2015, 9:45pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-a-raw-surface-create-more-friction-than-an-anodized-one/73815/5 "2015-04-02T21:45:20Z")
It does have the characteristic annular lathe marks but is still polished shiny. I just thought it s the same reason why a blasted finish have less friction on grinds.
by this logic I was considering sanding the catch zone longitudinally
want to make sure
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### Author:  [@mullicabob](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mullicabob)
#### Post date: [April 3, 2015, 12:04am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-a-raw-surface-create-more-friction-than-an-anodized-one/73815/6 "2015-04-03T00:04:21Z")
.
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### Author:  [@rymvill22](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/rymvill22)
#### Post date: [April 3, 2015, 1:22am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-a-raw-surface-create-more-friction-than-an-anodized-one/73815/7 "2015-04-03T01:22:55Z")
> [@kadabrium](#):
>
> I just thought it s the same reason why a blasted finish have less friction on grinds.
> by this logic I was considering sanding the catch zone longitudinally
> want to make sure
Well, string on aluminium isn’t quite the same as skin on aluminium. This reddit comment explains it pretty well:
[Why is there so much friction between glass and skin, although the surface of glass is so smooth?](http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1vroho/why_is_there_so_much_friction_between_glass_and/cev6qpp)
Polishing the surface of the yo-yo creates less friction between the string and the walls of the yo-yo. The bumpy surface of blasted yo-yos can actually slow the yo-yo down because of increased friction between the walls and the string. Rougher surface = more friction, right? So why do non-blasted yo-yos drastically slow down when they contact skin?
The inverse of the above is true when dealing with friction between skin and the yo-yo surface. Skin conforms to contours on the yo-yo surface, allowing for a large contact area and effectively increasing friction due to adhesion. A rough surface would create less friction because of the reduced contact area with skin.
Sanding the catch zone to a satin finish would be counter-intuitive, because it would only increase friction between the walls and the string.
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### Author:  [@kadabrium](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/kadabrium)
#### Post date: [April 3, 2015, 1:32am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-a-raw-surface-create-more-friction-than-an-anodized-one/73815/8 "2015-04-03T01:32:02Z")
> [@rymvill22](#):
>
> string on aluminium isn’t quite the same as skin on aluminium
didnt answer why at all