Quote:
Originally Posted by nuclearnerd
Would you say a solid lubricant contravenes that rule? A silicone or teflon spray dries hard and does not transfer to other objects. If you still object, be sure none of your bumper materials have stain-resistant treatments from the factory which amount to the same thing.
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For the purposes of FRC rules, it's not the same thing at all. If the stain-resistant treatment is applied at the factory, it is part of the rugged, smooth cloth, and thus perfectly legal (given that all other applicable rules are followed).
If you apply it at your shop, it is NOT part of the rugged, smooth cloth, it is an added product that may or may not be legal depending on what the GDC has ruled.
It's like using a metal hose from the compressor to the first fitting. If a team decides to buy a metal pneumatic hose/tube (larger than allowed tubing, most likely), attach it to their compressor, and try to pass inspection, chances are it'll be ruled an illegal part. HOWEVER, if that same metal hose comes with the compressor and the MANUFACTURER says that the compressor needs to be used with that hose, then it is ruled part of the compressor! (And yes, the GDC did make that exact ruling in a Q&A--though not in the same words.)
The difference is slight, but it makes a huge difference in whether you're playing or not.
Oh, and on the solid lubricant: I would consider it to be in violation if the GDC had ruled that bumpers had to be constructed per the rule and that adding stuff to the cloth to modify its effects was illegal (as I recall, they made enough statements that tended to go that way that I'd be pretty comfortable with a "no pass" call, probably with a side of "LRI to confirm"). Remember, though, what I said earlier: If the cloth comes that way from the manufacturer, it's legal (unless the GDC has ruled otherwise).