Less friction from stiction

reminds me of a similar 'counter-intuitive' discovery regarding drag on high performance gliders. Surprisingly, the 'fastest' wing surface is a wet sanded 800 grit mat surface, and NOT a polished and waxed surface. Seems the micro-roughness keeps the laminar flow boundary layer attached better--lower drag.

Also, never try to fly a waxed wing in the rain--the drops stand-up and produce horrible drag.You want the water to sheet, not bead-up

This is why golf balls have dimples. A boundary layer of air 'sticks' to the ball. Air bouncing on air makes the ball go farther. The first golf balls were leather and the older balls with cuts went farther sparking an investigation. 3M made some stick on film with texture to try to help aircraft reduce drag. I don't think it 'took off'. F-1 cars and Indy cars are 'sanded' as you say. My kids even 'sanded' their soapbox derby gravity race cars !

George

Hi nighthak. This is why tin is added to white metal. The tin is more resistant to wear thus leaving minute hill tops of tin in a groung mass of white metal (babitt). This does two things, first it reduces friction and second it allows oil to penertrate beetween the hill tops of tin.