One filament versus a split filament or a split film
Slit film and monofilament are common terms in the industry when describing fiber styles.
Slit film fields have fibers created from a single piece of flat plastic which create a canopy over the infill. Each fiber from this rake-shaped design is constructed to break down which makes the fibers finer and softer over time. This canopy creates a nice surface for painting in the first few years after installation. It creates a flat uniform surface that helps to keep paint out of the infill and also allows for fairly easy paint removal. In the later years of these fields, however, removing paint becomes a bit more difficult due to the imperfections from the splitting fibers. Think of washing your truck compared to washing your hands after working in mud all day. The surface of your truck is flat and smooth, making it easier to clean, while your hands have many more crevasses where the dirt can get trapped. Like cleaning your hands, removing paint from an older slit film field is not impossible; it just takes a bit more work.
