Types of Topsheet and Sponge

Removing the topsheet from sponge isn't possible AFAIK.

Cole (www.colestt.com), zeropong.com, ppgear.com are all great sources for topsheets + sponges.  You don't get to choose rubber formulation or pip structure directly, but the topsheets available cover a pretty big range of playing characteristics so let that be your guide.

One factor you do have control over is thickness.  Some topsheets come in a single thickness but with the Palio cj8000 topsheet in particular you can choose the thickness - Palio cj8000c is the thinnest (1.4 mm).

With sponges of course you have your choice of hardness from 35 on up.

To get a sense of how a topsheet plays, look at reviews for rubbers that use the topsheet.  Another soft topsheet that comes to mind is globe 999 / 999t - the rubber by the same name uses this topsheet on a few different sponges.

You can also easily search the forum for reviews on particular topsheet / sponge combos - a few tried and true combinations being cj8000 over quattro or saviga sponge, and globe on quattro sponge.  Those reviews can tell you also how particular hardnesses work with the different topsheets - believe it or not some topsheets actually play better with a slightly harder sponge.  Whether or not you plan to glue or treat the sponge also will influence sponge type and hardness choice, depending on your preferences.