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Author Topic: Ball cleaning by soaking?  (Read 4648 times)

lakewood_jim

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Ball cleaning by soaking?
« on: November 18, 2003, 11:01:17 PM »
I tried the method of soaking my resin ball in hot water and dishwashing liquid 15 minutes each, 3 times, dried it off, let it air dry for 48 hours. Worked great! Restored the ball back to its original state (or close to it). My question: How often CAN\SHOULD I do this? I bowl once a week. I did notice the ball skidding a bit more towards the 3rd game but this may be due to carrydown. THX!
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duggre

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Re: Ball cleaning by soaking?
« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2003, 07:56:31 PM »
I would like to answer your question but I have
one little problem with your facts, your ball hooks
less in the third game? Im dumb founded. Please explain.
 The only thing possible is your a fairly new bowler and
left handed, and they are putting out a heavy-short oil
pattern. If your a right handed bowler and the your house is
putting out an extreme oil condition your ball is loading
up quick and the carry down is heavy. If anyone else hs an answer
for Jim please reply!
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Ball cleaning by soaking?
« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2003, 08:27:38 PM »
You can wash/clean the ball as often as you feel it is necessary.  It wont hurt the ball any that I know of.  Difficult to give you an exact timetable because of the different types of balls/surfaces and amounts of oil or games played.  I usually just watch my ball reaction and clean it when necessary.

As for the ball skidding in the 3rd game, that is probably due to carrydown.  In my leagues, on my teams, all of the bowlers play different lines/angles/hook and probably because of that, oil is pushed/carried all over into my area of play and I suffer from less hook usually about the middle of the 2nd game.
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charlest

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Re: Ball cleaning by soaking?
« Reply #3 on: November 19, 2003, 09:30:15 PM »
quote:
MI_2-AZ wrote:

You can wash/clean the ball as often as you feel it is necessary.  It wont hurt the ball any that I know of.  Difficult to give you an exact timetable because of the different types of balls/surfaces and amounts of oil or games played.  I usually just watch my ball reaction and clean it when necessary.


I'd agree with this. Keep the ball clean, especially, if you bowl on oil. It soaks into a matte or dull finish ball much faster than it does into a polished ball. We all have head oil and most have decent midlane oil. SO, wipe it off when it comes back with a good absorbent cloth like the micro-fober towel. Clean it with a bowling ball-specific cleaner or a degreaser like 409 after every league session, preferably before you put them back into your bag.

I'd suggest the hot water and soap treatment, once a month, to begin with.
Remember to keep the holes sealed or facing straight up, so water doesn't seem down into the core.
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lakewood_jim

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Re: Ball cleaning by soaking?
« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2003, 11:06:46 PM »
Thanks -
   I'll go with the once/month soaking. As far as 409... the cleaner? Will that absorb the surface oil sufficiently? Do I dilute it? Apply it with a rag and wipe off the excess or what? Thx.
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charlest

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Re: Ball cleaning by soaking?
« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2003, 07:29:18 AM »
quote:
Thanks -
   I'll go with the once/month soaking. As far as 409... the cleaner? Will that absorb the surface oil sufficiently? Do I dilute it? Apply it with a rag and wipe off the excess or what? Thx.


Many people claim success with household degreasers. They break up the oil and it is easily wiped away. Use it the way you normally use it. Spray it on the ball and wipe it or spray it on the rag and wipe the ball. WHatever, dude. Just use as little as you need.

I prefer bowling specific cleaners myself. Far too many to start listing them. Just don't get a polish/cleaner combination; get a straight cleaner.
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lakewood_jim

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Re: Ball cleaning by soaking?
« Reply #6 on: November 20, 2003, 07:42:50 AM »
Thanks - I'll go with the degreaser to clean it, once/month soak. Do you know of any sites that sell ball polish at a reasonable price and which polish is best?
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Doc Hollywood

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Re: Ball cleaning by soaking?
« Reply #7 on: November 20, 2003, 09:19:04 AM »
lakewood_jim - You may want to consider using the Elixir.  it will virtually stop the ball from absorbing oil into the coverstock.

Check out my website by clicking the link below my signature.

If you have questions email me.
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charlest

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Re: Ball cleaning by soaking?
« Reply #8 on: November 20, 2003, 07:41:47 PM »
Sorry, it's been so long. Elixir will definitely help, ESPECIALLY, but not only on all dull or sanded balls.
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alien

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Re: Ball cleaning by soaking?
« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2003, 12:31:56 PM »
quote:
Remember to keep the holes sealed or facing straight up, so water doesn't seem down into the core.
 


Maybe a silly question.  I have done this a couple time and I just put the whole ball into the water.  
What is the best way to seal the holes?  
If keeping the ball straight up; what about the balance hole; if there is one?
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charlest

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Re: Ball cleaning by soaking?
« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2003, 12:40:50 PM »
quote:
quote:
Remember to keep the holes sealed or facing straight up, so water doesn't seem down into the core.
 


Maybe a silly question.  I have done this a couple time and I just put the whole ball into the water.  
What is the best way to seal the holes?  
If keeping the ball straight up; what about the balance hole; if there is one?


Ive never done this, but something like wax would work, but many people suggest tape. I'd think swirling, spraying hot water would easily  remove the tape. There's a product in the hanging picture section of hardware stores, like Home Depot and Lowe's called Blue Tack. It's used to attach light things to walls and to attach monitor speakers to speaker stands. It would be good to seal the holes. I think it should not be affected by hot water, but that's just a guess on my part.

Children's clay might also work.

Re: the weight hole
It depends on how deep it is. If the inner core is exposed, seal it. I'd seal it as well as possible in any case.


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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Ball cleaning by soaking?
« Reply #11 on: November 21, 2003, 01:18:12 PM »
I found some waterproof first aid tape about 3/4 inch wide that I use.  Put two pieces overlapping over the thumbhole (to protect the Magic Carpet and other thumb tape that I have in there).  I dont worry about water getting into the fingerholes.
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I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
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Six decades of league bowling and still learning.

ABC/USBC Lifetime Member since Aug 1995.

ClutchClay

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Re: Ball cleaning by soaking?
« Reply #12 on: November 21, 2003, 03:00:38 PM »
I always heard to put the holes straight down so that water will not get in them.  Of course, the x-hole could be a problem depending on its location.
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charlest

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Re: Ball cleaning by soaking?
« Reply #13 on: November 21, 2003, 04:22:39 PM »
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Doc Hollywood

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Re: Ball cleaning by soaking?
« Reply #14 on: November 21, 2003, 09:40:56 PM »
Best way to plug the holes are with a tampon....LOL

Just kidding.

Go to the hardware store and either get cork or rubber stoppers.  They are usually tapered so they can fit a variety of hole sizes.


--------------------
Doc
Owner and Inventor of
DOC'S MAGIC BOWLING BALL ELIXIR
For more information click on the link below
http://home.comcast.net/~docsmagic/
or message me at:
http://Doc65@aol.com
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