Bowling Ball Cleaning
By litefrozen
Urethane, Reactive Resin, Particle, Epoxy!
These are some of the materials those magic bullets we call bowling
balls are made of these days.
Bowling balls now are marvels of technology from the computer-designed
cores to the hi-tech coverstocks incasing them. With the addition of the
right layout these factors have given the bowler of today equipment with
incredible performance.
One of the keys to keeping this performance at its peak is something as
simple as cleaning it. I hear it more and more often now “My ball
doesn’t hook anymore!â€
While many factors contribute to a balls performance or lack there of. A
dirty, oil soaked ball is a big one. Two of the main features of today
ball coverstocks are the high coefficient of friction they produce and
the porosity of the materials.
The coefficient of friction refers to how the ball grabs the dry lane
surface. This friction also helps grab any dirt and gunk along the way.
From the curtain in back to the pickup belts and all the way back to the
ball return. All these places get oil transfer from the balls on them.
Also you have the wear on all the rubber and plastic parts giving off
bits of material mixing with that oil.
Not to mention all the dust and dirt floating around. Just think about
the channel, How many times have you seen it get swept out! Your ball
can pick up this all.
Today’s balls are also very porous, they soak up lane oil like a sponge.
In fact take a look at a sponge and think of it as a microscopic view of
the ball surface. When you wipe a dirty countertop with a sponge it
soaks up the liquids and any solids get trapped in the holes.
The coverstock of the ball is very similar. It draws oil from the
surface of the ball to help create more friction with the lane surface.
This oil will start building up in the coverstock. Till it gets
saturated with oil or what’s commonly called “Oil soakedâ€.
Also the microscopic pores start getting plugged from dirt build up, now
the oil will just sit on the ball surface. The ball will now have less
hook and poor performance.
So cleaning of the balls surface is important. It helps keep your balls
performance up and consistent.
The best time to clean a ball is as soon as possible after you get done
bowling. Everything will be fresh on the surface of the ball. The oil
will still be close to the surface and any grime will be easier to get
off.
Also by cleaning them before you put them in your ball bag, you’ll keep
the inside of your bag cleaner too! Remember the longer it sits, the
more the oil can soak in.
Every bowler should have a towel in their bag and a bottle of cleaner.
The towel can be just about any kind. I prefer a nice size terry cloth
one. Also one that’s becoming popular is the “micro-fiber†towel.
The towel is not just for cleaning your ball either. During bowling have
your towel in your bowling hand when you pick up your ball. This will
help keep your fingers clean of oil and grime. This can get into the
finger and thumbholes and affect your grip.
Now for cleaners to have in your bag, I would stick with ones that are
acceptable by the USBC for use during sanctioned competition.
This saves some trouble if someone complains about you cleaning your
ball during bowling. (Also watch for some tournaments/leagues that have
their own rules about cleaning during play.)
The list of acceptable products is too long for here. You can go to the
USBC website and get the whole list at
(
http://www.bowl.com/specs/ballcleaner.aspx).
I’ve tried many of the products and a couple I would recommend are-
neo-tacâ„¢ HOOK-IT and a bottle of rubbing alcohol. Hook-it is a strong
cleaner that makes a ball tacky again and deep cleans it well too. (Try
not to get it on your inserts!)
The alcohol comes in handy for cleaning out finger and thumbholes or
just as a general-purpose solvent.
As for the cleaning itself most cleaners come in a spray bottle. Sit
your ball on your towel or another one. This is so that if any of the
cleaner runs off it wont make a mess.
Then just spray the cleaner on the ball then wait a moment. Let the
cleaner soak in some to loosen everything up. Now take your towel a rub
it around till the surface is clean and any film disappears.
You should also once a week or once a month depending on how much you
bowl. Deep clean your ball. I recommend using Tracks “Clean ‘N Dull†it
will draw oil out of the ball.
“Hot Water & Dawn†is another popular method. Tape over the holes on the
ball and place it in a bucket or sink etc. Then fill it with hot water
and Dawn dishwashing liquid, the oil will then start coming out.
A word about the polishing machines at the lanes they are polishers.
Putting your dirty ball in it will more likely drive the dirt deeper in
to the pores of the ball. Plus the oils and the dirt will get on the
buffing wheel gumming it up. If you need to use the machine clean the
ball off first then use the polisher it will polish better.
Remember there are many cleaners and methods pick the ones that work
best for you.
PS-
The bowling_grit_chart.pdf is just a grit comparison chart of bowling products etc. It doesnt have info on cleaning techniques or methods.
Edited on 5/24/2007 2:23 PM
