Author Topic: Acetone on bowling ball (Read 34115 times)

justinmill14 · « **on:** July 20, 2009, 02:40:19 AM »

Was at a tournament this week and went in to the Pro Shop, got to talking to the guy there and I mentioned to him that I had a ball spinner at my house. He told me that if I want to take polish off my ball to go to lowes and get some acetone, he said it will take anything off of the balls surface including polish and glue. Does anyone have any experience with this and know if this is safe or not. Thanks

sdbowler · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2009, 10:45:07 AM »

I know a lot of shops that use it to remove super glue if it gets on the ball as well as the pencil marks. As far as the coverstock goes I don't know. I was told to be very careful not to use to much so it could be true.
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Kyle

AngloBowler · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2009, 10:55:03 AM »

Surely if you're not allowed to clean your ball with acetone, then you're not allowed to touch the surface of the ball with it at all?
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Reporting from England

« **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2009, 11:05:10 AM »

The only thing we use it for is to remove super glue.

It's way too harsh to use for anything else. Removing polish is done more safely with a very mild abrasive, such as 1000-2000 abralon, or equivalent.

After that you can adjust the surface to wherever you need it, but I suspect if you're removing polish 1000-2000 may be your desired result anyway...

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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Pro Shop Staff

www.brunswickbowling.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.

Kid Jete · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2009, 11:06:46 AM »

It was known to soften the cover of the old polyester allowing them to hook more. I don't think there have been any significant tests on the new technology to see what negative effect it has on the cover. My proshop operator said he killed a balls reaction by using a cleaner he didn't realize had acetone in it. I use it to take off glue and smooth out my thumb hole once in a while. Remember it is illegal to use on the ball as a cleaner.

clt2244 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2009, 11:08:02 AM »

Acetone does take polish off the ball but repeated use of it will break down the cover stock and start to eat away from the ball, when the pros only had plastic balls way back when, they use to use acetone to soften up the balls surface to make them hook more

I would not use Acetone (nor would i promote its use) but rubbing alcohol is the best way to clean off a ball surface, its even better with a ball spinner, i have a spinner and have used rubbing alcohol for years and it has to be the best and one of the cheaper methods of cleaning a ball
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Only throw the good stuff, Roto/Global.
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leftyinsnellville · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2009, 11:39:26 AM »

Skip the acetone, go with Lanemasters/Legends ball cleaner. That stuff will take off anything, won't damage your ball, and is not prohibited by USBC. It's got a pretty strong chemical smell though. Don't use it if you're sensitive to things like that.

Minnesota Don · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2009, 12:16:57 PM »

Re the Lane Masters ball cleaner. It does a great job but is NOT legal for USBC use and is Flammable. I have used it for years now and would not use anything else but you can only use it before you start to bowl and after per their own label.

don coyote · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2009, 01:02:32 PM »

The pro shop in town will NOT use acetone, but uses Methyl Ethyl Ketone for removing Super Glue. It is ONLY for removing super glue, NOT polish.

Lane Masters ball cleaner IS still Legal for USBC use, but NOT during competition.

Atochabsh · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2009, 12:44:00 AM »

Now that's funny. A shop will not use acetone but will use MEK, since MEK is much more dangerous to handle then acetone.

Locke · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2009, 01:36:07 AM »

Acetone is safe to use on resins. It does not eat away at the cover. I wouldn't recommend using it just because it is illegal to use, but it will not damage a resin ball. It will soften and can damage non organic polymers such as polyester and urethane. Since resin is a carbon compound acetone does not have the same effect. It is a great ball cleaner but it is still illegal because it works so well it would make all ball cleaners obsolete. I have spoken to several drillers and also even a couple ball designers that have confirmed this. They take the same stance I do. Don't do it because it is illegal, but it won't damage a resin ball.
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Always be sincere, even when you don't mean it

The Cell Pimp

tc300 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2009, 04:47:51 AM »

i use it to remove glue, soften my finger grips and remove stickiness from tape in thumb hole... gota be really careful bout the thumb... if you use the vinyl thumb slugs, it will soften them and make the thumb bigger

AngloBowler · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2009, 05:49:18 AM »

quote:
It will soften and can damage non organic polymers such as polyester and urethane. Since resin is a carbon compound acetone does not have the same effect.

Polyester, generally refers to this.

Polyurethane, is this.

Both are organic insofar as they contain Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and some nitrogen. Don't talk rubbish, at least, not when it's so easily refutable. I can't be bothered to go into it, but the overwhelming likelihood is that reactive resins are chemically similar to their predecessors.

Also as previously stated, by me. Acetone: Illegal for use on the surface of a ball at any time, the intended purpose of applying it need not be for cleaning.
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Reporting from England

Strider · « **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2009, 05:56:43 AM »

quote:
Acetone is safe to use on resins. It does not eat away at the cover. I wouldn't recommend using it just because it is illegal to use, but it will not damage a resin ball. It will soften and can damage non organic polymers such as polyester and urethane. Since resin is a carbon compound acetone does not have the same effect. It is a great ball cleaner but it is still illegal because it works so well it would make all ball cleaners obsolete. I have spoken to several drillers and also even a couple ball designers that have confirmed this. They take the same stance I do. Don't do it because it is illegal, but it won't damage a resin ball.
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Always be sincere, even when you don't mean it

The Cell Pimp

I don't think so. I believe "resin" only refers to the additives that make modern reactive resin balls react the way they do. They are still a urethane based material. In addition to being illegal, extended contact will not be good for any bowling ball. I'd like you to send me and communication you've had with a ball designer or manufacturer that says otherwise.
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Penn State Proud

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive

J_w73 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 21, 2009, 12:23:47 PM »

"reactive resin" bowling balls are urethane as far as I know.. They just incorporate plasticizers during the manufacturing to create small voids in the coverstock to make the ball more porous and soak up oil and hook more.
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16-17 mph,350 rpm,PAP 5 1/2 x 3/8up, HighGame 300 x 3, High Series 782
Book Average 215 / 205,PBA Xperience ave180

Author Topic: Acetone on bowling ball (Read 34115 times)

justinmill14

Acetone on bowling ball

sdbowler

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AngloBowler

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Kid Jete

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clt2244

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leftyinsnellville

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Minnesota Don

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don coyote

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Atochabsh

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Locke

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tc300

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AngloBowler

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Strider

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J_w73

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