BallReviews

General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: LaneHammer20 on December 13, 2006, 04:00:42 AM

Title: Covering finger holes on ball for hot water bath
Post by: LaneHammer20 on December 13, 2006, 04:00:42 AM
I was wondering what tape or whatever you use to cover or fill the holes on your bowling balls for when you use the hot water bath treatment. I was thinking duct tape, but i would like some experienced people to post what they do becuase i haven't done this with a ball before, and i want to deep clean my Hawgzilla because it has had about 100+ games on it, it hasn't lost any reaction yet but i still think it needs it.

Anyways any help on this would be greatly appreciated.
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"Nothing Hits the way my Hammers HIT", but then again "Nothing Rules Like my ROBO RULE"

Title: Re: Covering finger holes on ball for hot water bath
Post by: Bowler19 on December 13, 2006, 12:05:35 PM
That reminds me it is time for my equipment too!

Personally, I don't use anything and I know that I will get criticized for it.
I' ve never had a problem my self but I've likely been lucky.

I know some people bring the water level so it is just below the finger/thumb holes.  other than that I'm not sure. I know that a type of putty can be used but not sure what kind.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
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Bowler19
But be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.-W. Shakespear
Title: Re: Covering finger holes on ball for hot water bath
Post by: Elite_Digger on December 13, 2006, 12:14:24 PM
Lane, I went to Home Depot and got some waterproof duct tape and use that. I'd clean the ball around the holes so you get a good sticky contact. When I place the ball in the bath, I tend to put the holes down so any air trapped in there will help to keep the water out too. Haven't had too many problems doing it this way...... The only other thing, is the heat from the water will turn the adhesive on the duct tape to a real nice goo. Make sure you have something to help clean this off.
Remember to only use as hot a water as what comes out of your tap. DON'T use boiling water. A good squirt of Dawn dishwashing liquid in there helps. I soak em for 20-30 minutes. Bring it out, wipe it down, and make sure you wait a day before you use it.
You should notice a nice reaction from your Hawg again after you do this. I've done a One, Thing Returns, Voodoo, and a Scream/R this way and it works great.
Good luck!
Digs
PS-If you really want to do it right, they suggest bringing the coverstock down to 400 grit to "open up the pores", do the hot water treatment, and then bring your coverstock back up to factory finish.....
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Never argue with an idiot....They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!  
Title: Re: Covering finger holes on ball for hot water bath
Post by: rackattack on December 13, 2006, 04:13:02 PM
I've done many balls and have never covered the holes.I just run an absorbent cloth down the holes when they're clean and let the ball air dry with the holes facing down for 24 hrs.

Never had a problem.
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It's all about the X
Title: Re: Covering finger holes on ball for hot water bath
Post by: thfonz98 on December 13, 2006, 05:25:46 PM
silly puddy on top of the holes for me. works great!

ps of course for some reason my roommate has a 5lb block of the stuff and thus is how i started using it.
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Updated!- My ebay items (http://"http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZthfonz98QQhtZ-1")

Edited on 12/13/2006 6:26 PM
Title: Re: Covering finger holes on ball for hot water bath
Post by: LaneHammer20 on December 13, 2006, 05:26:21 PM
you know that silly puddy thing sounds like a great idea
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"Nothing Hits the way my Hammers HIT", but then again "Nothing Rules Like my ROBO RULE"

Title: Re: Covering finger holes on ball for hot water bath
Post by: thfonz98 on December 13, 2006, 05:28:19 PM
just smooth down the edges of the globs of puddy to create a seal.  Never had a problem when using the hot water in a bucket method.

You have to be careful if using puddy with the dishwasher though as it cant really stand up to a direct dishwasher spray and will pop off.  If you have an older dishwasher WITHOUT an upper spray arm you can put the holes facing up with the puddy and it will stay on.  I used to do it but now have a newer dishwasher.
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www.bowlingballexchange.com
Updated!- My ebay items (http://"http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZthfonz98QQhtZ-1")

Edited on 12/13/2006 6:30 PM
Title: Re: Covering finger holes on ball for hot water bath
Post by: Moon57 on December 13, 2006, 05:54:39 PM
I use tyvek tape left over from my house siding job. I don't want to take a chance on water getting trapped between the od of the finger inserts and the hole. Like somebody else said, do it 24 hrs before your going use it. If it can wick oil in it can wick water in. If it bleeds a little color the first one or two times it's ok.

Dick
Title: Re: Covering finger holes on ball for hot water bath
Post by: rhinotec on December 14, 2006, 01:15:44 AM
I use the Green automotive paint tape from 3M. thfonz98, would playdough work as well as silly putty?
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When the pins start throwing stuff at me is when I'll quit bowling.
Title: Re: Covering finger holes on ball for hot water bath
Post by: dizzyfugu on December 14, 2006, 04:11:27 AM
I also do not cover the holes when I soak my balls in hot water.

I had a discussion about de-oiling methods at home at my pro shop recently, and the most "professional" at-home approach appears to be a bath in hot water, low temperature 1st, then the main course at 60°C, and thereafter a tour in a warm (not hot!) oven - the ball will already be warmed up but may have soaked up water in the coverstock's pores. But the dry oven heat will get it out of the ball thoroughly.

In fact, a pro shop guy measured ball weight before and after the 2nd step oven treatment with a freshly bathed EPX-T1 with the pro shop's do do scale. To his (and also my) shock, the ball lost almost 6 ounces of weight after the oven tour! Must be oil and mainly water from the bucket!

I cannot tell if this is also true for other balls, since the EPX has a spongy coverstock - but water absorbtion might be an issue. But I do not think that you can fight it through hole covers. The coverstock in itself will suck up the water.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
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Title: Re: Covering finger holes on ball for hot water bath
Post by: chetski139 on August 26, 2022, 11:12:41 AM
I'm a little new at this, but I've been using appropriately sized rubber/neoprene  bottle stoppers/hole plugs.  I just tap them snuggly into the holes and pull them out afterwards.