Newbie with quick question (acetone)

[Vince805]

Hello, I am new to this forum (well this is my first bowling forum) and this may be a stupid question but i honestly have no idea and need help. I bowl 1 night a week and am using a Columbia 300 Action Packed. (had it since they came out) I know its a older ball but here is my problem. For the first few leagues i newer really cleaned it or nothing and i bowled consistently. Then one night it just didn't wanna hook at all. More oil then usual i don't know. So i took it to the shop i got it from which is in a different bowling alley. The guy told me its pretty "scorched" and cleaned it real quick for me for free. So the next night i used it i bowled better then i ever have 298, 245, 246. the next couple weeks after similar scores all between 200-250. then one week again no hook. The guy at the pro shop told me just clean it with some acetone and youll be good. So i did and have been using it and works great. Is was talking to one of the league guys and was like yeah i use acetone and never really had a bad game since. He told me its illegal to clean you ball with this. I did some research before posting and only can fine its illegal because its softens the coverstock and can damage the ball. I dont know much about this but what do they mean by "soften" coverstock. And should i stop using it seeing it has brought my ball back to life as far as i can tell so far. Or is it just time for a new ball? Thanks. sorry for the long story lol. Hope everyone understands what im trying to say. Also i dont know if you need to know but i have a 215 average, 17mph ball speed, med rev bowler.

[bowl1820]

He told me its illegal to clean you ball with this. I did some research before posting and only can fine its illegal because its softens the coverstock and can damage the ball. I dont know much about this but what do they mean by "soften" coverstock.

Soften: To Make or become less hard.

The bowling equipment rules state that the balls surface hardness shall not be less than 72 (measured with Shore
durometer, type D).

Repeated use of Acetone will "Soften" the plastic the ball is made out of, so it's no longer in spec. with the rules. It's said it will also melt the surface and plug up the pores of the surface and smooth it some what.

You should check the Bowling-Ball-Cleaning-and-Maintenance thread for info on better ways to clean and keep the performance of the ball.
http://www.bowlingboards.com/threads/10288-Bowling-Ball-Cleaning-and-Maintenance




And should i stop using it seeing it has brought my ball back to life as far as i can tell so far. Or is it just time for a new ball?

You should stop using it yes, if you don't. just don't use it at the lanes, you don't want caught by the wrong person who would make big stink about it.

If you get a new ball don't do it. Clean your ball with a good cleaner after bowling and when needed do a good deep cleaning to remove oil.

[billf]

Welcome. You have your answer now I hope you stick around awhile and contribute to the fun.

[Vince805]

Thank you very much for the quick reply....Like i said sorry if these questions are stupid but i really dont know. i been bowling for YEARS and kinda sad i just go buy a high end ball and been good (well above 200 average) with just about anything ive had. So if the ball hardness gets below that number is that like "cheating" or is it a disadvantage to the bowler? I notice now that the ball seems smoother and more of a shine then it did before. But i think i may get a new ball and start over. Thinking Brunswick Nexxus or something else with alot of hook good on heavy oil house shots. I used to be able to stand far left and throw it out over middle arrow and have it come back. now im a bit right and throwing over right third arrow.

[CrimsonEncounter]

There is no such thing as a stupid question. We all had to ask something that we thought was stupid before.

[The Mayor]

bowl1820 is exactly right, a great answer! Just to add one thing to what he said.. it is an EXTREMELY dangerous substance that can easily be absorbed into your skin. It goes straight to your liver and can cause some serious damage with prolonged use. Not worth it!

[Demoman]

There is all sorts of approved cleaners and wipes you can use that are relatively inexpensive. I personally use powerhouse adrenaline ball steroid wipes and highly reccomend them for your needs.

[J Anderson]

Thank you very much for the quick reply....Like i said sorry if these questions are stupid but i really dont know. i been bowling for YEARS and kinda sad i just go buy a high end ball and been good (well above 200 average) with just about anything ive had. So if the ball hardness gets below that number is that like "cheating" or is it a disadvantage to the bowler? I notice now that the ball seems smoother and more of a shine then it did before. But i think i may get a new ball and start over. Thinking Brunswick Nexxus or something else with alot of hook good on heavy oil house shots. I used to be able to stand far left and throw it out over middle arrow and have it come back. now im a bit right and throwing over right third arrow.

If the ball doesn't meet the hardness standard it is cheating!

That said the rule went into effect in the seventies after a pro bowler, who had previously been strictly a journeyman, won about five titles in one season, and then revealed that the secret of his success was that he had taken a plastic ball and soaked it in solvent to soften the coverstock. The "soaker" balls were banned the next season and the hardness rule instituted. The ball manufacturers had been watching and soon came out with urethane balls that had the same reaction as the "soakers" but still met the hardness standard and we've been in a bowling ball arms race ever since.

Depending on the lane conditions a ball that is too soft may be a disadvantage to the bowler at the same time. On dry lanes a ball with too much traction can be a very bad thing.

[billf]

Don't get rid of that ball just yet. Find and follow the deep cleaning your ball thread. A good soaking may just move you further left again.

[Vince805]

bowl1820 is exactly right, a great answer! Just to add one thing to what he said.. it is an EXTREMELY dangerous substance that can easily be absorbed into your skin. It goes straight to your liver and can cause some serious damage with prolonged use. Not worth it!

Oh wow. Did not know that......Just a question in reguard to acetone, The shop i got my ball from he had bowled for god knows how many years and he uses acetone and simple green to clean balls in his shop. How can he do that seeing its illegal "bowling rules"


There is no such thing as a stupid question. We all had to ask something that we thought was stupid before.

Thank you. Wish everyone saw it that way. some think if you dont know it your stupid and talk to you like your dumb.


There is all sorts of approved cleaners and wipes you can use that are relatively inexpensive. I personally use powerhouse adrenaline ball steroid wipes and highly reccomend them for your needs.

Thank you im going to look into that


If the ball doesn't meet the hardness standard it is cheating!

That said the rule went into effect in the seventies after a pro bowler, who had previously been strictly a journeyman, won about five titles in one season, and then revealed that the secret of his success was that he had taken a plastic ball and soaked it in solvent to soften the coverstock. The "soaker" balls were banned the next season and the hardness rule instituted. The ball manufacturers had been watching and soon came out with urethane balls that had the same reaction as the "soakers" but still met the hardness standard and we've been in a bowling ball arms race ever since.

Depending on the lane conditions a ball that is too soft may be a disadvantage to the bowler at the same time. On dry lanes a ball with too much traction can be a very bad thing.

That crazy!!! see im learning alot here i didnt know. Thanks. Then i must say there are days i think it does help like as of lately but i am going to stop using that stuff and try the wipes Demoman mentioned.


Don't get rid of that ball just yet. Find and follow the deep cleaning your ball thread. A good soaking may just move you further left again.

I will do that. thank you. I would like to be able to move further left again. I liked throwing from that side. I mean adjustments are a must in this game as lanes break down and i have come to figure this out and what to do but if i had a choice id like to start far left. I have also thought of getting a second ball just so i dont have to make as many adjustments by the 3rd game But i have been doing just fine using one ball. Alot of the guys ask me how do i do it with only one ball. Im like idk. Some of these guys have anywhere from 3 to 6 balls!! only if i could afford that maybe i'd have 3 lol.

[Vince805]

So, I bowl tonight and there is a question I forgot to ask....Last week I used acetone to clean it. Is there anything I can use at my house to get that off like simple green, alcohol, or just use it as is till I buy the wipes for my ball tomorrow. Forgot pro shop is closed Mondays.

[bowl1820]

theres nothing to take off so dont worry about it, acetone evaporates so theres nothing there.

if you just want to clean the ball, the simple green or alcohol will work okay.

[Vince805]

Ok. Thanks alot for all your help. Now i know this for next time/next ball i get. Which im still not sure what it will be yet, So many out there and im still trying to understand the differences and everything. Every ball ive owned has been just off of asking does it have a high hook rating. But im starting to learn lil by lil there is so much more then that lol. Some tell me virtual gravity nano would be good for me, another says storm vivid. Another brunswick nexxus or nexxxus. I just dont got a clue. trying to figure out what would make my game better then it is and more consistant

[Demoman]

I always tell anyone looking for a ball the same thing - find a pro shop within a alley and have the owner watch you bowl and afterwards discuss the possibilities for you and then go from there. Any of the major brands will have a great ball for you - what you should get depends on how you bowl IMO.

[billf]

I agree with Demoman. All the balls you listed are great balls but all are for heavy oil. Every house is different for their house shot. Even once you decide on a ball a good driller will want to see you throw to make sure he matches the layout to your particular style.

[Vince805]

I have been told that the lane conditions where i primarily bowl are heavy oil, unless they haven't been oiled of course, so im guessing thats why they suggested those balls. But thanks for the advise. Im going in later today. i will have him do that and see what he says. OHHHH Also i had no idea different balls had so many different drilling patterns to match what the bowler wants out of the ball. I just found out a few months ago when i started looking into this stuff more that mine was just drilling for strong arc/hook I believe he said. When i first got it drilled idk when ago he just took my hand/finger measurements and thats it came back and it was done. I don't have any complaints. Well not really