Deep cleaning the easy way

[billf]

Forget the sink or a five gallon bucket. This is easier and faster to clean multiple bals.
http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s413/billf99/oilbath_zps08a67987.jpg[/URL]

[SouthpawTRK]

Great idea bill! What did you use to plug/cover up the holes?

[billf]

I don't cover or plug them up. As long as they dry completely, no harm done.

[Jaescrub]

Ha ha ha that's great. I vote pic of the week. Might have to try this some time ;)

[billf]

Surprisingly my wife didn't have a problem with this. Said it's fine until I finish remodeling that bathroom.

[STRYKER]

just out of curiosity what kind of soap did you use ?

[billf]

Dawn dishwashing liquid. I rub it into the balls and add it to the running water. After they soak I sand them appropriately. When fully dry I clean the residue with a 50-50 mix of Simple Green and isopropyl alcohol. Then I add the called for polish. The Revenge doesn't call for polish but it gets seven coats of Turtle Wax polishing compound. All the others end up OOB finish.
I actually use the rough buff polish from Brunswick and the Turtle Wax for the high gloss.

[Tampabaybob]

Glad you cut off the part of the photo of you taking a bath with your balls !!! LOL

[billf]

Bob, my sister called and asked what I was doing. "I'm in the bathroom washing my balls." She didn't hesitate, "Do you have a dry one to go bowling with me?" They all know me too well. The tub idea surprised some though.

[serial bowl]

How long do you let them soak ?

[billf]

At least 15 minutes however if I get busy they will go longer.

[scruffwhor]

how do you know when the oil starts leaving the ball??? what does the water or ball look like when that starts happening???

[Bendial]

I did this to my misfit and marauder madness recently and was pleased with the results. Reading into it further on the internet though there are a lot of mixed opinions out there as to whether or not this method is safe, or if its damaging to the ball. A lot of people say its damaging and will separate the core from the other material over time...other people say its perfectly safe

[billf]

I did this to my misfit and marauder madness recently and was pleased with the results. Reading into it further on the internet though there are a lot of mixed opinions out there as to whether or not this method is safe, or if its damaging to the ball. A lot of people say its damaging and will separate the core from the other material over time...other people say its perfectly safe

I've been doing this for 7 years with no ill effects. It's just heat and not nearly as hot as a rejuvenator oven a pro shop uses. Now if you boil the water, then it will damage the ball.


how do you know when the oil starts leaving the ball??? what does the water or ball look like when that starts happening???

The water gets darker, even black if it's real bad. The balls look shiny, just like all wet objects lol. When dry the cover looks just like it should, i.e. shiny will be shiny again and dull will be dull.

[scruffwhor]

has anybody tried adding oxy clean to the water when performing this deep clean? what do you think would happen??

[billf]

I haven't tried oxy-clean...yet. I may try it with an older ball. That way if it doesn't work I won't be out a good ball. If it does work, then I have another ball ready for donation.

[GoodGravy]

Went out yesterday and noticed my Reign of Power was not moving as much as it had a week earlier....amazing once you hit the saturation threshold on a ball how quickly the friction point/hook fades...Let it soak yesterday and headed out to practice later today.

Over the past few months, I have been using the 'Hot Water' soaking method and have had really good results. Unfortunately, I am getting a lot of nicks and scratches (normal wear and tear) so I am going to have to break down and head to the pro-shop for a resurfacing......

[Bendial]

An update on this, I did it to my marauder madness and the finger bridge cracked a few weeks later. Won't be doing this again.

[billf]

An update on this, I did it to my marauder madness and the finger bridge cracked a few weeks later. Won't be doing this again.

Totally unrelated. If the bridge is at least a 1/4" wide DV8 will warranty it. If it's not, then the driller should. It's either a driller error or a manufacturer's defect and has zero to do with getting wet.

[DLP]

Did this with the Cyclone last night since it's been thrown anywhere from 6-9 games a week since March. Didn't realize how dull the ball was getting until I fished it out of the tub and dried it off.

You know, either way I say this it sounds silly..
How often should I look at bathing? vs How often should I bathe my balls?

[billf]

I do mine every 60-75 games. Any longer seems to have too negative of an affect on my game. For awhile that meant all of them once a week.

[GoodGravy]

Read an interesting article on soaking...seems to be catching on....however, the author suggested using a 3gal bucket, not a 5 gal. Not sure if there is any real reason to do this other than 3gal may be easier to handle (less water equals lighter weight if you have to pick up the bucket).

I would think that with less water, it would cool off quicker and may not be as effective....dunno??

[DLP]

Using a 3 gal bucket is at least a point for water conversation over the 5 gal or the bath tub (if only doing a single ball).

[JDHamm85]

Gonna try this with all 3 of my balls. They all have vastly different levels of age; one is about a month and a half old but probably has close to 100 games on it already, one is about 5-6 years old, and the other is about 13-14 years old.

[JaxBowlingGuy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABBdU2Ah9U4

Basically same method I used to use. Works great and you would be amazed at how much it brings the ball back.

[GoodGorilla]

I don't cover or plug them up. As long as they dry completely, no harm done.

You mean the water doesn't soak into the area below the coverstock?

[billf]

Never really gave it much thought but haven't had an issue at all yet.

[GoodGorilla]

Never really gave it much thought but haven't had an issue at all yet.

I wonder, because I was tempted to throw all my balls in the tub like that but the area under the coverstock looks like it would absorb water. I wonder if a ball manufacturer would know.

[GoodGorilla]

I just spoke to a ball specialist at brunswick. He says to not submerge the ball in water or use dish soap. What he said to do was this:

Fill the tub or sink with water between 90-120 degrees. Water seal your ball using a plastic shoping bag and tyeing it off. Submerge the ball for 15 minutes, take the ball out and observe how much oil is in the bag. Repeat the process until there is little or no oil in the bag, then resurface the ball.

He also said that the area under the coverstock can absorb water. He didn't say anything else about it.

As a personal note, I have used those bags for ice packs many times. Only way to water seal them is to use two bags. Tie one off, then tie one off over that one. The plastic bleeds.

[MICHAEL]

Glad you cut off the part of the photo of you taking a bath with your balls !!! LOL

VERY GOOD..... LOL.... Is that the Top of his head just showing!! Maybe under water, holding his breath!! LOL VERY funny Tampabay, bob!!!

[mike_thomas93]

Wow. Incredible. Definitely bonny.