Approaches...

[Phonetek]

I was surprised to see after we had the lanes done that the they didn't put anything on the approaches. I figured there was some sort of finish that they put on them. All they did was hit it with a floor sander then a buffing pad made out of like a scotch brite pad material on a floor buffer. After that it was swept, vacuumed and damp mopped. It's merely bare wood. I guess the shine comes from use?

[Phonetek]

Someone did ask how often we oil the approaches. LOL Great just great, as if we didn't have enough to think about when getting ready to bowl. Now we have to wonder what pattern is laid down on the approaches too!

[GrumpyCatFace]

I’m very surprised that there isn’t some kind of varnish or sealant on them.

[Phonetek]

I wasn't there the entire time when they did the finish on the lanes. The next day when I went in there was still sawdust on the approach. When I was down there putting the end caps, foul lights and ball returns back in the only thing I seen was some glue in spots but nothing that appeared to be a sealer. Being up close and personal they appear to be just bare smoothly sanded wood. That's what they felt like the first game I bowled on them too. I can't say I ever felt that before. Good thing I don't slide much because it would be difficult. I did almost face plant the first ball I threw and so did my son LOL Now that nearly a week has gone by they are getting smoother. Thinking about it now, maybe I shouldn't bowl on them for a bit or my shoes will get worn down quickly?

[got_a_300]

Hmmmm if I remember correctly back when we had the wood lanes and
wooden approaches when they cut the lanes and refinished them they also
refinished the approaches and put a shiny finish on the approaches also.

I would 1000 times rather have the wooden approaches as too have the
synthetic approaches we have now I just can not get the slide like I use
to get with wooden ones.

[LowDown]

I just can not get the slide like I use
to get with wooden ones.

Agree 1000 percent

[Timmyb]

I would 1000 times rather have the wooden approaches as too have the
synthetic approaches we have now I just can not get the slide like I use
to get with wooden ones.

The house I bowl has synthetic lanes and wood approaches. This is by far my preference. The same family owns another house that is all synthetic. It's okay in fall and winter, but if you ever go there on a humid day, beware!

[Phonetek]

I confirmed with the head mechanic that the approaches where I work were just sanded, then buffed with that scotch brite pad wheel like I said. I guess I didn't miss anything. Nothing was put on them, no kind of sealer or anything. I will say they are super easy to clean now. Found some dried up soda foot prints on there today. A little approach cleaner spray and a rag and it was gone, good as new.

Since I have a very short slide almost none, always have always will I never had any problem with any approaches per say. Yeah of course when stepping in something I'll still take a header. Kinda like I did when that buttface spilled beer under my chair a few months back soaking my shoes and I didn't notice until I was kissing the end cap.

[GrumpyCatFace]

That exposed wood is going to be extremely delicate. Any spill will stain it.

[Phonetek]

That exposed wood is going to be extremely delicate. Any spill will stain it.

You would think that but it easily wipes clean. It's pretty easy to see foreign gunk on them with the black lights on because it lights up, kinda like police find DNA at a crime scene. Hopefully on the approaches it stays limited to spills and everyone keeps their DNA to themselves. =)

[fordman1]

If you are sanding wood approaches you need to put "approach finish" on them after you are done.

[Phonetek]

If you are sanding wood approaches you need to put "approach finish" on them after you are done.

Agreed but it seems someone failed to tell them to do that because they didn't. LOL With the black lights on I noticed some glue smears because the lit right up. I took some 0000 grit steel wool to remove them, they came right off and that part looked the same as the rest when I was done.

I'm more of a foot planter than a slider, only slide a little. In all honesty they aren't bad how they are. Some of our Sunday regs slide pretty far and they didn't say anything about it. In the end, it will probably end up wearing my rubber heels down faster though.

[chip82901]

I would rather have to change soles and heels to slide than what we have in a house 15 miles from me. They started buffing the lanes with duraslide when they opened the place 18 years ago and it's incredibly slick. Last time I bowled over there I used a 2 sole and 2 heel and still couldn't stop. I normally wear a 6 and 2 pretty much everywhere (I don't slide much and I like to stop). I remember when they held Wyoming High 5 there shortly after they opened and guys wanted to bowl in their golf shoes!

[GrumpyCatFace]

Wow that’s slick. I use a 10 sole, 9 heel. Can’t slide at all in an 8. At least not then “microfiber” thing you get with new shoes.

[JaxBowlingGuy]

I would rather have to change soles and heels to slide than what we have in a house 15 miles from me. They started buffing the lanes with duraslide when they opened the place 18 years ago and it's incredibly slick. Last time I bowled over there I used a 2 sole and 2 heel and still couldn't stop. I normally wear a 6 and 2 pretty much everywhere (I don't slide much and I like to stop). I remember when they held Wyoming High 5 there shortly after they opened and guys wanted to bowl in their golf shoes!

I bowl a Tournament in MS each year and they buff/wax the synthetic approaches each day. It’s literally like an ice rink. Last 2 year I wore rubber soles and was still a little slick. I finally asked the mechanic this year why they do that and his response from to keep them from getting worn out.

[fordman1]

Sorry Rob but what is MS?

[JaxBowlingGuy]

Mississippi

[foreverincamo]

Where I bowl the approaches are super tacky at the beginning of the season, and wear in as league goes on. Sliding comfortably takes about the first month.