Nail Polish Remover to clean ball? [Archive]

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SPS

09-13-2008, 01:50 AM

Ticker

09-13-2008, 02:39 AM

I have never tried it but I do believe it works. I would just search on Google to make sure that it doesn't wreck your ball, but I think you should be fine, as long as it's not a plastic ball.

kev3inp

09-13-2008, 04:30 AM

Check on bowl.com to make sure whatever brand you're using is legal. As for a cheap cleaner, a lot of people seem to like to use Simple Green, either with or without alcohol.

onefrombills

09-13-2008, 10:18 AM

Check on bowl.com to make sure whatever brand you're using is legal. As for a cheap cleaner, a lot of people seem to like to use Simple Green, either with or without alcohol.

I would go this route

liowkc

09-14-2008, 05:36 AM

kev3inp

09-14-2008, 10:23 AM

I am not sure of nail polish, but I think just using water to wash and wipe it would suffice. Here is an article that you may find useful:

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Clean-A-Bowling-Ball&id=786157

Wow, he soaks his after every 12 games. That's a lot of work. For that route, a lot of people seem to use the dishwasher. Just water wouldn't cut it, you need some kind of degreaser or something to cut the oil.

For heavy oil extraction, here in Florida, I put the ball outside in the heat and let it sweat, wiping it off every half hour or so. Some guys do this in their trunk, but I find a black garbage bag works pretty well. After the oil stops seeping out I clean it with my normal ball cleaner and we're done.

liowkc

09-17-2008, 09:23 PM

Yes, some people swear by tusing dishwashers with success. But it is best to avoid it since some dishwashers can reach pretty high temperatures.

Also remember to resurface your equipment, as a good resurfacing from a local pro shop also removes all the oil.

Baroncad

10-01-2008, 11:41 AM

Wow, he soaks his after every 12 games. That's a lot of work. For that route, a lot of people seem to use the dishwasher. Just water wouldn't cut it, you need some kind of degreaser or something to cut the oil.

For heavy oil extraction, here in Florida, I put the ball outside in the heat and let it sweat, wiping it off every half hour or so. Some guys do this in their trunk, but I find a black garbage bag works pretty well. After the oil stops seeping out I clean it with my normal ball cleaner and we're done.

Yeah, water alone won't the trick.

I've "sweated" mine in a window sill then after used a 1:3 of "simple green & water, then polish if need be.

Duke Harding

10-01-2008, 11:46 PM

I was told that non-acetone nail polish remover can be used to clean my Brunswick Power Groove. Is this a good, cheap method or should I be using something else? I don't want to ruin my ball, but I bowl maybe 6-10 games a week and I need to find a cheap method of cleaning it.

Thanks,

Acetone and non-acetone cleaner are illegal for USBC competition.
They change the hardness of the ball, and pose a health hazard.
non-acetone cleaner is good for cleaning finger grips, and thumb holes.
It will help cut the slickness from the grips, and allow a better grip.

You can't use either to clean the ball surface, though.

ArtVandelay

11-17-2008, 12:27 AM

Acetone and non-acetone cleaner are illegal for USBC competition.
They change the hardness of the ball, and pose a health hazard.
non-acetone cleaner is good for cleaning finger grips, and thumb holes.
It will help cut the slickness from the grips, and allow a better grip.

You can't use either to clean the ball surface, though.

+1

Ya know, I've heard so many different techniques and methods of cleaning a ball. I came to the conclusion that everyone has a different method, and who's to say what's right and what's wrong.

This is one of the better pages I've seen on cleaning bowling balls. (http://members.tripod.com/Tips_4_Tenpin/equipment/Balls/faq_balls.htm)

Commercial Ball Cleaners
Acceptable

Clean Shot - Earth Clean Systems
Maz's Ball Klean - David Mahaz
Oil B Gone - Pro-Tech Ind. Chem.
Perfect Grip - Bowling Concepts
Pro Grip - DBA Products
Protrac 19 - Richardson International Corp.
Reacta Clean - High Score Products
Reese Brothers Ball Clean
Strike It Clean - Bowl Products, Inc.
U-Clean U-Score - High Score Products
Clean Shot Reactive Ball Cleaner - Earth Clean Systems
Pro-Grip Reactive Ball Cleaner - DBA Products
Squeeky Clean - The Wax Shop
Bowling Ball Cleaner - Forrest Enterprises, Inc.

Not Acceptable

Strike Power - Veterans Products
SS-25
Varsol
Dull It - INX Corp.

General Solvents and Other Chemicals
Acceptable

Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl)
"Simple Green"
"Windex" window cleaner
"Armor-All"

Not Acceptable

Other Alcohols (i.e. Denatured Ethyl Alcohol, etc.)
Acetone (nail polish remover)
Kerosene, Gasoline, other fuels
Ethers, Esters and Ketone (MEK)
Most commercial solvents (Xylol, lacquer thinner, mineral spirits, chloroform, Methyl Hydrate)
"Cutex" non-acetone (nail polish remover)

Some people have said rubbing alcohol is the best method, because it soaks into the ball mixing with the oils, and then evaporates quickly taking the oil with it. Others (including the website I just linked to) have said that doesn't work at all. So what's the best method?

I don't think there IS a best method. Personally, I wouldn't trust the "baking method" enough to try it myself, but there might be some who swear by it.

I use this stuff, FWIW. (http://www.bowling.com/products/ebonite-powerhouse-energizer-ball-cleaner-quart.htm) I've been pretty happy with it. The only reason I use it is because I bowl with a Hammer bowling ball, and this is the stuff Hammer "strongly" recommends for the type of ball I have. I'd try to find something from your manufacturer. To me, that's the way to go.

onefrombills

11-17-2008, 04:12 PM

check on bowl.com to make sure whatever brand you're using is legal. As for a cheap cleaner, a lot of people seem to like to use simple green, either with or without alcohol.

ditto!!!!!

BubbaRay

11-18-2008, 11:08 PM

+1

I use this stuff, FWIW. (http://www.bowling.com/products/ebonite-powerhouse-energizer-ball-cleaner-quart.htm) I've been pretty happy with it. The only reason I use it is because I bowl with a Hammer bowling ball, and this is the stuff Hammer "strongly" recommends for the type of ball I have. I'd try to find something from your manufacturer. To me, that's the way to go.

Art, although all the Power House products are all great products and I use them myself, I used to use the Energizer cleaner but found it leaves a film on the surface of the ball due to the citrus added for the smell. I switched to the Power House Ball Cleaner ( Not the Energizer Cleaner) and it makes a big difference in the cleanliness and tacky feeling of the surface . Try just the Power House Ball Cleaner and you will see and feel the difference not only with the feel but with the reaction of the ball. Another great cleaning Power House Product is the Power House Power Wash.

ArtVandelay

11-18-2008, 11:36 PM

Art, although all the Power House products are all great products and I use them myself, I used to use the Energizer cleaner but found it leaves a film on the surface of the ball due to the citrus added for the smell. I switched to the Power House Ball Cleaner ( Not the Energizer Cleaner) and it makes a big difference in the cleanliness and tacky feeling of the surface . Try just the Power House Ball Cleaner and you will see and feel the difference not only with the feel but with the reaction of the ball. Another great cleaning Power House Product is the Power House Power Wash.

Ya know, I really appreciate the input. It's kind of nice to have a Hammer guy around! I will have to try that, because I know exactly what you're talking about, and thought the same thing. In either case, I was pretty happy with the performance after cleaning.

On a side note, what do you think of that whole "baking" method of cleaning? I don't think I'd ever do it, I like my ball too much to risk ruining it, and it has to last a while, I'm not made of money.... but I'm intrigued by the process.