Vise/Turbo fitting tape (back of thumb)

[Amyers]

So I bowled league tonight and it was raining and warmer than usual. Perhaps I should have thought things out at this point...but I go with the white tape on both sides and it seems all good until warm ups when I am hanging up and lofting out to the arrows lol. I should mention, the white tape from Ebonite has a different texture than the regular white tape from other brands. Either way, it was a struggle and I ended up wasting all of warmup trying to address my thumbhole fit. I ended up using red Vise hada and black tape on the back of my thumbhole - a combination that has normally been slipping but with the humidity it worked.

Also, I think I really dislike the Ebonite ultra grip insert tapes. The white isn't bad on the front, but their black tape is harder and thicker. When I use 3/4 the edges of the tape are uncomfortable. When I try 1" it's not quite pliable to get it in without a struggle.

Well I told you it wouldn't slip. Lol. Sorry it didn't work gotta watch that warmer wet weather.

I've never tried the ebonite tape I use storm or real bowlers tape. I prefer the real bowlers tape it's less sticky and easier to work with.

[AlexNC]

I've been using Storm Thunder tape and haven't really noticed any slipping with it, Now I just got some Black Hada tape so will have to see.

On the White tape one thing I like doing is to get the 1" wide then cut it into strips (depending on need at the time). I think it lets me customize the fit a bit more, like a lot of times I'll put two strips in like a railroad track. It gives me a lot feel and a good grip, but I can come out of it real easy too.

I've heard a few mention the thunder tape now, perhaps I will give it a try. I like the idea with cutting the white tape to customize. I have tried things on the front side of the hole, but nothing special on the back.

[AlexNC]

Well I told you it wouldn't slip. Lol. Sorry it didn't work gotta watch that warmer wet weather.

I've never tried the ebonite tape I use storm or real bowlers tape. I prefer the real bowlers tape it's less sticky and easier to work with.

I have used the silver Real Bowlers tape and like it a lot. My pro shop doesn't carry it - so I have to order it. Have you tried the smooth blue tape?

Speaking of it not leaving adhesive behind...

I had so many issues with tape last night. And I've always heard people complain about some varieties of tape leaving tackiness behind. I had never noticed it until last night. I could only get out of 2/4 balls without hanging up - yeah I know a Vise IT will help and its in the near future. I couldn't figure out why 2 of the balls kept hanging up. I had changed the back tape back to black and it seemed like a nice snug fit, but not excessive. I ended up using one strike ball all night and I was leaving single and 2 pin spares like crazy in the third game. Upon closer examination, the balls I couldn't use had a significant amount of residue left over from the tape, which was causing a lot of hangup. The slugs in these balls are black, so I just didn't see it.

[Amyers]

I have used the silver Real Bowlers tape and like it a lot. My pro shop doesn't carry it - so I have to order it. Have you tried the smooth blue tape?

Speaking of it not leaving adhesive behind...

I had so many issues with tape last night. And I've always heard people complain about some varieties of tape leaving tackiness behind. I had never noticed it until last night. I could only get out of 2/4 balls without hanging up - yeah I know a Vise IT will help and its in the near future. I couldn't figure out why 2 of the balls kept hanging up. I had changed the back tape back to black and it seemed like a nice snug fit, but not excessive. I ended up using one strike ball all night and I was leaving single and 2 pin spares like crazy in the third game. Upon closer examination, the balls I couldn't use had a significant amount of residue left over from the tape, which was causing a lot of hangup. The slugs in these balls are black, so I just didn't see it.

Your leaving the tape in too long. I do this too because I don't like to mess with them when they are right and I kind of like the feel of the tape after gets some wear on it but that's the trade off you have residue. To prevent it change the tape out once a week or so and the residue problem goes away. I keep qutips in my accessory bag and spray them with some ball cleaner to remove the residue when I remove the tape it takes it right off.

[vdubtx]

I change tape out every week before I bowl on Thursdays. In summer, I take tape out after each session as it would just get too sticky with my balls being left in my trunk all the time.

[AlexNC]

I've always been good about changing my tape....

however....

I probably committed a worse sin. It was all fresh tape, so when the white didn't work as the top layer I didn't want to toss all the black that was under it and reused some. Not a great idea. The sticky mess I found was on the sides of the slug where I don't tape, but it may have gotten moved around a bit in my frustration.

[NewToBowling]

I don't change out my tape as much as I should. I use 1 white layer and 1-3 black tape on back of thumb to start. My thumb fluctuates where I need only 2 black and nothing else to anywhere from 2 white and a couple blacks

[bowl1820]

I change out tape every week.

The longer you leave tape in the worst it gets. The texture wears down and the oils/sweat/etc penetrate the material into the adhesive, which can make it harder to get out, gooey, leaves residue.

If you wet sand & polish, the water gets into the hole affects it also.

[billf]

My thumbhole is so tight I use a spare slug to work it into before bowling. I use Turbo fitting tape. Each color corresponds to the speed of release or slickness/thickness of the tape. In the ball is usually 1 or 2 pieces of black for the back of the thumb.
Being an auto tech my thumbs are calloused and beat up. without tape I would never get out of a ball no matter how big the thumb hole was. I've broke my right thum three times so it's a bit more ovaled than most. I use a 1 1/4" slug so it isn't small either. I've yet to meet a bowler with a bigger thumb hole.