Do I Need to Clean and Bake my Ball?

[bowl1820]

As far as cleaning at home, I was under the impression that you should do it as soon as you are finished, the implication being that, on the drive home, the oil would absorb and not be on the surface any longer?

Yes, Cleaning as soon as you can after bowling is best.

If you have time at the lanes, you clean there (a plus to this is it helps keep the inside of your bag clean, by preventing oil and other grime from rubbing off in your bag. Which later can attract other dirt and get back on your ball if you clean it later and then put it in your bag.)

If you can't clean at the lanes, then you clean at home.

[Blacksox1]

How often are you baking them? Less than 60 games is a waste of electricity.
Definitely clean your balls every outing. Even the ball manufacturers say this and it doesn't benefit them.

*****DO NOT BAKE A MOTIV BALL***** Not sure why but all five I've baked lost a minimum of five boards of hook. They also soak up the least amount of oil of any company I've seen so far.

Yes, Cleaning as soon as you can after bowling is best.

If you have time at the lanes, you clean there (a plus to this is it helps keep the inside of your bag clean, by preventing oil and other grime from rubbing off in your bag. Which later can attract other dirt and get back on your ball if you clean it later and then put it in your bag.)

If you can't clean at the lanes, then you clean at home.

Two great responses for this topic, also when baking follow the guidelines for time and temperature, VERY IMPORTANT !

[fokai73]

De-oiling possible factors: I think it these 4 or maybe 5 reasons.....

1. type of ball used - high end balls tend to be sponges.
2. environment - volume of oil and cleanliness of the whole operating system, From the foul line, to pin deck, to rack, to belt, and to the ball rack.
3. ball maintenance during play and after play.
4. Cleaners used
and/or
5. if you're left handed!!! you have more oil on your side HAHAHAHAA..... there's too much traffic on the right LOL

[zacks]

Can someone tell me if it is a bad idea to put a reactive resin ball in a bucket of warm water? I've heard this is the best way to de-oil a ball and I've heard this is the worst way to de-oil a ball. I've done this before and as far as I could tell it worked. I've also heard people say that the ball can become water logged and it can take a long time for the water to fully evaporate out of the ball, which could change the characteristics of the ball or impair the balls ability to absorb oil. I'm sure I'll get differing responses, but hopefully get some helpful ideas.

[bowl1820]

Can someone tell me if it is a bad idea to put a reactive resin ball in a bucket of warm water? I've heard this is the best way to de-oil a ball and I've heard this is the worst way to de-oil a ball. I've done this before and as far as I could tell it worked. I've also heard people say that the ball can become water logged and it can take a long time for the water to fully evaporate out of the ball, which could change the characteristics of the ball or impair the balls ability to absorb oil. I'm sure I'll get differing responses, but hopefully get some helpful ideas.

The "Hot water & Dawn" method of oil extraction has been around for years and is usually considered one of the safest (But not necessarily the most effective) ways to remove oil.

The ball core doesn't fill up with water and become water logged.

If you get water in the holes, you should let it sit and let the holes dry out though so you don't stick in the holes etc. If you leave tape in the holes and it gets wet, you need to take it out because the adhesive can get gummy and sticky in the hole and you have to clean them out.

But doing a soak is not a problem.

[billf]

The filler material in a ball is the same as used in auto body repair. If you can get your car wet you can get your bowling ball wet. I used the hot water method for years before getting a ball oven. The oven is easier, cleaner and more consistent. Temperature control and air flow are key.

[okfoz]

I am like a ball cleaning nazi when it comes to care of my balls. I clean them after every time I bowl, If I throw the ball for 3 frames or 10 games, I will clean it after the games. I still get a lot of oil out of my ball when I extract oil.

Admittedly, I use 6 balls in my arsenal, and only one of them actually will release any oil. My Brunswick Loaded Revolver will need a good rejuvenation about every 3-4 weeks. About 20-30 games and I notice a difference in how the ball hooks. So I spend a day with it in the box, remove, clean, and then in the box again until it stops sweating. Same thing goes for the Storm Balls I have done for my son and friends.

I will add, that one thing I notice is if I do the rejuvenation too soon, I will just get oil out of the track.

I contacted Brunswick before I started with the heater oil extraction, and they told me "Absolutely" in regards to the process. Now other manufacturers, like Hammer said NEVER! and Storm said that it would probably work but they cannot "recommend it" Rotogrip never responded. IIRC everyone when I asked what the max temperature should be they said the same thing, NEVER exceed 130°F

The funny thing about it, is I seem to bowl the best after a week or two after I do the rejuvenation, there is a sweet spot that the reaction of the ball, the lane conditions and my bowling style just match up. So I have to practice with my ball and not just let it sit in my bag till my next league.

sorry if the post is scattered, I am getting a bid delay between when I type and when the letters pop up on the screen.

John