Bowling Ball Cleaning and Maintenance

[bowl1820]

So you ask how do I maintain a ball? We'll start with the basic's.

Every bowler should have a microfiber towel and a spray bottle of a approved cleaner in their bag.

USBC BALL CLEANER LIST - ACCEPTABLE
http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn....ner_polish.pdf

USBC BALL CLEANER LIST - NON-ACCEPTABLE
http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn....ner_polish.pdf

Cleaning:
1- Wipe your ball off after every shot. This should be part of your pre-shot routine.

2- After you get done bowling a session, you should clean your ball off with a approved cleaner.

These two things do the most to help reduce oil absorption into the cover of the ball.

3. Do a deep cleaning about every 50 – 75 games. This will help in removing any oil absorbed into the cover.

A deep clean is where your attemping to remove soaked in oil and dirt from the ball's cover.

How to do a Deep Cleaning at home:

You'll need a bucket or sink, a wash cloth and a dish washing detergent with a degreasing agent in it.

Simply check on the label and be sure it is has a degreaser. I recommend Dawn or Dawn Direct Foam.

1. Fill a sink or bucket with warm water and a small amount of the detergent about 2-3 teaspoons. Be sure that the water is only warm and not too hot.

2. Place the bowling ball in the warm soapy water with the holes pointing down (or cover them) and let it soak for 10 – 15 minutes.

At this point, Rub the bowling ball with the wash cloth. This helps loosen and remove grime from the surface.

3. Next remove the ball from the water and drain the water. Then repeat the entire process again, until you notice no more dirt and oil in the water after the soaking phase.

4. When done dry the ball off and allow to dry for a few hours.

These simple basic cleaning steps will help keep your ball at peak performance .


These are just the basic cleaning steps, there are other optional steps for cleaning and ball surface maintenance. Those will be added later.

[bowl1820]

Wet vs Dry Sanding



This ball was sanded with the same grit, left-dry sanded, right-wet sanded.

Wet sanding produces a more sheen like finish, water acts as a lubricant to a point so the cutting isn't as aggressive.

Also wet sanding helps keep the dust and friction heat down, the water also helps reduce buildup of the cuttings in your pad/paper which let's them cut better and last longer.

Wet sanding is pretty much the standard when using a home spinner.

Dry sanding is a bit more aggressive and will give you a duller surface. But you get more friction which generates more heat and the pad can load up which can reduce the effectiveness of the cutting.




fyi:
Daily maintenance is the key to good coverstock performance. The most important step is to clean the ball thoroughly by hand with a good bowling ball cleaner immediately after each use before the oil can get deep into the coverstock. Preventing deep penetration of the oil into the coverstock is better, easier, and cheaper than trying to remove the oil after it gets deep into the coverstock!

[panbanger]

I use Tac Up cleaner, but the bottle I bought it in is rather large. To save space in my bag I purchased an empty 2oz spray bottle and put some of the Tac Up in there. Is this maybe not a good idea? Playing Devil's Advocate, someone could question if I was using an approved cleaner and I guess I would have no way of proving it.

Just wondering if people have run in to this problem before. I'd like all my ducks in a row once I start bowling in a USBC sanctioned setting.

[billf]

I bought my favorite cleaners in 2ounce bottles and use the bigger bottles to refill them. When I want to try a new cleaner or polish I buy the small bottle first. If I like it then I buy the big bottle.
If your league is more of a fun league rather than a real serious league, then most people wouldn't know the difference never mind that they could question it.

[GoodGorilla]

I've never done a deep cleaning before. I am worried about getting water in the fingerholes. It seems alien to me to put the thumbholes face down. I know that they will create an air pocket. But I'm scared to try that out.

[bowl1820]

I've never done a deep cleaning before. I am worried about getting water in the fingerholes. It seems alien to me to put the thumbholes face down. I know that they will create an air pocket. But I'm scared to try that out.

Some guys put duct tape over the holes or plug them in other ways.

[Tokes]

Just a couple (probably obvious) questions
1.When doing the deep cleaning am I going to take the inserts out and superglue them back in?
2. What is technically a session 1, 3, 5 games or just when you finish?

[bowl1820]

Just a couple (probably obvious) questions
1.When doing the deep cleaning am I going to take the inserts out and superglue them back in?
2. What is technically a session 1, 3, 5 games or just when you finish?

1- No, you don't have to take the grips out.

2- Typically a session is referring to a 3 game series like in a league setting. If your bowling in a 6 game tournament, that would be a session. It's basically when your done for the day though.

[Tokes]

Thanks I got one more question I notice that different balls have different finishes matte, polish, high polish... is there anything special I should do to preserve this, is just cleaning the ball good enough until after so many games, or not to worry about it?

[billf]

Each manufacturer will say on their website the steps necessary to preserve the factory finish. Matte balls just need sanding, polished balls get polish. How much and the rate of gloss depends on the manufacturer and ball.