The Death of a Bowling Ball...

**The German Shepherd** · 01-09-2014, 12:07 PM

Hi everyone. I know I haven't posted here in awhile, so please forgive me. Life has just gotten in the way....

Some time ago, I won a Storm SYnc online from the Bowling Expo in Reno in 2013. I really REALLY liked this ball. I had it drilled 65 x 4.75 x 65 for length and strength. I have always been very serious about keeping my equipment clean and was no different with this ball (even though it was free, it was still a trusted member of my "kennel"). A few weeks ago, I noticed that the ball was no longer reacting like it had been. As a matter of fact, it had become useful for little but use as a spare ball/10 pin ball. I skuffed it down to 2000 (its OOB finish) with limited results. I cleaned it again and again, used Adrenalin ball wipes, heated it, Dawn Dishwashing soap cleanedit hot water and then finally had it professionally resurfaced and de-oiled. Nothing worked. The ball is just plain dead. <sigh>

This is the FIRST ball I have ever had to retire due to this kind of failure. Now I will need to find another ball to replace this in my line-up. Thinking about a Hyper Cell or something not quite so strong like the Reign On...

Jay

**Aslan** · 01-09-2014, 12:51 PM

Yeah...I've often wondered what the true life of a reactive resin ball is. Some people say they can use them, with proper maintenance, for 2 years...2 leagues a week...no problems. Other people claim it's like 100-200 games and they're dead. Made me super frustrated when I bought my first ball, Storm Frantic, and I immediately saw great results...then 3 weeks later it seemed to react like a House ball. If balls only last 150 games...bowling is going to be an expensive hobby!!

**dnhoffman** · 01-09-2014, 02:35 PM

You need a real de-oiling to rejuvenate the ball. It's not dead!

See here for DIY: http://www.bowlingboards.com/threads...ling-Ball-Oven

Or go to a pro shop with a revivor oven and pay them to do it.

**striker12** · 01-09-2014, 03:35 PM

i know what you mean the same thing happened to my Hell Raiser revenge i won on here it stopped working in dec 2012 and just in the past summer it cracked it was a great ball but for me to get the warranty on it it would cost me what a new bowling ball would be worth because $60 to ship to bowling boards $83 to shipping a new one to me and them $77 to get it drilled

**dpatrickv** · 01-09-2014, 04:35 PM

I havent ever had an issue with a reactive ball dying like that. I still have a black widow venom and a Brunswick wizard that are both 6-7 years old and still move like they did when new.

**bowl1820** · 01-09-2014, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by The German Shepherd

Hi everyone. I know I haven't posted here in awhile, so please forgive me. Life has just gotten in the way....................... I skuffed it down to 2000 (its OOB finish) with limited results.

Hi Jay been awhile,

Sounds like you did everything as far as cleaning goes.

The Storm Sync doesn't have a OOB of 2000, Its the 4000 Abralon surface:

4000-grit Factory Finish
1. 500-grit pad – Sand firmly for 30 seconds on all four sides.
2. 2000-grit pad – Sand lightly for 10 seconds on all four sides.
3. 4000-grit pad – Sand lightly for 5 seconds on all four sides.

It's important to have the base grits also. (but remember its hard to replicate a factory finish), so I'd redo the surface with the storm step here and recheck your reaction.

Also is it possible they have had a pattern change or changed oil brands? or if it's been real cold there it have a effect on the shot.

**MICHAEL** · 01-10-2014, 12:29 AM

Hey Jay,,, give that ball a little LOVE!! It will give back to you two fold!! This might sound strange, but let it sleep with you and the misses!! I gave this a try, and it worked!!

My wife didn't like it between us, but I could feel the love flowing form us to the ball! At one point I got tired of her complaining about ball getting more attention then HER!! I said quit your BALLING, and get to sleep!!

Next morning, I swear, that ball never looked BETTER, it had a GLOW!

Took it to the alley and it gave the love back!!!! Give it a try Jay,,,, Tell your wife Your balls need love too... keeping them close to you will pay off with great scores!!

I forget where I read this article, but the title was Give Your Bowling Balls some Love!

**Blacksox1** · 01-10-2014, 12:49 AM

Originally Posted by bowl1820

Hi Jay been awhile,

Sounds like you did everything as far as cleaning goes.

The Storm Sync doesn't have a OOB of 2000, Its the 4000 Abralon surface:

4000-grit Factory Finish
1. 500-grit pad – Sand firmly for 30 seconds on all four sides.
2. 2000-grit pad – Sand lightly for 10 seconds on all four sides.
3. 4000-grit pad – Sand lightly for 5 seconds on all four sides.

It's important to have the base grits also. (but remember its hard to replicate a factory finish), so I'd redo the surface with the storm step here and recheck your reaction.

Also is it possible they have had a pattern change or changed oil brands? or if it's been real cold there it have a effect on the shot.

Great tip bowl1820. I will remember this if I have a bowling ball go dead. Only the finish may be different.