What causes a "track" on the ball?

[Aslan]

I've noticed that one of my bowling balls develops a "track" rather quickly. Sometimes it takes 9 games...sometimes 1 game.

While it looks like the oil track one might see when their ball returns to them on the ball return...the "track" I'm talking about doesn't just wipe off with a towel or even with ball cleaner.

So, while this is probably a pretty basic question;

1) "What causes the track to develop on a bowling ball?"

2) What could it be about my lane conditions that seem to cause a track to develop so quickly?

3) What might cause one ball to be more succeptible to developing a track while other balls in the arsenal are more resistant?

Thanks!

[bowl1820]

First if your referring to lines that look like oil but don't wipe off, that's oil thats in the cover you need a stronger penetrating cleaner to remove it such as Clean'N Dull.

example:


Now if referring to the track that is wore into the ball.

1-The track is the wear on the ball surface from where the ball touches the lane surface as it goes down the lane.

2-The surface texture of the lane and the amount of oil on lane.

3-Coverstock material and the surface texture used on the ball.h


All ball surfaces will change with use, polished balls will get duller and dull balls will shine up.

The general rule of thumb was that the balls surface would wind up about a 600 US grit surface, given if you never resanded.

Now this was more when it was mostly wood lanes, because they have a lot more surface texture than synthetics.

Now this changed over time to about 800 grit (which is about 1500- 2000 Fepa). Do to the synthetic lane surfaces and the change of coverstock materials.
One thing to remember also is that 2000 grit is just a approximation, a general rule of thumb. Also Lane type, oil conditions etc. will affect what it really is, there could be a big variance +/- on that 2000 grit.


Might want to watch this video, it shows how the surface changes with use over just a few games. For the most part the balls surfaces wound up at about 4000 grit.

[Aslan]

Now if referring to the track that is wore into the ball.

2-The surface texture of the lane and the amount of oil on lane.

3-Coverstock material and the surface texture used on the ball.h

Concerning these two items, I think you're saying that the smoother/oiler the lane surface...the less friction...and the less track (in terms of how long to develop, etc...).

Concerning #3, can you be more specific? For example, why is it that my Ebonite Innovate seems to develop a visible track in 1-2 games yet my Reax Pearl takes 9+ games?

[bowl1820]

Concerning these two items, I think you're saying that the smoother/oiler the lane surface...the less friction...and the less track (in terms of how long to develop, etc...).

Yes. If your on a oily, smoother surface it would take longer for a track to develop.

Concerning #3, can you be more specific? For example, why is it that my Ebonite Innovate seems to develop a visible track in 1-2 games yet my Reax Pearl takes 9+ games?

I don't know the specific's of the coverstocks involved so I can't really say.

Some guess's: The Innovate might be slightly softer than the reax, so it would wear faster. If it has a duller surface than the reax, duller surfaces tend to "shine up" faster than smoother ones get dull. Could be A combo of these.

If your using one on different conditions than the other a lot that would be a factor.