Ball Cleaner Showdown #1
by Al Loar

Ebonite Powerhouse-Energizer Cleaner
-VS-
Ebonite Powerhouse Clean'N Dull (was a Track product)

Balls used in test-
Ball#1-A Track EMB with the coverstock freshly dulled with a green Scotchbrite.
Ball#2-A Ebonite NitroR2 Classic with the coverstock freshly Dulled to 600grit.

Ball condition at time of test-
Ball#1 was used for 3 games in a night Mixed league. After the league the ball was shiny with oil and a normal amount of grime & dirt. The ball sat for 30 minutes before cleaning.

Ball#2 was used for 3 games in a night Men's league. After the league the ball was shiny with oil and a normal amount of grime & dirt. The ball sat for a week before cleaning. The oil now had been absorbed and surface dirty.

Cleaning procedure used-(This was done without a ball spinner.)
Cleaner was applied to half the ball and allowed to soak in 30-45 sec. Then rubbed in by hand with a papertowel until cleaned and then allowed to dry. A 2nd application would be used if needed.

What was looked for from product-
Cleaning ability,Ball dullness and amount of tacky feel as compared to the fresh surface of the ball. Tacky feel is rated "No tack 1"-"5 Most tack"

The Results-
Ball#1-Energizer Cleaner was applied to the 1st half of the ball and it removed from the surface most of the visible oil & grime.
The coverstock had a slight shine to it and oil lines could still be seen in the track area. Tacky feel rated "2"
A 2nd application was used and a little more grime seemed to be removed.The coverstock still had a slight shine to it and oil lines could still be seen in the track area. Tacky feel rated "3"

Next Ebonite Powerhouse Clean'N Dull was applied to the other half of ball#1 and it removed all of the visible oil & grime. The coverstock dullness was returned to the freshly dulled condition. Also no oil lines were visible in the track area. Tacky feel rated "5". No 2nd application needed

Ball#2-Energizer Cleaner was applied to the 1st half of the ball and it removed from the surface most of the visible dirt grime.
The coverstock had a slight shine to it and oil lines could still be seen in the track area. Tacky feel rated "3"
A 2nd application was used and no more grime seemed to be removed.The coverstock still had a slight shine to it and oil lines could still be seen in the track area. Tacky feel rated "3"

Next Ebonite Powerhouse Clean'N Dull was applied to the other half of ball#2 and it removed all of the visible grime. The coverstock dullness was returned to the freshly dulled condition. Also no oil lines were visible in the track area. Tacky feel rated "5". No 2nd application needed.



Conclusion-
Ebonite Powerhouse Energizer Cleaner is a good citrus based ball surface cleaner and is a easy to use spray. It removes most surface oil and grime. But does not draw out oil from the coverstock well (The visible oil lines left).

Ebonite Powerhouse Clean'N Dull is a excellent surface cleaner and is a easy to use gel.It removes all surface oil and grime and It draws the oil out of the coverstock very well. (No visible oil lines left).

Ebonite Powerhouse Energizer Cleaner makes a good quick to use cleaner, But Ebonite Powerhouse Clean'N Dull is a better deep cleaner. Which would give the ball longer life do to the ability to draw more oil out of the coverstock.