Dead Ball?

[poflobo]

I have a Track "Super Freak" that I bought used from a friend, when I returned to bowling a year ago. Being ignorant of new technology, I finished the season with it.

Now that I'm "catching up", I understand what this ball is supposed to be... but it ain't nowhere close! I've read that the surface of this ball goes away somewhat quickly and needs to be tended to.

This is a heavy oil ball, pin placed to the right, even with ring finger and is stacked. If my calculations are correct, this should be a biter, but it has no teeth!

I gave it one of StormBowler13's "spa treatments" followed by a good alcohol rubdown. We put it in a ball spinner, wet sanded it with 800 grit, left it dull and tried it out on fresh oil. Ball reaction was better, but not what I thought it should be, and got less hook out of it the more I bowled. It was picking up oil like a sponge!

Is anyone familiar with this ball and can give me any insight as to whether I'm crazy or not? Is it beyond repair or do I need to use this sheet of 80 grit I have in my hand?

Thanks!

[JaxBowlingGuy]

if you go too low in grit that ball will just burn up and not hook... also, track balls seem to soak oil quick

[poflobo]

Aaah. Is that the lines I see forming in the track area?

I think the OTB finish was 1500. Go back to that?

[JaxBowlingGuy]

800 is not bad... id say maybe 1000... and yes the lines in your track is the oil

[poflobo]

Lines are still there after I clean it. I think your right about the "burn up". The lane surface is polishing the track.

[JaxBowlingGuy]

usually if i put a ball at a low grit ill put a little non gritty polish on it to help get it down the lane some and still store energy

[Stormed1]

Factory finish is 1500 wet sand. I would try a 2000 abralon which is roughly equal to 1000 grit sandpaper. Or go with a light polish over the 800 you have it now to help it store some energy but still read the midlane due to the underlying grit

[Strike Domination]

My Dad has that ball, and I would say that it has a tendency to lose reaction over time. Of course, he never cleaned his equipment so maybe it'd be different for someone that did. In my opinion, sometimes there's really not much you can do about a ball that died. It seems like it was okay before, just not what it was supposed to be. Is it actually worse now?

[Herbert E]

Do you have any idea how many games the person you bought it from bowled? And you used for a full season? I think you got your moneys worth time to move on. The good ole days of using the same ball for 10 to 15 years are gone. Some balls suck up oil like a hoover suck dirt and take maintance to keep em in peak condition. your proshop guy should be able to help you with that.

[poflobo]

My Dad has that ball, and I would say that it has a tendency to lose reaction over time. Of course, he never cleaned his equipment so maybe it'd be different for someone that did. In my opinion, sometimes there's really not much you can do about a ball that died. It seems like it was okay before, just not what it was supposed to be. Is it actually worse now?

No, it has never had much bite except on light to dry conditions, but I didn't have a clue as to what it was supposed to do. Things were more simple 25 years ago when I quit. Rubber, polyester or plastic. Just top weight, no cores. No such thing as pin placement, CG, MB or PAP! You need a degree in chemistry, physics AND geometry just to figger out how to drill a ball! Just kidding!!! I'm catching up fairly quick and I always like a good puzzle.

Back to being serious, I really think it was on it's last leg when I got the ball. I'll hit it again with something not so aggressive... maybe 1200 grit or so.