Bowling ball care

[Miller]

I'm new to the sport, and just bought my first ball a few weeks ago. It didn't occur to me that I should have asked about taking care of it, so any help is appreciated.

I have seen special ball cleaning liquids and well, tons of other stuff that looks like it could be gimmicky.

Any tips on what to use to clean a ball after use, how often should it be cleaned, other maintenance tips and so on?

Thanks everyone!

_edit_

Just occurred to me that it might matter what type of ball I'm using.. it's a Power Groove Reactive.

Edited on 1/1/2005 12:57 PM

[TheBowlingKid25]

I wipe mine off with simple green after every 3 game set. I also soak all of my balls in a hot bath every month or so.
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16 years old, and proud of it! Still not mature either!

[MTFD24]

Many on here swear by a mixture of Simple Green and rubbing alcohol. Any good degreaser type cleaner also may work. Personally I like Neo-Tac products for deep cleaning, usually every three to four sets, but clean after each set with 50% Simple Green mixed with 50% of rubbing alcohol (the 91% rather than standard 70% stuff).
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The Older We Get, The Better We Were
www.MTFD.com - a NY State Vol. Fire Department
www.BowlWNY.com - local & national stories by Joe Ciccone
http://www.FDracing.com The worlds fastest firemen in the origional Xtreme Games
24 is not my age, IQ, or bowling average, but my firematic number, at least I think that what it is

[nd300]

MTFD,
 Why the 91% instead of 70%???
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Chris

[a_ak57]

ACtually, I use simple green and water.  I find that alcohol doesn't actually do anything besides smear around oil, and water is cheaper.  A half/half mix is good.
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- Andy


Brunswick!!

[seadrive]

For everyday cleaning, Formula 409 (straight) or Simple Green (mixed 1:1 with water) are fine.

Once a month or so, I freshen up the surface with Neo-Tac Liquid Sandpaper, then polish to desired shine with Neo-Tac Renew-It.

Different people have different routines, so you have to experiment to find what works best for you, given your personal level of obsessiveness.
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seadrive
Cogito ergo bowl

Edited on 1/1/2005 2:33 PM

[MTFD24]

I have found by experimenting with an old ball, that if you use straight 70% isopropal rubbing alcohol and clean thoroughly (until the paper towel shows no more dirt/oil coming off), then use 91% isopropal alchohol you get more dirt/oil out/off.

Then I used a 50/50 mix of Simple Green and the 91% Isopropal Rubbing Alcohol and got even more dirt/oil out. Finally, I then used Neo-Tac Hook It and got even more out.

This is just my experience. But I have never had a ball "die" on me with under 500 games, including the famous TEC death associated with the Columbia Surge, or on either of my Morich Colossus'.
--------------------
The Older We Get, The Better We Were
www.MTFD.com - a NY State Vol. Fire Department
www.BowlWNY.com - local & national stories by Joe Ciccone
http://www.FDracing.com The worlds fastest firemen in the origional Xtreme Games
24 is not my age, IQ, or bowling average, but my firematic number, at least I think that what it is

[Brickguy221]

I,  like MTFD use Neo Tac products also. I clean balls with Neo Tac Liquid Nitro every 3 games and deep clean with Neo Tac Hook-It every 30-40 games.

[BornToBowl]

Simple green with water will work fine. Wipe your ball with a towel after every frame. After all you want to get the oil out before it soaks anymore in. In addition, you would want to be have the same surface with the lane so it will have a consistent reaction. Don't be over obsessive with maintenance. Brunswick balls bleed oil out when it's in contact with heat. So hot water soaking and oven baking will work. (For more info ask the brunswick guys, they guarantee this would work.) And if you want use acetone once a month or something. It gets the oil out really went, however over long-term exposure to this chemical, some says it will crack the ball. Which I haven't been experiencing over a year and a half using this. So it's up to you.

Patrick

[Lane1Redneck]

Miller, get yourself some micro-fiber towels, after every time you roll, wipe the ball down. Then after your done keep one of those towels to clean the ball with any one of the methods mentioned above..  I use Neo-Tec Liquid Nitro,and Black Magic Particle cleaner.. I also have Simple green,but have not used it yet.. Main thing is wipe it down after every roll, this will help minimize the amount of oil to soak in the ball,and to take any other dirt off it for the next roll...   Hope this helps..  

GOOD LUCK
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Looks Like a Telefunken U-47

Jeff

[JohnP]

BornToBowl --  You do realize that acetone is illegal to use per ABC rules?  --  JohnP

[mumzie]

from the rule book  - for future reference...
book mark the page below.

quote:
Bowling Ball - Altering Surface
Rule 18. Altering the surface of a bowling ball by the use of abrasives while bowling in
WIBC/ABC competition is prohibited.
All bowling balls so altered must be removed from the competition. (See Chapter VI,
ABC/WIBC Equipment Specifications on Bowling Ball - Weight, Size, Markings and Holes, for
additional information.)
NOTE: If it is shown the bowler had prior knowledge their actions were in violation of Rule
18, the game(s) in which the violation occurred is subject to forfeiture. In addition, the bowler
is subject to dismissal from the league and suspension of membership.
Competition is defined as the remainder of the current game and remaining game(s) in the
series being bowled.
The use of approved cleaning agents such as isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and polishing
machines is permissible.

Approved list is found here:
http://www.bowl.com/bowl/BowlDotCom/common/static.html?page=bowl_speccert_ballcleaner
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Bowlers are like puppies. The only difference is that someday the puppy will quit whining.
-- Found at Sam's Town Pro Shop