Is it a must to clean yr balls after every time u bowl ?

[loopy]

Hi all , is it a must to clean yr balls with those ball cleaner every time after u bowl ? One of my friend suggest that cleaning too often u will clean away all the track marks ? So why do we need the track marks to be there in the first place ?

[dizzyfugu]

It is not a must, but highly recommended to avoid oil absorption and to keep the surface clean. It helps a lot unless you do not want to use your ball for more than 1 season... That is especially important with newer high end coverstocks, since about 3 years I think, because they became ever more porous and "spongy".
--------------------
DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

Confused by bowling?
Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom: the unofficial FAQ section
Secrets revealed: What's a fugu?


Edited on 6/11/2008 5:32 AM

[Grayson]

quote:It is not a must, but highly recommended to avoid oil absorption and to keep the surface clean. It helps a lot unless you do not want to use your ball for more than 1 season... That is especially important with newer high end coverstocks, since about 3 years I think, because they became ever more porous and "spongy".
--------------------
DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

Confused by bowling?
Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom: the unofficial FAQ section
Secrets revealed: What's a fugu?


Edited on 6/11/2008 5:32 AM

2nd that
--------------------
Sebastian Koch
"Have fun and bowl well!" - Grayson
"Some things are made so even idiots won't fail using them.... But I ask what about the genius?" - Grayson

(\_/)
(x_x)
c(')(')

Unoffical Ballreviews.com FAQ
Hot Water Bath - instructions and experience

[Lane1Redneck]

I always take a towel over my ball before every roll. Just a habit I got into so I don't have to post a rant about my ball death.

Make it a habit, microfiber towels are the best.
--------------------
Looks Like a Telefunken U-47

Please don't drink and vote
YOU CAN'T AFFORD HER

F.O.S        
Great deals,and service  www.Shirts4Bowling.com

Jeff

[Phoneman]

It is debated right now but the PBA does not allow microfiber towels because of the claim that they technically alter the surface of the ball.  It is said there is a "grit" associated with the microfiber towels that sands the surface with use.  I have found in the past that I would have to polish my equipment more often when using microfiber towles in the past.  USBC has no rules against it but again they do have rules against "altering" the surface of the ball.

Edited on 6/11/2008 7:15 AM

Edited on 6/11/2008 7:15 AM

[mainzer]

And never mind the fancy cleaners at the pro shops, Rubbing alchol will work just fine it is all I ever use and I have had no issues with ball death.
--------------------
MainzerPower

Whatever you use, do clean them before you put them away. I have used a 50/50 Simple Green and water mix for years with great results.

The point is to get something on there to break down the oil that's on the cover before it gets into the cover stock. It also helps to wipe the ball off between shots.

--------------------
Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Amateur Staff

Edited on 7/18/2008 1:04 PM

[leftyinsnellville]

To answer your question about track marks, I believe that your friend is passing on outdated information.  A "track" is really nothing more than just small scratches in the area of the ball that comes in contact with the lane.  I think in the old days when balls were made of rubber (and then urethane) a track was desirable because all those small scratches gave the ball some traction.  Modern reactive resin bowling balls have a lot more "surface" than those old balls.  The best analogy I've heard to describe how modern reactive resin and particle balls work is to think of them like deep tread snow tires or studded snow tires.  Reactive resin bowling balls have pits in the surface that are like treads in a snow tire.  The oil on the lanes going into these "treads" allows the ball to make better contact with the lane.  Particle balls have small "studs" imbedded in the surface like studded snow tires.  These "studs" make contact with the lanes through the oil giving the ball more traction.  An unfortunate result the pits is that modern balls tend to absorb the lane oil, and eventually get saturated with it.  Once a ball gets saturated with oil it loses its ability to grip the lane.

It is imperative you keep modern balls clean to slow the process of oil saturation and also to prevent the pits and/or particles from getting mucked up.  I also think that a track on a reactive resin and/or particle ball reduces its ability to grip the lanes, though I'm sure some would disagree with me.
--------------------
(formerly leftyinhawaii)

Edited on 7/18/2008 2:19 PM

[robospare]

3 Dollar Ball Cleaner.

Go to the Dollar and purchase:

Alcohol $1
Clear Ammonia $1 (not the sudsy brand!!!)
Clear Vinegar $1

Pour 1 cup of each into spray bottle.

Clean all balls used after every set.

The Ammonia and Vinegar pulls the oil, dirt,and belt grime out of ball cover stock.  The Alcohol also helps clean and evaporates the mix quickly.

This mixture will not alter the surface of the ball.
If polished, it will stay polished.
If dull, it will stay dull.

I actually hit my equipment right after and right before any league or practice usage.  Balls are expensive these day.  Early ball death can be prevented.