I'd suggest that 9 games is a limit, especially for a strong ball at a relatively fine grit level. Take a damp 3000 grit pad to it by hand to refresh the surface.

I wouldn't go all the way back to 500 grit yet. Maybe at the 25 - 40 game level, depending on what you see on the lanes and on the ball.

Your ball cleaner (which I suggest you use immediately, at the lanes, after each bowling session) should have removed the lane shine (ground in oil). If it doesn't, you need a stronger cleaner. You can try Hook-It or Clean and Dull at home, after using your regular cleaner at the lanes.

I'd suggest that 9 games is a limit, especially for a strong ball at a relatively fine grit level. Take a damp 3000 grit pad to it by hand to refresh the surface.

I wouldn't go all the way back to 500 grit yet. Maybe at the 25 - 40 game level, depending on what you see on the lanes and on the ball.

Your ball cleaner (which I suggest you use immediately, at the lanes, after each bowling session) should have removed the lane shine (ground in oil). If it doesn't, you need a stronger cleaner. You can try Hook-It or Clean and Dull at home, after using your regular cleaner at the lanes.

Thanks.  Can't always clean after league because the house starts closing right after bowling (senior day leagues) so I clean when I get home.  Using combination of Simple Green and alcohol.  I'm going to order some of the Hook-It.

Thanks again.

charlest, what do you recommend for after league cleaning?

I used to use Black Magic, and due to the lateness of my league (not out until 10:30 - 11:00 pm) I have gotten lazy and let it slide.  to preserve my stuff again, I am going to clean after league again and was wondering if Black Magic was still a good choice.

That's hard, since the one I use and love, LMB Int'l Extreme Performance cleaner seems to be no longer available.

I stopped using Black Magic because of the harsh industrial aroma (I feared it would be harmful to skin and nose.).

I'd have to go right now with Hook-It and it's the strongest cleaner for use AFTER bowling that can still be used away from home. Still I'd be very careful when I use it and what I did with the cloth afterwards.

There are several very good water based cleaners: Remedy, Knock-Out, Zapp-It, Vise cleaner. They are approved for use during bowling and, of course, after, they are very safe, but they are, in my opinion,  a step below LMB's, Hook-It and Clean and Dull.

There is one more cleaner,  that I heard (from a very reliable source) was based on LMB's formula, Genesis Maxx. But, I have now bought 2 bottles of it, and from personal experience, I cannot recommend it. Its smell is so toxic, so strong that I literally feared for my life. (Even the original MB cleaner which had a VERY strong smell wasn't as bad as this stuff.) I immediately put the 2nd bottle out in the garage; the first bottle I threw away. I won't use it, but felt I had to report what I found.

Quote from: charlest on February 24, 2017, 02:46:42 PM

I'd suggest that 9 games is a limit, especially for a strong ball at a relatively fine grit level. Take a damp 3000 grit pad to it by hand to refresh the surface.

I wouldn't go all the way back to 500 grit yet. Maybe at the 25 - 40 game level, depending on what you see on the lanes and on the ball.

Your ball cleaner (which I suggest you use immediately, at the lanes, after each bowling session) should have removed the lane shine (ground in oil). If it doesn't, you need a stronger cleaner. You can try Hook-It or Clean and Dull at home, after using your regular cleaner at the lanes.

Thanks.  Can't always clean after league because the house starts closing right after bowling (senior day leagues) so I clean when I get home.  Using combination of Simple Green and alcohol.  I'm going to order some of the Hook-It.

Thanks again.

Fine; just be careful what it gets on, beside your ball. Keep the soaked cloth away from everything else. Maybe keep it in a plastic bag in your bowling bag or in an outside bag.  It is a strong cleaner but a very good one.

when I find a ball that is slightly to much for the pattern I try to factor lane shine into the cover prep. I say roll it until it starts fluffing then start from scratch all over.I'm a firm believer in the 500/3000 grit theory as the underlying grit is the bite of the ball and the shine is the length and how well the ball expends it's energy down lane. thats the deciding factor. every ball is different.

I agree when it come to cleaners, polishes, and sanding Charlest is "The Man".
Question:  I have avoided heavy cleaners like Hook It and Clean N Dull because they do such a good job removing lane shine, oil, & grime, that I worried they may also be "slightly melting" the sanded grit surface and therefore changing it.
Charlest your thoughts please.  Thanks in advance.

I agree when it come to cleaners, polishes, and sanding Charlest is "The Man".
Question:  I have avoided heavy cleaners like Hook It and Clean N Dull because they do such a good job removing lane shine, oil, & grime, that I worried they may also be "slightly melting" the sanded grit surface and therefore changing it.
Charlest your thoughts please.  Thanks in advance.

Hook-It has no abrasives as far as I know.
Clean n Dull THEORETICALLY contains an abrasive, which is the reason why it is approved for use only before and after bowling. That said, I have yet to see it "abrade" any surface on which I have used it. Polished surfaces stay polished; dull surface s seem to stay at the grit they are.

As far as I know, only acetone changes the chemical make-up of resin balls (and that is why the USBC has declared it to be "not permitted at any time") and that is only when used in quantity. Using a slight "smear"/dampness of acetone on cloth to clean off dried glue "seems" to do no harm.