Author Topic: rediscovered polish; can I apply by hand? (Read 2074 times)

Neptune66 · « **on:** January 31, 2010, 01:42:58 AM »

Been struggling with short oil last couple weeks, and in desperation asked the pro-shop to apply some polish to a couple of balls. Was like magic! Delayed the ball's reaction and suddenly I wasn't fighting to maintain a line or some consistency.

I had completely overlooked that as a solution, instead trying to throw harder, or using weaker equipment to get the desired length. Sometimes that worked, but throwing harder reduced accuracy and wore me out, and unfortunately the weaker balls in my arsenal are also early rolling balls, and it wasn't that I needed less angle.... just needed it farther down the lane.

However... as excited as I am to have rediscovered what a little polish can do, I like my independence and don't want to have to wait for the pro-shop person to be available the next time I feel I want to change the surface. Is there a polish I can buy and apply by hand (without a spinner) with reasonably decent results?

Doesn't have to be perfect, especially since I would only be doing this on balls that are in dire need.

Thanks for any feedback.

Skizriz · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2010, 04:36:20 PM »

After going through the hassle of applying polish by hand,and not having convenient access to a spinner anymore, I decided to find a better way to polish my balls.
Took a trip to Home Depot to see what I could find. Bought an arbor adapter to chuck into my 3/8 drill for a couple of bucks. Picked up a cheap rubber plunger for about 3 dollars. Got some 4-6" terrycloth polishing bonnets for about 5 bucks.

Remove the handle from the plunger. Cut off the rubber threaded part that the handle screws into. Trim about 1/2 off of the plunger the whole way around the outer edge.
Drill a hole through the center of the rubber plunger. Insert the arbor adapter through the hole and tighten down the nuts.
Chuck it into your drill, put the bonnet over the plunger part and tie it up tight.

Set the ball on the floor between your feet and go to town with your favorite polish. The rubber plunger head is a perfect fit for a bowling ball.

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"I want to die in my sleep like my grandfather....Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car"

Edited on 1/31/2010 5:49 PM

Edited on 1/31/2010 5:54 PM

Neptune66 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2010, 09:37:41 PM »

I appreciate the pictures and what looks like instructions on how to make an inexpensive spinner, but I am kind of lazy. And it's not so much that I'm trying to avoid the cost of a spinner or of asking the Pro-shop to polish my balls (yes... I realize this wording is just asking for humorous comments---that's ok). It's more of an issue about ease of use, and control over time (being able to apply the polish spur of the moment).

If I go home 2 or 3 weeks from now after a rough league night, and decide my ball needs a little polish added, I want to be able to do it like...now. Want to reach for a bottle and a towel or rag, and spend a few minutes applying a relatively even coat of polish, and then pop the ball back in the bag and be ready to go.

Is there a polish out there that is suitable for this, and as long as I am applying a relatively thin and even coat to the ball, that I can use that way? Or will the ball either look stupid or roll weirdly?

TDC57 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2010, 09:44:41 PM »

The Valentino polishes can all be applied by hand and work well!

Neptune66 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2010, 09:55:28 PM »

A little polish should [theoretically] go a long way for me, so I'm not too concerned about the pricing. Main thing I was trying to determine was if polishing by hand without a spinner or any special equipment is feasable, even if not optimal.

Sounds like it is.

Now I'll have to do some shopping.

Thank you Buggs41 and TDC57.

dark_rising76 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2010, 04:56:25 AM »

I was going to do something very similar to what Skizriz did after I saw a few products at Walmart that could work, but then I saw this site:

http://polishyourball.com/Home_Page.php

This week I hope the purchase the $39.99 package because I don't need all the extra stuff since I already have them at home.

Skizriz · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2010, 05:38:41 PM »

Polishing by hand is not the way to go for a lazy person. Not bad at first, but ends up with alot of buffing and saying "there's got to be an easier way".
I would always start by hand on the track area. Do a good job with it, then my laziness would kick in during the "unimportant" areas of the ball.LOL

I've used both Beans and Valentino's by hand. They are about equal in ease of use. Just not sure you can get the full benefit by hand. Seems like you need a little speed to get it burned in some.
Unless you are just looking for a very light touch-up polish.

--------------------
"I want to die in my sleep like my grandfather....Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car"

Author Topic: rediscovered polish; can I apply by hand? (Read 2074 times)

Neptune66

rediscovered polish; can I apply by hand?

Skizriz

Re: rediscovered polish; can I apply by hand?

Neptune66

Re: rediscovered polish; can I apply by hand?

TDC57

Re: rediscovered polish; can I apply by hand?

Neptune66

Re: rediscovered polish; can I apply by hand?

dark_rising76

Re: rediscovered polish; can I apply by hand?

Skizriz

Re: rediscovered polish; can I apply by hand?