Clean and Dull does not affect the surface roughness... Despite the word "dull" in the name.

Renew-It? 99.9% sure that it doesn't affect surface texture either.

BUT

Using either of these products on the high speed setting on a spinner might result in a glossier appearance...

Renew-It:

Very interesting "compound". I know it does contain a portion of Hook-It, their most intense cleaner. So when you use RI, it will also do some degree of cleaning, a pretty good degree. That is what restores the "tac" to a ball.

I believe its main purpose was intended to be as a polish. So with polish and real cleaner in it, it will "restore" polished balls, both solids and pearls.

Now, in the past, bottles of Renew-It used to have a statement on them, to the effect, that they will finish a ball to 2000 grit. As you all well know, no polish does that specifically. The degree of shine and surface finish ALWAYS depends on the polish used, the amount you use, the amount of pressure you apply and for how long you spin it with that pressure.

But the fact that they referenced a specific grit level indicates a certain degree of abrasiveness. All polishes contain some amount of micro-abrasive, according to one industry professional I know. But I'd suspect the amount in Renew-It is fairly low.

Clean and Dull has ZERO abrasives in it. It is only a deep cleaner. Something else is producing that shine. It could very well be the towel you use, especially if it's a micro-fiber and you're applying a lot of pressure. (I believe the PBA, at one point, was considering banning the use of micro-fiber towels during bowling because they are rough and abrasive.) You will probably actually do more cleaning and more thorough cleaning with Clean and Dull if you apply it by hand. Try this process for using C&D:
- use a nitrile or plastic glove to protect your skin..
- put the ball on a cup to hold it, better yet on the spinner's cup, so you can easily rotate it with the other hand that's not doing the rubbing.
- put about a half-dollar sized dollop on a good paper towel. I use Bounty.
- rub the top half - 2/3 of the ball with one hand, medium pressure, while slowly turning the cup holding the ball with the other.
- do this for 45 - 60 seconds, keeping the ball wet with C&D. Put a little bit more on the towel if necessary.
- dampen a clean paper towel and wipe the ball thoroughly.
- Wipe the wetness off the ball with a third paper towel.
- Rotate the ball 180 degrees top to bottom and repeat the process on the 2nd half of the ball.

Sanded balls will stay dull; polished balls will stay polished.

This is the process described on the original bottles of C&D manufactured by APP and marketed by Track. Why Powerhouse (Ebonite) changed the directions, I do not know. I certainly hope Ebonite has not changed the formula for C&D. I still use the Track bottles of C&D.

Since we are discussing Neo-tac cleaners, I have a question about Hook-it. I've used this cleaner in the past and thought it did a great job cleaning and making my bowling ball super tacky, I didn't enjoy the grapish scent it had but that's another story. Anyway does Hook-it alter the oob surface of the ball at all to give that super tacky feeling?

Personally, not that I am aware of. It used to be approved for use during bowling and it could not have been if it did alter the surface.

Renew-It:

Very interesting "compound". I know it does contain a portion of Hook-It, their most intense cleaner. So when you use RI, it will also do some degree of cleaning, a pretty good degree. That is what restores the "tac" to a ball.

I believe its main purpose was intended to be as a polish. So with polish and real cleaner in it, it will "restore" polished balls, both solids and pearls.

Now, in the past, bottles of Renew-It used to have a statement on them, to the effect, that they will finish a ball to 2000 grit. As you all well know, no polish does that specifically. The degree of shine and surface finish ALWAYS depends on the polish used, the amount you use, the amount of pressure you apply and for how long you spin it with that pressure.

But the fact that they referenced a specific grit level indicates a certain degree of abrasiveness. All polishes contain some amount of micro-abrasive, according to one industry professional I know. But I'd suspect the amount in Renew-It is fairly low.

Clean and Dull has ZERO abrasives in it. It is only a deep cleaner. Something else is producing that shine. It could very well be the towel you use, especially if it's a micro-fiber and you're applying a lot of pressure. (I believe the PBA, at one point, was considering banning the use of micro-fiber towels during bowling because they are rough and abrasive.) You will probably actually do more cleaning and more thorough cleaning with Clean and Dull if you apply it by hand. Try this process for using C&D:
- use a nitrile or plastic glove to protect your skin..
- put the ball on a cup to hold it, better yet on the spinner's cup, so you can easily rotate it with the other hand that's not doing the rubbing.
- put about a half-dollar sized dollop on a good paper towel. I use Bounty.
- rub the top half - 2/3 of the ball with one hand, medium pressure, while slowly turning the cup holding the ball with the other.
- do this for 45 - 60 seconds, keeping the ball wet with C&D. Put a little bit more on the towel if necessary.
- dampen a clean paper towel and wipe the ball thoroughly.
- Wipe the wetness off the ball with a third paper towel.
- Rotate the ball 180 degrees top to bottom and repeat the process on the 2nd half of the ball.

Sanded balls will stay dull; polished balls will stay polished.

This is the process described on the original bottles of C&D manufactured by APP and marketed by Track. Why Powerhouse (Ebonite) changed the directions, I do not know. I certainly hope Ebonite has not changed the formula for C&D. I still use the Track bottles of C&D.

You are a vault of information, brother.  Thanks!  Looks like I should stick to the C&D or Hook-It.  I don't want to change the surface.