BallReviews

Equipment Boards => Hammer => Topic started by: Pincrusher on May 31, 2006, 10:13:11 AM

Title: Alcohol
Post by: Pincrusher on May 31, 2006, 10:13:11 AM
How often should I clean my balls with Alcohol? Every 3 games? 6, 10, 20 ??? Thanks...
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Crush them don't knock them down!!!
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by: Strider on May 31, 2006, 06:24:32 PM
Never.  While it won't hurt, alcohol doesn't do much for oil and grease.  If you don't want to buy one of the dedicated bowling ball cleaners, use diluted Simple Green or a citrus based degreaser to clean the ball, then use alcohol afterwards to clean any remaining residue.  For me, the duller it is, the more often it needs to be cleaned.  I'd clean something dull every 3 or 6 games; polished equipment maybe every 12-15 games.
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Penn State Proud

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive (http://"http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm")
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by: shelley on May 31, 2006, 06:30:56 PM
It's not the best cleaner, but I'd use it after every set before you put the ball in the bag.  Mild cleaners, whether alcohol, Simple Green (which is pretty stout), or whatever, should be used after each set.  If you let the oil sit on the ball every other week, it'll still soak in.

SH
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by: Panic on May 31, 2006, 06:39:10 PM
i would go buys some Legends Cleaner, its worth the money. does a better job than just alcohol
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Lukas  

\M/ METAL MILITA \M/

www.bowlingkingdom.com




Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by: anotherwindup on June 01, 2006, 07:45:11 AM
Ebonite Powerhouse cleaner should be used on all Ebonite and Hammer covers.  

Alcohol never.
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Jason Jenkins
'05-'06 Hammer Amateur Staff
'06-'07 Hammer Amateur Staff
"Nothing HITS like a Hammer"

http://www.hammerbowling.com/hammertalk/forumdisplay.php?f=2
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by: Pincrusher on June 02, 2006, 11:44:23 AM
Strider how would you use simple green? And the cover is 4000 grit abralon so would it be a dull or polished? Thanks...

anotherwindup my coach tells me to use alcohol every week, acetone every month, and every two months to bring the ball in to use ebonite's Powerhouse. So alcohol will hurt the cover? Thanks...
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Crush them don't knock them down!!!
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by: shelley on June 02, 2006, 11:55:53 AM
4000 grit Abralon is not polished, though it's fine enough to look it.  Even 1500-2000 grit has a lightly polished look to it.

As for the SG, use it like any other cleaner.  Spray it on a rag and wipe.

Your coach is telling you to use an illegal cleaner.  Acetone should not be used on a ball you use in sanctioned competition, and it's been illegal for some time.  I'm sure your coach is aware of that and just doesn't care, and there's probably little you can do to stop him, but you are breaking the rules using acetone.

Standard acetone disclaimer: We get this every other month.  It's illegal.  It's a very strong cleaner and does a very good job (so I've heard).  Every shop keeps some in the back for getting belt marks and glue off a ball.  Doesn't make it right.  It's illegal and that's the end of it.  Doesn't matter if the rule is outdated, if it really doesn't have an effect on the surface or integrity of the ball.  It's illegal, period.  You don't like the rule, get it changed.  Or be a dirty, filthy, stinking cheater.

Alcohol or an SG mix after each set is a good idea, with a monthly or bi-monthly cleaning with a real strong cleaner is an excellent maintenance regime.  

SH
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by: Pincrusher on June 02, 2006, 12:04:16 PM
Thanks shelley. Is acetone illegal for tournaments or for everything like legues, pratice, etc...? And when you say a monthly cleaner would you recommend Powerhouse energizer? Thanks...
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Crush them don't knock them down!!!
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by: shelley on June 02, 2006, 12:14:01 PM
Illegal period.  "Not acceptable at any time" is the phrase the USBC uses.  There are plenty of cleaners labeled "Acceptable at any time" (meaning you could clean with it between the first and second balls of the fifth frame if you wanted to) and "Acceptable before or after competition", meaning once the first ball is thrown, you can't use it, even on a ball you haven't used yet or won't use again.  Use it before league starts for the night or after you finish, but not during.  Same for tournaments.  Before your squad or after, not during.

Acetone and many others are never ok.

I've got a bottle of Energizer (smells like oranges?) that I don't like.  Others have had a lot of success with it, but it's not my favorite.  I might be doing it wrong.  Track's Clean 'n' Dull is a good cleaner, works on polished or dull balls without changing the surface finish (leaves polished balls polished).

SH
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by: Pincrusher on June 02, 2006, 12:21:18 PM
ok thanks...
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Crush them don't knock them down!!!
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by: Pincrusher on June 02, 2006, 12:33:38 PM
anotherwindup---- Is Powerhouse energizer better to get than the Powerhouse cleaner? And how often do you use the Powerhouse energizer???
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Crush them don't knock them down!!!
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by: HammerHombre on June 02, 2006, 01:35:55 PM
the powerhouse energizer cleaner is a citrus based cleaner and in my opinion is better than anything else!!!
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Chris Heringer
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hammer Amateur Staff Member

Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by: duvallite on June 02, 2006, 06:38:55 PM
My process is to use 99% isopropyl alcohol as the first cleaning step, because it really helps remove stubborn belt marks, and then I clean thoroughly with Clean n Dull.  This method has worked VERY well for me, imho better than just using either one by itself.  I usually do my cleaning no later than the next morning after bowling.
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by: cnimsk on June 02, 2006, 07:14:04 PM
I use Track's Clean N Dull. Works just fine for me. That's if you're referring to bowling balls. AS far as my balls are concerned...soap is what I use, daily!

Chuck