win a ball from Bowling.com
« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2

Author Topic: acetone: is it safe?  (Read 11587 times)

lilpossum1

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1019
acetone: is it safe?
« on: January 27, 2014, 10:31:31 PM »
Is it safe to clean a ball with? I have heard it damages balls, but I have also heard that is only older balls. A lot of pro shops clean glue off of balls with acetone. Thanks in advance for answers
Logged

 

bcw1969

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 549
Re: acetone: is it safe?
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2014, 10:46:20 PM »
If I remember right, acetone is not usbc approved.

Brad
Logged

BallReviews-Removed0385

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 0
Re: acetone: is it safe?
« Reply #2 on: January 27, 2014, 11:41:56 PM »

No, it's only used to clean glue on small areas.  It's way too harsh to be using as a ball cleaner.
Logged

charlest

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24526
Re: acetone: is it safe?
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2014, 04:46:00 AM »
It's not only illegal, it is also very dangerous. EXTREMELY flammable and not safe for human contact, no matter what anyone says. There are tons better ways and liquids to clean balls. Acetone basically melts members of the plastic family which includes urethane and resin.
Logged
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

Elimeno Pee

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 616
Re: acetone: is it safe?
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2014, 05:28:28 AM »
Plus acetone smells like a$$
Logged
Wise bowler told me once: K.I.S.S.   Keep it simple stupid.

Hyper Cell
Freak
Freak Out
Profit
Totally Defiant
Pursuit
C-System Versa Max
Defiant

Elite279_10

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 14
Re: acetone: is it safe?
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2014, 08:23:08 AM »
I'd stay away from that stuff.  Ka-BOOOOOM :o
Logged
Elite Arsenal

Echo
Treason

Motiv

Primal Scream
Primal Rage
Thrash Frenzy
Tribal
Ascent

lilpossum1

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1019
Re: acetone: is it safe?
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2014, 08:34:50 AM »
I think this about sums up the question. Thank you. Change of topic, but I heard a hot water bath is also bad. Is this true?
Logged

BallReviews-Removed0385

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 0
Re: acetone: is it safe?
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2014, 08:59:35 AM »
Although I have not used the hot water bath method, I would presume it to be harmless. 
When I watch oil pouring out of balls for hours in our Revivor, I wonder how much you're really getting out of the ball with hot water, but it's probably safe.

« Last Edit: January 28, 2014, 09:02:27 AM by notclay »
Logged

Steven

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7680
Re: acetone: is it safe?
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2014, 09:41:10 AM »
Quote from: notclay on January 28, 2014, 08:59:35 AM
Although I have not used the hot water bath method, I would presume it to be harmless. 
When I watch oil pouring out of balls for hours in our Revivor, I wonder how much you're really getting out of the ball with hot water, but it's probably safe.


Yep, the beauty of a Revivor type extraction is that it's observable and measurable -- there are no guesses or assumptions about how much oil is actually extracted. The method has enough of a track record and manufacturer study to be determined safe if appropriate temperature settings are used.


To the topic, acetone is a big no-no for cleaning. As already mentioned, it's too strong a solvent. There are too many other safe and effective alternatives.
Logged

avabob

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2779
Re: acetone: is it safe?
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2014, 10:02:43 AM »
Hot water is not only safe, but one of the best ways to revive an oil soaked ball.  While it is a bit messy, about 3 baths in a large bucket of 120-130 degree water, wiping the ball dry after about 10 minutes each time will remove a lot of oil.  The key is that most hot tap water is about 20 degree too cool to be really effective.  You need to get water near boiling and add half hot tap water and half stove heated water to each bucket.  Nothing wrong with a reviver, but hot water is inexpensive and anyone can do it at home

My ball driller discovered this method years ago.  He brought back an old PK 18 shell that I had about 200 games on, and it acted like new.   
Logged

Gizmo823

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2167
Re: acetone: is it safe?
« Reply #10 on: January 28, 2014, 10:47:28 AM »
Exposing a ball to those temperatures for the period of time it takes to get all the oil out really isn't good on them . . but the temperature is the right range.  It just takes a lot of effort a time to keep it there.  Depends on how much your time is worth. 

Quote from: avabob on January 28, 2014, 10:02:43 AM
Hot water is not only safe, but one of the best ways to revive an oil soaked ball.  While it is a bit messy, about 3 baths in a large bucket of 120-130 degree water, wiping the ball dry after about 10 minutes each time will remove a lot of oil.  The key is that most hot tap water is about 20 degree too cool to be really effective.  You need to get water near boiling and add half hot tap water and half stove heated water to each bucket.  Nothing wrong with a reviver, but hot water is inexpensive and anyone can do it at home

My ball driller discovered this method years ago.  He brought back an old PK 18 shell that I had about 200 games on, and it acted like new.
Logged
What would you be if you were attached to another object by an inclined plane, wrapped helically around an axis?

Gizmo823

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2167
Re: acetone: is it safe?
« Reply #11 on: January 28, 2014, 10:48:25 AM »
And as far as the acetone too, the stuff evaporates so you gotta keep the lid on it!  The fumes are toxic, and yeah, the only use for it is to remove glue and other things that are difficult to remove. 
Logged
What would you be if you were attached to another object by an inclined plane, wrapped helically around an axis?

xxmel44

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 1
Re: acetone: is it safe?
« Reply #12 on: January 28, 2014, 03:37:28 PM »
I can tell you acetone is not safe it is volatile!!! I was cleaning a ball lane oil and some glue cleanup and the mixture of fumes ignited by a LED light and small fireball. So don't think acetone is safe.
 :-[ :(
Logged

Long Gone Daddy

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5471
Re: acetone: is it safe?
« Reply #13 on: January 28, 2014, 04:37:29 PM »
Quote from: lilpossum1 on January 28, 2014, 08:34:50 AM
I think this about sums up the question. Thank you. Change of topic, but I heard a hot water bath is also bad. Is this true?

Not only safe but extremely effective.  Mo Pinel even recommended it for Mo-rich bowling balls.  Really easy and mess free if you own a dishwasher.  Google dishwasher to de-oil ball.  Been covered many times.  Depends on what you have on hand and how much you like to spend money you don't need to.
Logged
Long Gone also posts the honest truth which is why i respect him. He posts these things knowing some may not like it.

Mainzer

lilpossum1

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1019
Re: acetone: is it safe?
« Reply #14 on: January 28, 2014, 04:51:51 PM »
Thank you all for your input!
Logged
Pages: [1] 2
« previous next »