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Metal_rules

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ball cleaner ?
« on: February 03, 2009, 02:00:34 AM »
i was told that i could use nail polish remover w/acitone to clean my ball. has anyone else used this before. if so is it ok for all balls, solid and pearls?
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Sir Bowl-A-Lot

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Re: ball cleaner ?
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2009, 10:04:29 AM »
I wouldn't use it...
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echidapus

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Re: ball cleaner ?
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2009, 10:25:03 AM »
What happens to the ball if the cover of it softens?  Under reacts?
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leftyinsnellville

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Re: ball cleaner ?
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2009, 10:33:52 AM »
I believe that the ban of acetone came as a result of some pro from way back in the day soaking his balls in acetone to soften them up. (To increase traction?)

Acetone evaporates very quickly and I doubt it would soften a ball coverstock even with regular cleanings, as long as it was applied using a paper towel or other equivelant.  

I keep acetone on hand to remove excess superglue from around the edges of fingergrips and to spot clean really stubborn gunk from the occassional filthy lane.  I've never seen anything to indicate that it damages or modifies the coverstock in any way, shape, or form.
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JohnP

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Re: ball cleaner ?
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2009, 11:00:53 AM »
quote:
I believe that the ban of acetone came as a result of some pro from way back in the day soaking his balls in acetone to soften them up. (To increase traction?)


The time was 1972 or 73, the bowler was Don McCune, and the solvent of choice was methylethylketone (MEK).  After word got out of what was going on, the ABC acted quickly to establish a hardness specification on ball covers.  The thought of motel rooms blowing up from 5 gallon buckets full of MEK and bowling balls provided the incentive.  But this is what sparked the revolution in bowling ball cover technology that resulted in the Sur-D-Pro (spelling may not be right, and original was made illegal by the hardness spec), Yellow Dot bleeder, then urethane and ultimately reactive resin.  --  JohnP
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charlest

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Re: ball cleaner ?
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2009, 11:35:31 AM »
quote:
i was told that i could use nail polish remover w/acitone to clean my ball. has anyone else used this before. if so is it ok for all balls, solid and pearls?


In addition to all the other reasons not to use nail polish remover, it also has some oil in it to soften the lady's hands after subjecting them to the harsh drying effect of acetone. I'd think you don't want more oil in/on your ball.
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Sir Bowl-A-Lot

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Re: ball cleaner ?
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2009, 11:49:59 AM »
quote:
I believe that the ban of acetone came as a result of some pro from way back in the day soaking his balls in acetone to soften them up. (To increase traction?)

I bet that stings a bit...
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spmcgivern

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Re: ball cleaner ?
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2009, 11:53:37 AM »
quote:
quote:
I believe that the ban of acetone came as a result of some pro from way back in the day soaking his balls in acetone to soften them up. (To increase traction?)


The time was 1972 or 73, the bowler was Don McCune, and the solvent of choice was methylethylketone (MEK).  After word got out of what was going on, the ABC acted quickly to establish a hardness specification on ball covers.  The thought of motel rooms blowing up from 5 gallon buckets full of MEK and bowling balls provided the incentive.  But this is what sparked the revolution in bowling ball cover technology that resulted in the Sur-D-Pro (spelling may not be right, and original was made illegal by the hardness spec), Yellow Dot bleeder, then urethane and ultimately reactive resin.  --  JohnP


Spot on.  I remember my dad using MEK for bowling in the seventies.  I also still have a Sur-D-Pro that punches 58.  

Anyway, here is a Sports Illustrated article that appeared in 1973 (back when bowling was king) describing McCune's use of MEK.

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1087795/index.htm
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raiderh20boy

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Re: ball cleaner ?
« Reply #8 on: February 03, 2009, 12:09:44 PM »
Thanks spmcgivern for bringing a little moisture to my eyes!!! I was one of those guys trying to figure out what turned Dons' game around so dramatically!!
GEEZE!! Those were so great times!!!

Edited on 2/3/2009 1:10 PM
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Metal_rules

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Re: ball cleaner ?
« Reply #9 on: February 03, 2009, 12:19:08 PM »
i have been using tracks "clean and dull"  - so i will continue with this.
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