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Author Topic: Home Made Ball Cleaners  (Read 9555 times)

An Old Has Been

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Home Made Ball Cleaners
« on: February 28, 2018, 10:53:58 AM »
I found a post about this; but the site suggested I start a "new" one.
I am curious about making home made ball cleaner and looking for opinions...
I see a lot of people say use Simple Green, and I also saw something mentioned like Super Orange and also Citrus Magic "Natural Orange".
And I wondered if something called "Oil Eater" orange degreaser was on the 'approved anything" list? - Or if anyone thought there was any difference between the three.
I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel but did want to get the best degreaser to clean my ball. 
I have read where people use these straight or mix then with anywhere from 10% to 50% isopropal alcohol.  I also saw where others say to use denatured alcohol.  It appears this aids in faster drying?  But I was curious about the difference between what denatured alcohol and regular alcohol does

So I'm just wondering what is the best "magic brew" to use to clean my ball.  Looking for opinions and maybe why you think your ideas are better than others.
Not that it matters for this discussion, but I tend to spray some cleaner on a towel and wipe my ball before every shot.
« Last Edit: February 28, 2018, 11:08:20 AM by An Old Has Been »
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HackJandy

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Re: Home Made Ball Cleaners
« Reply #16 on: March 01, 2018, 09:58:52 AM »
Quote from: MI 2 AZ on March 01, 2018, 01:49:25 AM
I used to buy name brand cleaners, then I tried some home-brew concoctions.  What I find that works for me is to use a micro-fiber towel to wipe the ball off between frames. 

Every so often (depends on the ball, the surface of the ball, how much oil is on your lanes, how often you bowl) put the ball in a bucket of hot tap water with Dawn, let it soak for 15 minutes or so (don't let the water cool), wipe the ball down and repeat as necessary to remove any oil.  Then do a re-surface of the ball.

I have tested the balls by putting them in the center revivor and a home-use bowling ball oven and have had little oil removed from the bowling balls with the above procedure.

Who knows, I could just be lucky so far?

Honestly I truly believe homebrew or brand name cleaner if you take the time to clean the balls within a few hours at most after every session you will find only a few drops come out in the revivor.  I wouldn't be surprised if even something like Windex works just fine as well.  I tend to only wipe my urethane balls between shots as they really get coated.  Got tired of losing shammy's and having to worry about where I put it between shots.  Still probably the way to go if your short term memory isn't damaged.
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scotts33

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Re: Home Made Ball Cleaners
« Reply #17 on: March 01, 2018, 10:07:12 AM »
I have never understood this issue.  Bowlers spend hundreds on equipment and then try an cheap out on an after bowling cleaner which needs to be done at the lanes after bowling. 

http://www.motivbowling.com/products/accessories/cleaners/power-gel-clean-16-oz.html  $10 for 16 oz's.  A 16 oz. bottle will last me all year bowling 3 leagues a week plus tourney's and practice.  I clean every ball afterwards with a small 3" line of cleaner on a white paper towel.  It removes all residual oil and white paper towels show dirt being removed.  I find Motiv's cleaner as good as anything else (past Remedy RX user).  Add to it that it's cream and if you have ever had a liquid bottle leak in your bag you know what I mean. 

$10 for a bowling season I bet most homemade brews with Simple Green and other purchased cleaners/degreasers have some money into them.  The only thing that's cheap is alcohol but c'mon $10 for a year....that is being cheap.    But as Sawbones used to say bowlers are cheap!   ;D 
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An Old Has Been

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Re: Home Made Ball Cleaners
« Reply #18 on: March 01, 2018, 10:17:36 AM »
Quote from: scotts33 on March 01, 2018, 10:07:12 AM
A 16 oz. bottle will last me all year bowling 3 leagues a week plus tourney's and practice.  I clean every ball afterwards with a small 3" line of cleaner on a white paper towel.  It removes all residual oil and white paper towels show dirt being removed. 

WOW how do you get by on 16 oz a year....  Like I said I bowl three times a week; and use about 1 oz per SESSION.
Of course I am sure that's more than "normal" because I spray my towel and wipe off the ball after every shot....
So 16 oz would be gone in 5 weeks.  That converts in over $100 / year and why I was looking for a cheaper alternative
I appreciate everyone's input 
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scotts33

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Re: Home Made Ball Cleaners
« Reply #19 on: March 01, 2018, 10:25:14 AM »
Quote from: An Old Has Been on March 01, 2018, 10:17:36 AM
Quote from: scotts33 on March 01, 2018, 10:07:12 AM
A 16 oz. bottle will last me all year bowling 3 leagues a week plus tourney's and practice.  I clean every ball afterwards with a small 3" line of cleaner on a white paper towel.  It removes all residual oil and white paper towels show dirt being removed. 

WOW how do you get by on 16 oz a year....  Like I said I bowl three times a week; and use about 1 oz per SESSION.
Of course I am sure that's more than "normal" because I spray my towel and wipe off the ball after every shot....
So 16 oz would be gone in 5 weeks.  That converts in over $100 / year and why I was looking for a cheaper alternative
I appreciate everyone's input 

When you use a cream and pour it from the bottle you don't over use the cleaner.  There is plenty on the ball and white paper towel to do the whole ball I put the ball on a ball cup on the counter behind the setee area and do the track first and then all over the ball.  Believe me I have to make sure I remove all residual cleaner.  There is plenty on the whole ball to do the job.  Bowlers that use spray products can use to much product. The American mind set of more is better kind of thing.  A 16 oz. bottle of Motiv cleaner is larger than other smaller available products for sale. 
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HackJandy

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Re: Home Made Ball Cleaners
« Reply #20 on: March 01, 2018, 10:34:34 AM »
Quote from: scotts33 on March 01, 2018, 10:07:12 AM
I have never understood this issue.  Bowlers spend hundreds on equipment and then try an cheap out on an after bowling cleaner which needs to be done at the lanes after bowling. 

http://www.motivbowling.com/products/accessories/cleaners/power-gel-clean-16-oz.html  $10 for 16 oz's.  A 16 oz. bottle will last me all year bowling 3 leagues a week plus tourney's and practice.  I clean every ball afterwards with a small 3" line of cleaner on a white paper towel.  It removes all residual oil and white paper towels show dirt being removed.  I find Motiv's cleaner as good as anything else (past Remedy RX user).  Add to it that it's cream and if you have ever had a liquid bottle leak in your bag you know what I mean. 

$10 for a bowling season I bet most homemade brews with Simple Green and other purchased cleaners/degreasers have some money into them.  The only thing that's cheap is alcohol but c'mon $10 for a year....that is being cheap.    But as Sawbones used to say bowlers are cheap!   ;D

Might have to look into that next time in the pro shop.  On Amazon its $14+ for 16 oz but for a gel might be well worth it (any cleaner under $1/oz especially a gel is looking attractive).  Don't mind spending a bottle a month even but on a lot of these ball cleaners you will spend more on the cleaner than the ball cost in two to three years tops.  As for simple green cost its cheaper than alcohol.  Diluted you can get 6 gallons for $10.  Which is why if for nothing else I am going to keep it around as a lubricant when I use my spinner.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2018, 10:47:05 AM by HackJandy »
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scotts33

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Re: Home Made Ball Cleaners
« Reply #21 on: March 01, 2018, 10:34:52 AM »
BTW Old Has Been.  I clean every ball after bowling I have never seen the need to clean the ball I was using after every shot.  I use a Shammy after a shot or a micro fiber towel.  IMO that's over kill spraying cleaner on ball after a shot frame by frame.  I always figured ball cleaner sales have said that to sell more cleaner. 

Also should add....I have never gotten out any residual oil in a Revivor even on dull surfaced solid cover medium-heavy oil balls by using this regimen of cleaning after bowling and using a micro fiber towel.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2018, 10:37:50 AM by scotts33 »
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